Naga panel lauds NNPG; Neiphiu Rio-led regime inches ahead towards solution

NEW DELHI/KOHIMA: The Nagaland government headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Saturday inched ahead by making a concrete attempt to materialize or finalize a solution for the final peace pact.

The state legislators also reiterated their stance to step aside and "pave the way" for an early solution.

The Parliamentary Committee headed by the Chief Minister, which also has Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton, BJP's floor leader, for the first time placed on record their appreciation for 'positive initiatives' taken by the umbrella organization NNPG.

"The Parliamentary Committee welcomes the positive initiatives being taken by the Government of India and the Working Committees of the NNPG in regard to the ongoing peace dialogue between the Government of India and the Naga National Political Groups. The Committee also appreciates and welcomes the efforts made by the Naga political groups in taking the talks forward," a statement said at the end of the meeting in Kohima.

The panel threw the ball into the court of the Government of India, specifically urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to "invite" NSCN-IM bring about a final solution that is "honourable, acceptable and inclusive".

It appealed to the negotiating parties (that is the Centre, NNPG and NSCN-IM) to refer to the competencies as reflected in the Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015 signed between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM.

"Since the talks have been concluded officially on 31st October, 2019, the Hon'ble Prime Minister and the Hon'ble Union Home Minister are urged upon to invite the NSCN (IM) leaders for an early conclusion," the statement said.

It has been a rare occasion for the Rio-led dispensation to appreciate the role played by the NNPG (umbrella organisation of seven militant groups led by N Kitovi Zhimomi) and also to acknowledge publicly that the formal talks were completed on October 31, 2019.

Generally, an impression prevails that powerful sections in the present Nagaland government were biased towards NSCN-IM.

In fact, pressure would now mount on the NSCN-IM to review its stance on a separate flag and constitution -- the twin demands rejected outright by the Centre.

Officials in Delhi earlier said that the demands of separate flag and constitution were added by the NSCN (IM) post October, 2019 only as an 'afterthought exercise'.

The Parliamentary Committee, while welcoming the statements and observations made by various organizations and individuals calling for unity and early solution, appealed to all sections to refrain from making statements that may create misunderstanding and disunity, and that may stand in the way "of our common and collective endeavour to achieve genuine and lasting peace".

It said the state government and the Parliamentary Committee are not party to the Naga political negotiations and that it is playing the role of facilitator, representing and "reflecting the voice of the people; and this role will continue to be pursued in a serious manner".

"We stand by the commitments of the constituent political parties as reflected in their respective manifestoes to pave way in the event of a political solution being arrived at," said the statement signed by CM Rio, Deputy CM Patton, former CM TR Zeliang and NPF leader K Azo Niunu.

The stand of the parliamentary panel (comprising all 60 legislators) in effect reflects the power of people's pressure and wishes expressed by various influential organizations, including various tribal student bodies, the Nagaland Tribal Council and the Federation of Gaon Burrahs (village elders).

Everyone in the last couple of months has maintained that the inordinate delay in peace talks was not acceptable. (IANS)

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