Elements at work to sabotage signing of Indo-Naga agreement — WC, NNPG

India says ‘no more talks; no new political talks and ceasefire with any new group’

Dimapur, Feb. 22 (EMN): The Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (NNPG) on Monday claimed that “there are Naga elements at work to prolong and sabotage the signing of Indo-Naga agreement” and that various groups and organisations are spamming the media with “propaganda and fake news” to stay relevant and mislead the public.

In a press release issued on Monday, the WC, NNPG said that this was agreed at its meeting with the government of India’s Interlocutor for Indo-Naga political talks, RN Ravi, at Police Complex Chümoukedima in Dimapur, on February 20.

Stating that both the Nagas and the Government of India (GoI) are going through a testing time, it said Naga tribes and civil societies must stay focussed on the objective and not swayed by “propagandists” on Naga issue. It added that the GoI is formulating the Indo-Naga political solution based on a relationship that is honourable and enduring peaceful co-existence and the ‘Agreed Position’, which was signed in 2017, as well as subsequent negotiated status paper which are there for all to see.

“There is no ambiguity. Post-settlement, there is sufficient historical and political space and scope to reflect Naga characteristics in Naga areas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam through political and administrative measures even as integration of Nagas remains a democratic aspiration,” read the press release.

Assuring of “an inclusive solution”, it said Naga integration and other unresolved matters will be pursued through democratic political process and that safeguarding of ‘political, historical and administrative interest of Naga people and land outside Nagaland’ is an integral part of the agreement.

“There are elements fooling fellow Nagas in Manipur that WC, NNPGs is pursuing solution for Nagas of Nagaland. This press statement puts to rest their diabolical and self isolating agenda. Those who ran away from inclusive solution can only think and propagate exclusivity. The reasoning of 14 tribes of Nagaland, NTC, NGBF, ENPO, CNTC and minority communities and the rest of the Naga populace, including Nagas in other states and in Myanmar is not for anyone to question. Nagas are prepared for inclusive, acceptable and honourable political solution,” it stated.

The WC, NNPGs went on to say that the “negotiations have concluded with active participation and co-operation of the Naga tribes and customary guardians” and this is not the hour to waste time on abject propaganda.

Niki Sumi declined our invitation

The WC, NNPGs informed that it had sent an official letter to Gen. Niki Sumi to partner WC in the peace process, prior to reports claiming that he along with his followers had surrendered to the Indian army, but their “invitation was politely declined”.

On this matter, it said, the GoI has made it through its interlocutor that the political negotiations with all entities had concluded October 31, 2019.

“There will be no more talks. The question of starting new political talks with the new group or for that matter fresh ceasefire with any other group is ruled out. Gen. Naravane, the Chief of the Indian Army and his statement cannot be a concoction and therefore the Interlocutor confirmed the official position of the government of India in saying that Gen. Niki Sumi surrendered, currently numbering about hundred and twenty workers,” it said.

If the claim of the GoI is true, the WC, NNPG said Gen. Niki Sumi and his men should leave the political matters to Naga national leaders to bring home honourable and acceptable solution through political negotiations, and “refrain from encouraging and recruiting innocent people to join his band”.