Article 371 (A) ‘not very clear’ on multiple subjects — Kitovi

DIMAPUR — Naga rebel leader N. Kitovi Zhimomi of the pro-solution Naga National Political Group (NNPG) said that to a large extent, the Article 371 (A) — the basis for creation of Nagaland state — is “not very clear” about many important subjects.

“Please try to understand even socio-cultural matters such as the Urban Local Body matters have reached the Supreme Court because there is no clarity under Article 371 (A). Had Nagas were given power to legislate a law on ULB then whatever Nagaland legislative assembly decided that would have been final,” Kitovi told IANS in an interview.

“But the assembly was not given adequate power. So the confusion is there not only on land and resources but also on matters such as religion and customary laws. Earlier even criminal justice was based on customary decisions.

“These are the subjects on which the NNPG wants all to be independently handed over to the proposed Nagaland Federal Hoho as proposed in the Agreed Position inked between NNPG and the Centre,” he added.

The NNPG is an umbrella body of seven Naga militant outfits and is strongly in favour of signing of a final peace pact.

“The delay in peace talks is bringing in frustration. If Solution does not come, people will be more frustrated. We Nagas have now reached a critical stage of our history. For investments we need permanent peace. And for permanent peace, there is the need for Solution,” he said.

Answering questions, he said: “We have always reposed faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government. Therefore we have come forward for talks in 2017.”

The NNPG had signed a Deed of Commitment and Agreed Position triggering many hopes in the peace parleys. In the ‘Deed’ they had pledged among other things that the political dialogue between the Centre and NNPGs shall uphold the interest of the “Naga brothers and sisters living in Myanmar, Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.”

“We shall continue to extend fullest support and solidarity towards our Naga people irrespective of topography and habitation,” the Deed of Commitment had said.

He further explained: “At this given time, however, we may have all the rights under the sky, but we have to be practical. In 2017 itself NNPG has agreed to work out with the Centre on the details of relationship that would be enduring and also ensure peaceful co-existence considering the contemporary political reality.

“This means the world has changed and now more attention is given to economic sectors… So, we have to focus more on economic growth. That was our commitment. We further pledged to participate in the political process and also promote economic growth in the region and also how to protect our traditional rights,” he said, also referring to the proposal to increase the number of MPs — in both Houses of Parliament from Nagaland.

Kitovi claimed once a solution comes, Nagaland could have three MPs in Lok Sabha as against only one as of now.

The peace talks which reached its climax in 2019 October have been delayed after the NSCN-IM raised the issues of a Naga Flag and a separate Constitution for Nagas. The twin demands have been rejected by the centre more than once.

On these, Kitovi said, “The demands for Flag and Constitution are also dear to the NNPG. But we have to be realistic. The Indian Constitution does not allow such compromises by New Delhi… So, no double standards. Thus, I say Flag and Constitution have no relevance for economic prosperity. We have to call spade a spade. We have to stop bluffing our own people.”

By stating this, Kitovi in effect maintained that while rich mineral resources and land resources remain there “untapped”, the Naga people continue to be poor.

However, the seasoned militant leader-turned-peace proponent now says: “In no way I am downgrading Article 371 (A). It was an important piece of legislation in the 1960s…but things have changed and so now we are making a cause for a new Naga peace agreement which is based on the current situation and therefore our Agreed Position is more realistic and pragmatic and also future oriented.”

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