Nagaland’s lone Lok Sabha MP calls for unified Naga voice for early political solution

KOHIMA — Lok Sabha MP and Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) President, S Supongmeren Jamir, called for unity among the Naga people to push for the long-awaited implementation of a Naga political solution.

Speaking at a press conference at the Congress Bhavan in Kohima, Jamir urged the hohos, civil society groups and NGOs to work together, exert pressure on the government of India, and engage with Naga national groups to understand and overcome obstacles hindering the final settlement.

While acknowledging positive steps like the 2015 Framework Agreement with the NSCN (IM) and the 2017 Agreed Position with the NNPGs, Jamir accused the government of India of employing “delaying tactics”.

The government of India had declared on October 31, 2019, that the peace talks were completed and the same was acknowledged in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly by the former interlocutor who was also the state governor, he maintained.

However, instead of implementing the agreements, the government changed the interlocutor and brought in a new era to further delay the settlement, he said.

The MP also underscored the need for clarity on contentious issues such as sovereignty, and the demand for a separate constitution and flag. He said that both the government and the negotiators need to be clear on what is possible or impossible, as well the hindrances.

Further, when they are facing a problem to pronounce the final settlement, it is the responsibility of all Nagas, including hohos, civil society organisations and NGOs, to actively engage by pressuring the Indian government and engaging directly with Naga negotiators to comprehend the root causes of the impasse, he said.

This unified voice, he argued, is crucial, rather than leaving the burden solely on the shoulders of the Naga national workers.

“Until and unless the Nagas come out in one voice, one platform to solve these two agreements of the Framework Agreement of 2015 and Agreed Position of 2017, the issue will be lengthy, and it will go on,” he maintained.

Furthermore, he expressed hope that the state government, with 60 MLAs committed to an early Naga solution and functioning as an opposition-less body to facilitate the process, would possess both the knowledge and the will to effectively mediate between the negotiating parties and bring about an early solution.

Additionally, he criticised the government’s claims of a successful peace process, particularly in light of the continued imposition of  the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, the lack of effectiveness of ceasefire monitoring groups, ongoing taxation by armed groups, and the formation of an opposition-less government, which he said is against democratic principles.

The MP reiterated his party’s commitment to an early and just solution to the Naga political issue and expressed willingness to work with any stakeholders toward this goal.

When asked about the recent ‘capital punishment’ sentence issued by the NSCN-K (Khango) group against a contractor, Jamir placed the blame squarely on the failure of government agencies, saying that the state government, as lawmakers, must bear responsibility. Had the ceasefire monitoring agencies been active, the situation would have been controlled to some extent, he added.

Meanwhile, the party president also announced that nine prominent leaders from various parties, including the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party, Bharatiya Janata Party and Naga People’s Front, from Phek district have joined the Congress.