Conference of CSOs urges PM not to delay result of peace talks

Dimapur, Nov. 22 (EMN): The Conference of the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) of Nagaland has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to expedite the result of the Naga peace talks, stating that 25 years of negotiations have taken an immense toll on the people of the state.

The statement from the Conference of CSOs to the PM was undersigned by Theja Therieh, convenor, Nagaland People’s Action Committee (NPAC); Imsumongba Pongen, co-convenor, NPAC; Akhu Naga, secretary, NPAC; Sahlem Konyak, president, Nagaland GB Federation (NGBF), Shikuto Zalipu, convenor peace committee NGBF; T Lanu Imchen, president, Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC); Toniho Yeptho, president, Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC); Nribemo Ngullie, general secretary, NTC; Tia Longchar, convenor, Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT); Dr. Khanlo Magh, president, Senior Citizen Association of Nagaland (SCAN); Johua Sumi, president, Ex-Parliamentarian Association of Nagaland (Ex-PAN); and Dr. Khekugha, president, Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) on November 18.

“By any standard, be it physical developments or be it the wellbeing of the citizens, Nagaland has retrogressed by decades under the weight of elongated negotiations. Should the negotiations become a fiasco, despite the stupendous sacrifices of the general public of Nagaland, it could only rub salt to the injury,” a statement on Tuesday said.

While acknowledging the Prime Minister for his initiatives to bring the political negotiations between the GOI and the Naga negotiators to the level of inclusiveness, it also urged to give a call to the two Naga negotiators to respond “as it is time for any negotiator to take it or leave it.”

’25 years of political negotiation is a long time and therefore, the GOI or the Naga negotiators should not take the people for a ride. We all know that there can never be a better opportunity for the GOI to resolve the decades old Naga political issue than what is now at the disposal of the Naga negotiators. If 25 years of investment in the peace process cannot bring out any solution, we see no reason as to why it cannot be recalled and let the people decide its own destiny,’ it said.

Further, it said that the ceasefire and the political negotiations are ‘but a means and not an end’.

“When any Naga political group is given further extension of ceasefire, the GOI has to provide funds for its maintenance as the public of Nagaland are no longer capable to bear the brunt of inordinate negotiations indefinitely,” it read.

“We, the people of Nagaland, believe that the process of negotiations during the last quarter of century have bridged the gaps, the contours of contentions leveled and left nothing unturned except the signing of the agreement. The very end of these exercises is the political solution.

“ Whereas we, representing the Naga public and its voice, assure you that we are ever ready to welcome the solution which is in the interest of both India and Nagas,” it added.