Demand to replace India’s interlocutor Ravi unjust — Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation

Dimapur, Aug. 29 (EMN): Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation (NGBF) stated that the demand for replacement of government of India’s interlocutor for Naga peace talks, RN Ravi, was ‘unjust and untenable’ due to the fact that he is also the interlocutor with other negotiating group.

NGBF, which is the hereditary custodians of Naga customs and traditions in Nagaland, has issued the statement in the face of “alarming and malicious media publications on Indo-Naga political issues”.

The federation stated that the transparency and practical aspect of the negotiations between GOI and WC, NNPGs, without compromising Naga history, identity and political right in all Naga areas, being communicated to the tribes and public at the grassroots, has found favour with the people.

It stated that in the last 23 years of Indo-Naga peace talks, the GBs of Nagaland have stood for and supported inclusive, acceptable and honourable solutions for all Nagas irrespective of boundaries. It added that after the signing of framework agreement (FA) on August 3, 2015, between the GOI and the NSCN (IM) and Agreed Positions between GOI and WC, NNPGs on November 17, 2017, NGBF had appealed to all the negotiating parties to bring home honourable and acceptable political solution to the people.

NGBF also stated that it had met the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi in New Delhi and GOI interlocutor RN Ravi a number of times for early settlement of Naga problem.

The federation stated that the recent statements of the NSCN (IM) that described the 14 tribes, NTC, NGBF, CNTC and other civil societies as planted by Ravi and tutored by him has deeply hurt the sentiment of the Nagas.

“Logic says if RN Ravi, as NSCN (IM) alleged, planted or tutored stakeholders, he would never dare acknowledge or admit that the Nagas had political and historical right to self determine their future in consonant with their distinct identity. Not in a signed document,” the federation said. Stating that it was a great achievement, the federation credited it to Naga tribal hohos, GBs, churches and prayer warriors. It added that blaming Ravi or MHA has no basis.

It stated that Ravi was first seen by Nagas on TV, having a warm handshake with Th Muivah on August 3, 2015. It went on to add that just like the NSCN (IM), all the groups have different ideologies and policies and owe their origin to the very first undivided NNC. It said the only role the Naga civil societies, particularly the NTC, NGBF and churches was to bring sworn enemies to a common table where they could see eye-to-eye for the sake of Nagas.

The federation also alleged of perpetual tendency within NSCN (IM) leadership to brand Naga leaders, tribes, organisations, other civil societies as anti-Nagas and traitors for not towing their political ideology.

“This is a mockery of Nagaland for Christ. The statements contradict frequent fasting programmes and prayer requests seeking cooperation from Nagas. God fearing leaders should not insist their words and actions are final in the Naga context. The people’s voice and will is final. NGBF is opposed to dictate that stifles people’s sentiment. Nagas did not oppose British occupation and Indian occupation to finally be treated like expendable humans at the hands of fellow Nagas,” the statement read.

It added that brazen assassination attempts on politicians, bureaucrats, civil society leaders and wiping out of a generation of young local entrepreneurs post Shillong Accord in 1975 and after the split of NSCN in 1988 is still very fresh in the memory of the people. It, therefore, stated that leaders or groups with such tendencies must rethink and allow the wounds of the past to heal and not flare.