Gaon Bura want piece of pie in Indo-Naga peace process

EMN
Dimapur, May 15

Claiming itself to be “custodian of Naga customary law, practices and its usages representing all the villages in Nagaland,” a group of local Gaon Bura (originally village runners, headmen) have said the “the present and consent” of the “village chiefs” is “very much important for any Naga political final settlement”.
This claim of the GBs was made to the interlocutor of the Indo-Naga dialogue, RN Ravi, recently during a meeting. Leaders of the Nagaland GBs’ Federation met with the interlocutor of the Indo-Naga dialogue, RN Ravi, in the state’s capital town, Kohima town, on May 14. The GBs issued a press release on Friday informing of the meeting as well as stating a number of opinions about the Naga political dialogue in a memorandum to the interlocutor.
“Shri. RN Ravi has narrated the peace process said that the talks is in progress and is trying to bring a final settlement of solution under the Prime Minister Shri. Narandra Modi at earliest as possible for an amicable solution though it may not be fully satisfied,” the organization stated in the press release.
“The topic of integration has not dropped so there should not be any suspicious to one another. I have come to meet all of you for cross correction from all organizations for your advice, suggestions and your opinions and so this is the beginning of our meetings,”(sic) the GBs explained in the somewhat confusing statement.
The Nagaland GBs’ Federation submitted a memorandum to the interlocutor for an early settlement of the Naga political issue. In the memorandum, the organization stated that the “Nagas are willing for an amicable settlement between the Government of India and Nagas”.
In the meantime, the organization stated, “from time immemorial the GBs are the custodian of Naga customary law, practices and its usages representing all the villages in Nagaland and as such, the present and consent of the village chiefs is very much important for any Naga political final settlement”.
During a meeting of various public organizations with the governor of Nagaland who sought an early solution to the “ceasefire talks”, he pointedly replied to them that the Nagas should clearly state as to what kind of solution they want on political issue, the GBs stated.
“However, we have not come out with a concrete decisions or suggestion therefore, we suggest to arrange round table conference by inviting all the Naga frontal organizations, tribal hohos, Naga Mothers’ Association, students, churches along with the Nagaland GB federation,” the organization stated.
“Today, the issue of sovereignty and integration is the subject discussion therefore, solution if any will bring us back to the first agreement signed between the government of India and the Naga leaders under the banner of NNC in 1947 known as 9 points agreement. But because of the GOI’s failure to fulfill its own commitment, the NNC decided to conduct the famous unilateral plebiscite on 16th May 1951,” the memorandum explained.
“Thus, began the long drawn conflict between the Government of India and Naga people resulting in heavy loss of lives and destruction for the last 65 years. Presently talks between GOI and NSCN for 18 years without any solution.”
If the Indian government desires “an amicable solution of the pending Naga political issue”, the GBs’ organization stated, “it must go back to the historical fact and fulfill all its commitments made to the Naga people for an honourable solution”.