Indo-Naga peace only through good governance — JD(U) leader

Our Correspondent
Kohima, June 30 (EMN): National President of Janata Dal (United), Member of Parliament, and leader of the JDU in Lok Sabha, Rajiv Ranjan Singh on Thursday said that peace to the Indo-Naga political issue can be achieved only by good governance.

“This is a long pending demand of Nagaland and we want a permanent and long lasting solution to this issue. It has to be addressed”, he said.

He was addressing a press conference in Kohima during the JD (U) national party leaders’ three-day visit to Nagaland as a tribute to Jaya Prakash Narayan, Member of Peace Mission.

The visit to Nagaland was “to assess” the situation in the state over the “long pending demand for peace” to the Indo-Naga political issue that is still yet to be resolved.

Referring to the BJP’s slogan, ‘election for solution’, made during the 2018 election, he said, after the completion of almost five years, ‘no solution has come’.

“Naturally, the people of Nagaland feel betrayed because they break down the commitment and solution has not come”, he added.

“The role of the state government is very vital in this regard. Ultimately, the state government has to maintain peace when there is a law and order problem in the land.  But we feel that the state government is not handling it properly”, he said.

Every group should be consulted to bring the solution to a final point, he said.

Permanent solution can be reached by consulting all the groups, the JD (U) leader went on to add.

The party would further “revisit” and “analyse” the situation and do whatever they can, he said. 

The JD(U) also met with various civil society organisations including Naga Hoho, Eastern Naga Peoples’ Organisation, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, Global Naga Forum, while stating that their visit to the state was also “to hear” the views of the different organisations. The party informed that it extended invitations to all the CSOs in the state.  The JDU leaders also paid a visit to Late AZ Phizo’s graveyard.

Urges negotiating parties to be sincere

In a press communique by the National General Secretary, Northeast In-charge, JD(U), Afaque Ahmad Khan, urged Naga people to be united and play a major role in the building of democracy as a major stakeholder.

“India needs the Nagas as much as the Nagas need India. An amicable solution is possible only on the basis of mutual trust. Hence, we urge upon the negotiating parties to work with absolute sincerity so that there will be no further delay to strike an honourable solution which shall safeguard the interests of Nagas and India”, he stated.

“Our party is of the firm view that armed confrontation will not bring any solution. We understand and appreciate that an Opposition-less government has been formed to work for an early solution to the Indo – Naga problem. However, it has not done justice. Except for meeting some top brass of the Government in power, they have failed to meet the other prominent political parties and legendary political figures and stalwarts of the country who can play a pivotal role in the solution process of the Nagas”, he added.

“As solutions cannot be found by getting bullied by one single political party and towing to their whims and fancies, our party believes that consultations should be broad based among various political parties who are stakeholders”, he stated.

Core Committee not well guided

The JD (U) further reminded the Core Committee on Naga political issue that the solution has to go through the parliament and needs the support of, if not all, at least the main prominent political parties. “It is unfortunate that the CCNPI is not well guided in understanding the political complexities of the nation vis – à – vis to an issue as vexed as the Naga Political problem”, it stated.

The JD (U) urged the UDA government to be “more sincere and visionary in their approach and not to take the Naga issue for their selfish pitiful gains”. 

The party demanded that a JP Peace Mission Memorial Park and museum be constructed at Kohima as a tribute to JP.

The two leaders were accompanied by Harshvardhan Singh, National General Secretary; and Members of Parliament, Kaushalendra Kumar, Ramprit Mandal and Shri Aneel Prasad Hegde led by JD(U) Nagaland Unit leaders Senchumo Nsn Lotha and Kitoho S Rotokha.