Indo-Naga talks: Naga Hoho says time for negotiators to ‘rethink’

Dimapur, Aug. 2 (EMN): Even as August 3 this year marks the third year of the “framework agreement” having been signed between the government of India and the NSCN (IM), the Naga Hoho has stated that the Naga people’s hopes have been ‘crushed once again.’

“Different Indian agencies have been claiming that Indo-Naga peace deal is very much in advanced stage and the pact is likely to be signed any time. Our last bet for signing the agreement is during the ensuing monsoon session of Parliament, however we are fretting that it is likely to vanish into thin air again,” read a press release from the organisation on Thursday.

Restiveness exhibited by neighbouring communities, it stated, should not be a stumbling block to signing the final agreement. “Naga people shall not react to such destructive forces from both within and outside unless it is going to be costly for the Nagas as we are crystal clear that our Naga problem is an issue which involves both the national and international arena.

We have clearly stated from time and again that India must strike at the right opportune time to resolve the Indo-Naga imbroglio and we wonder what more better opportunity the GOI want other than the present political scenario,” the statement read.

According to the Naga Hoho, Naga people will not expect any political solution in many more years to come if it goes beyond September, 2018 considering the forthcoming parliamentary elections in India.

“We are also fully convinced that enough of negotiations and agreement have been done during the last 21 years of formal and informal political dialogues between the Naga political negotiators and the different Interlocutors on behalf of GoI. Even then, the GoI is unable to sign the peace Agreement, but is rather exhibiting an uncompromising attitude and flexibility on symbolic issues which are very dear to the Nagas.”

It is time for the Naga political negotiators to rethink whether to go ahead with the present system of negotiation or continue sitting in their cosy confinements in Delhi ‘as we believe that India is not prepared for honourable political solution,’ it stated.