JDU Nagaland deplores Nagaland Governor’s letter to CM

Dimapur, July 3 (EMN): The Janata Dal United (JDU) Nagaland was astounded to observe that the interlocutor-cum-Nagaland Governor RN Ravi has addressed the same groups of Naga nationalists, with whom he has been sharing common platform for the last several years, as ‘armed gangs’ running outlawed governments at par with the legitimately elected government.

Analysing the letter of Ravi to the chief minister Neiphiu Rio dated June 16, JDU Nagaland stated that it was unbecoming of an interlocutor, who has been advocating peaceful solution to the task he has been bestowed upon to accomplish and for which he has been time and again giving hopes to the Naga people.

“The said letter has already exposed his true self towards the peace process he has been undertaking. The letter is nothing short of a surrender to his responsibility,” JDU Nagaland’s statement through its publicity wing said. JDU Nagaland was saddened to see the revelation through the letter that the government of India’s interlocutor has given up hope of channelising a solution to the ongoing political dialogue between the Naga nationalists and the government of India. It added that the letter reflected a huge disappointment for the Naga people, who have high regards and hope on him.

JDU Nagaland also asked the governor what has stopped him to invoke his constitutional responsibility of recommending for President Rule if he is so convinced that the law and order has collapsed.

“Instead of trying to capture power through backdoor by way of asking files to be routed through his office in the name of law and order, the governor must be more courageous to act upon the letter he has written if he truly means it,” the statement added.

JDU Nagaland further felt that it was absolutely inappropriate for a constitutional head to participate in the functioning of an elected government by default.

NSCN/GPRN ridicules Governor

The NSCN/GPRN has ridiculed Nagaland Governor RN Ravi for what it termed as ‘his short term myopic achievements,’ and stated that the latter should publicly acknowledge his gratitude to the Nagas for his meteoric rise.

A statement from NSCN/GPRN military spokesperson Nikato Pilot Sumi stated that for nearly two centuries, Naga revolutionary movement for sovereign political rights and identity has been in continuous existence till date with no signs of abating. He added that Nagas fought the British for their distinctive sovereign rights way before the formation of India as a nation and the existence of the Indian constitution.

He went on to state that even at the heights of British Raj, the British logically decided to leave Naga areas outside the ambit of their constitution as excluded areas. He, therefore, stated that constantly threatening Nagas with articles of the Indian constitution is hilarity at best.

The spokesperson also advised Ravi to be sensible and add some humility to his ‘arrogant and insolent self belief’ that he can single-handedly solve the vexed Naga political issue where 13 former prime ministers of India had utterly failed for the past 70 plus years.

He also stated that Ravi’s comparing of “Indian gangs to Naga nationalists” only showed his ignorance.

“It’s only logical to respect Naga institutions and customs while you are in Naga areas, earning your livelihood,” the statement read. It further stated that Naga politicians, bureaucrats, NGO leaders and security forces in the “so-called” Nagaland state should make up their minds as to which of their confused identity or interest come first – Naga or Indian, adding that as per their choice, they would be treated either as Nagas or non Nagas.