Lay out a clear post-accord arrangement, NSF urges Naga political groups

Dimapur, Aug. 7 (EMN): Asserting that the Naga political issue has crossed the stage of indulging in political assumptions or interpretations, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has appealed to both the Naga groups engaged in negotiations with the Centre to lay out a clear post-accord arrangement, governance model and ideology which have been accepted by the government of India.

The federation issued a statement on Friday saying that a transparent deliberation “on what is best to be taken for the Naga society in the present political context” was needed in order to ink the final agreement.

“Our Naga political struggle is a people’s movement, therefore, it is the sentiment of the entire Naga youth and the Naga people in general to have a say by disclosing the agreed points and deliberate the points which is acceptable with the public in the present geo-political scenario, closely reviewing issues obstructing the early signing of the peace accord for permanent peace in the region. It is the wishes of the Naga youth in general and the Naga people that issues which need further deliberation and is a bottleneck to the peace accord be documented for Naga generations ahead to take the correct course of action. We are resolute that in the process ahead there can be no compromise on the unique history, identity, legitimate political rights and aspirations of the Nagas,” the statement read.

It cautioned against any short-sighted propaganda ‘with no clear landing ground or vision which facilitates ism, confusion and conflict in Naga areas’.

“The Naga public will respect whoever facilitates for the honourable solution and are also watchful to observe that in all Naga contiguous areas the armed struggle is put to rest, with space for unresolved issues to be pursued with the passage of time, without losing sight of the unique Naga political history and the cherished common dreams in the future to live together under the same nation,” it added.

The NSF also expressed sadness over the continued division among the Nagas ‘even at this crucial juncture of peace talks’. “The Indo-Naga political talk which has been consolidated with a delicate careful balance for an honourable and acceptable solution ensuring permanent peace in all Naga-inhabited areas is earnestly awaited by the general Naga populace,” it reminded.

The federation appealed to the government of India to make genuine efforts and have political will towards resolving the Naga political issue in the world; and the interlocutor to take the peace talks ahead with all seriousness, sincerity and empathy based on Nagas’ unique history.

“We are hopeful that there will be logical conclusion to the armed struggle that will meet the aspirations of the Naga youth for a permanent peace in all Naga-inhabited areas, thereby improving the quality of life. We are positive that post-accord there will be no room for any form of conflict or fear in Naga soil that will create space for draconian laws,” it stated.