Dimapur, Aug. 11 (EMN): The Lotha Hoho (LH) has voiced its opposition to the alleged campaign by some groups to change India’s interlocutor for Naga peace talks, RN Ravi.
The LH has expressed its support to the stand of the Nagaland GBs’ Federation (NGBF) and Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN) who have raised their resentment to the alleged campaign to change the interlocutor.
It questioned the rationale behind the move to “change the interlocutor and go back to zero; start everything afresh” after putting in so much effort, time thoughts etc. by all stakeholders. It also questioned if it is not an attempt to derail the near-solution process.
“If we change the interlocutor, it will be an attempt to undo all the 23 years of input into the negotiation on Naga political settlement and thus derail the process of settlement,” the statement said.
“The Nagas have shed much blood and have endured many storms and are now unwilling to go any further; although we are willing to pursue democratically; whatever unresolved issues remain to be settled. So why talk of changing the cart after the sight of the destination has come to view?” it asked.
It further stated that Ravi or any other interlocutor are ‘all human beings’ and cannot satisfy everyone’s aspiration. In this context, the hoho observed that Nagas would not get ‘another interlocutor better than Ravi’.
Stating that Ravi, after many years of involvement in the parleys, has digested the Naga political background, the long journey of the Naga struggle, the turmoil faced in that journey, understands the human aspects and all about the Naga aspirations, the hoho argued against the need to change the interlocutor.
Also stating that the Naga political movement had its roots in the Lotha soil and that many Lotha people have sacrificed their lives and suffered like any Naga, the hoho appealed to firmly commit to the cause of the Nagas and work for early solution rather than derailing it.
It further prayed that the Naga people, all negotiating groups and the interlocutor be blessed with divine wisdom for an honourable Naga solution.
