Naga issue: Zeliang urges caution in public statements

Dimapur, June 5 (EMN): Chairman of United Democratic Alliance TR Zeliang, on Sunday, urged Naga leaders and organisations to refrain from issuing public statements on the Naga political issue based on speculation.

Stating that various debates on the issue has resulted in misunderstanding and confusion among the Naga people, Zeliang said that unwarranted statements made by Naga leaders “which is outside the parameters of the on-going negotiation between the Naga negotiating groups and the Government of India will mislead the Naga people before the draft agreement is formulated by Government of India and placed before the Naga leaders”.

“In particular, over-ground Naga leaders who are under oath of allegiance to the Constitution of India must restrain themselves from making loose remarks on the matter.   

“We understand that everyone including Lawmakers and Public leaders have the right to speak out for common welfare of the Naga people. However, one should remember that unlike the 1960s when overground groups were part of the negotiation, it is the Naga Nationalist Groups who are part of the negotiation today,” it said.

Zeliang said that in 1960, negotiation had taken place between Government of India and the Nagas and the 16-Point Agreement was executed between both the parties without the consent of undivided Naga National Council (NNC).

“As such, the armed conflict continued till today. Therefore, the perception of the present day UDA Government is focused on inclusiveness- which means all the Naga Nationalist Groups should be part of the long awaited Peace Accord in order not to repeat the same mistake of the past.

 “It is important to appreciate the genuine efforts put in by the Naga negotiating Groups and the Government of India to bring about an amicable settlement to the Naga Political Issue,” read the statement.

It further stated that one should not believe that such a complex and sensitive issue will be inked secretly and imposed on the people.

“As desired by the Naga people, we trust and believe that once the negotiating parties have arrived at a common ground, they will surely consult all the apex tribal leaders and the State Government before inking the final accord.

“While it is widely understood that the two sides have agreed to most of the competencies and have arrived at a meeting point, it is premature to come to conclusion that some of the key issues which the Naga people aspire will not be included in the Agreement.

“There have been speculations that post-solution, the present State of Nagaland will cease to exist. This, as we understand, is absolutely wrong. Likewise, the assumption that the Ntangki National Park will be deforested by Government of India and allotted to Naga Nationalist Workers for resettlement is also outside the box of negotiation,” read the statement.

It stated that such demand was never placed before the Government of India by either of the negotiating groups, and it has been confirmed by both parties.

TR Zeliang’s video message:

“We are aware that the 60 MLAs of Nagaland have committed to pave way for smooth transition as and when a final settlement to the protracted Indo-Naga Political Issue takes place. However, the demand for resignation of democratically elected members at this juncture by individuals and certain section of the Society is uncalled-for.

“My dear brothers and sisters, we understand that every Naga leader has the right to tender his or her suggestion and advice but the same should not be shaped out of one’s desires to make an impact in the state political scenario and at the expense of the Naga political issue.

“Since formation of the UDA Government under the leadership of Sh. Neiphiu Rio, Chief Minister of Nagaland, we started working more vigorously towards Naga political solution by consulting negotiating Parties and Central leadership like the Prime Minister and Home Minister and at present, things are moving with positivity,” it added.

“We have conveyed the sentiments of the Naga Negotiating Groups to Central Leadership that Government of India should not change its stand from what had been committed to the Nagas in written through RN Ravi or AK Mishra because both represents Government of India, though in different times,” it added,

Zeliang further stated that both the Naga negotiating groups and the Government of India should not back out from what has been committed to each other, in written or verbal during the last 25 years, ‘so that the Naga people can expect the talks to come to a logical conclusion at the earliest’.