Nagaland CSOs urge Amit Shah to bring solution to Naga issue before election

Dimapur, Jan. 6 (EMN): Several civil society organisations in Nagaland demanded Union Home minister Amit Shah, who was on a visit to the state on Friday, to bring about solution to the Naga political issue before the state assembly election.

A joint representation signed by the leaders of Nagaland People’s Action Committee (NPAC), president and general secretary of NTC, ACAUT convenor and presidents of CNTC, SCAN, CNCCI and Ex-PAN stated that more than two decades of negotiations with the NSCN (IM) and WC-NNPG have taken a toll on the life and economy of the Nagas.

It stated that uncertainly looms large despite the conclusion of official negotiations in October 2019 and BJP’s slogan ‘election for solution’ before the 2018 state assembly poll becoming a “damp squib” with the term of current Nagaland Legislative Assembly expiring soon.

“We have lost our faith in the democratic process and therefore strongly demand Political Solution before the election. We assure you as the primary stakeholders that we will give our utmost cooperation towards implementation of the solution. We further urges the Government of India to take the decision as to whether the negotiations are brought to its logical conclusion in a solution or call it a fiasco as the indecision does not benefit any party,” read the representation.

NPAC expresses dismay

In a separate statement, the NPAC expressed shock and disappointment over the alleged attempt made by the state agency ‘to remove the banners demanding political solution before election’ and to sabotage the democratic exertion of the people during Home minister’s visit to the state.

“Facilitating solution on one hand and suppressing the people’s exertion on early solution on the other hand is not taken well. This double talk and action is the reason why the concluded talk cannot deliver the required solution. Therefore NPAC want to know the role of Facilitators in regards to Naga political issue,” read the statement.