Nagaland legislators must take stand on Naga issue; resign en masse, says WC-NNPG

Dimapur, April 20 (EMN): The Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPG) has stated that the 60 members of Nagaland Legislative Assembly must take a stand on the Naga political issue and translate their words into action by resigning en masse for implementation of “the Indo-Naga Agreement”.

In a continuation of its previous statement issued on Tuesday, the WC-NNPG said that enough consultations have been held with Nagaland tribes, civil societies and Naga negotiating groups. It added that the stalemate in Naga peace talks remains despite number of committees and platforms been constituted to facilitate and assist the negotiators.

Taking a potshot at Nagaland legislators, the WC-NNPG stated: “To the misfortune of Nagas, all politicians are blessed, or rather cursed, with three tongues. One for themselves, the other for their party and the third for their future.”

Citing Former Governor RN Ravi’s announcement on the floor of NLA in 2020 that the negotiations had concluded, it asked if the facilitators were associated with anti-solution elements.

“The 2018 election slogan of ‘Election for Solution’ cannot be repeated in any manner. We will not accept a recycled slogan. The willful collective betrayal by political parties will naturally lead to serious repercussions. WC, NNPGs will take appropriate decision at an appropriate time. The treachery and deceit against the people of Nagaland have a price to pay,” read the statement.

It said successive state governments had claimed that they were ready to pave the way for Naga solution but don’t know “what transpires once they land in New Delhi”, adding that “they are elected by electorates of Nagaland, and not by Manipur Nagas, Arunachal Nagas or Assam Nagas”.

While acknowledging desire of the elected representatives to give a final push to usher in solution by forming an all-party government and the commitment given by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and United Democratic Alliance chairman TR Zeliang earlier this month to pave the way for solution, the WC-NNPG believe that it will be translated into action with the tenure of the incumbent government slated to end in the first quarter of next year.

It also expressed hope that the members of NLA will collectively put in their papers en-masse “to enable an inclusive transitional arrangement for implementation of the Indo-Naga Agreement, for an enduring peaceful coexistence”.

“This, we believe, will be a practical stance to prove who are, and who are not, for honorable and acceptable future of our children and grandchildren,” it added.

While recalling how ordinary Nagas staged a walkout at Kohima ground in 1954 after they were disallowed from airing their grievances to the then prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and his Burmese (now Myanmar) counterpart U-Nu, and the subsequent taking up of arms by villagers after Nehru flooded Nagaland with Indian Army, it said the Nagas today await ‘Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s sincere assurance to solve the Naga issue’. It added that Modi’s wisdom matter the most in the coming days.

“If co-existence, respecting each other’s history and right, as declared, in ‘Agreed Position’ is devalued, WC, NNPGs will have no option but to call upon the Naga tribes for public reiteration and reaffirmation of MAY 16, 1951 PLEBICITE for NAGA INDEPENDENCE. This is the original position of the Nagas,” it stated.

While claiming that the “Agreed Position” had calmed the nerves of Nagas, the WC-NNPG said the delay in striking a solution is breeding anti-social elements in Nagaland. “It is time for GoI to take the call,” it added.