Neo-NPC on Indo-Naga political solution dangerous, says WC-NNPG

Dimapur, March 14 (EMN): The Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPG) has said that the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), which was formed last year to facilitate the Naga political solution, appears to be “traversing a dangerous uncharted territory” in the lines of the Naga People’s Convention (NPC) which was formed in 1957.

The WC-NNPG stated in a press release that the NPC achieved in getting statehood for Nagaland after talking to the then Indian Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru but not a permanent solution.

“Although these brilliant minds came up with a political proposal in the hope of ending conflict and bloodshed in Nagaland, the crime of stealing the people’s mandate and authority, right under the watchful eyes of Naga nationalist leaders, was neither forgiven nor forgotten as history records. It was a harakiri individually and collectively,” read the statement.

Likening the UDA to NPC, it said “conducting preemptive strikes in the corridors of power in New Delhi seeking, in their own words, ‘Highest Offer’ in the impending Indo-Naga political solution goes against the principle of Agreed Position”.

While appreciating the apex tribal bodies, civil society organisations and student bodies for playing the role of proactive partners in enabling them to initiate political negotiations with the government of India (GoI), the WC-NNPG stated that the facilitator’s role had ended with the conclusion of negotiation in October 2019.

“The onus lies with negotiators and GoI to fulfil people’s aspiration,” it said, adding that “The Indo-Naga issue is not an antique jewellery to be auctioned in New Delhi”.

The committee said that it has maintained a set parameter in its diplomatic conducts with Nagaland government as it’s an agent of the Indian constitution. While stating that the NLA members understand the sacrifices and commitment of the people as well as the national workers, it said “the imposed Indian electoral mandate and the sacrificial Naga people’s mandate for Naga political right are different subjects altogether”.

Recalling how the people had endorsed non participation in the Indian elections during the 2018 Nagaland assembly polls, but was conducted after the BJP adopted the slogan “Election for Solution”, the WC-NNPG said that the Nagas won’t be happy if election is announced in the state without an Indo-Naga political agreement.

It also took a dig at UDA Chairman TR Zealiang for reportedly seeking “the highest offer from GoI” and wondered if “he is facilitating or doing something else”. “With each passing day his media utterances sounds more like a third party negotiator in the Indo-Naga political talks!” it added.

“The UDA Chairperson, with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as an ally in the opposition-less Nagaland government, must bear moral responsibility should the 31st October 2019 declaration of conclusion of political talks by all negotiating entities, is kept in the backburner,” it stated.

“To hurt the Naga sentiment, ignoring the repeated appeal and demand of apex tribal bodies and civil societies, as history recalls, would invite the most painful humiliation for any leader,” it added.