NPCC opposes piece meal solution

Dimapur, March 17 (EMN): With the Framework Agreement and Agreed Position in the pipeline towards finding an amicable solution to the vexed Indo-Naga political issue, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has vouched for an inclusive Indo-Naga political solution saying piece meal solution cannot be applied to other states.

While admitting that NPCC is not part of the negotiation with the government of India, its president K Therie stated through a press release that the negotiation teams know better.

“NSCN (IM) has been assuring early solution for 24 years. Early is not indefinite tense. There is time for everything. No solution, is the power that evades One Govt. One Tax. We have had enough,” Therie said.

Stating that 24 years of negotiation cannot be questioned, Therie said it is time for Nagas to have solution. He also expressed doubt if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government would ever implement the agreements.

“The Framework Agreement was hidden for years which we have tolerated. We came to learn its interpretation from the 213th report of the parliamentary standing committee on union Home Affairs which was tabled in Parliament on August 19, 2019. It says settlement will be within the union of India and that boundaries shall not be changed. It has also recommended generous economic package. Therefore, in the view of Parliament, the question of sovereignty and integration were ruled out," he stated.

Basing on the statement, NPCC has sought explanation from the NSCN (IM).

“NSCN (IM) continues to defend the Framework Agreement for fear of GOI but do it dare question the interpretation of the said Standing Committee of Parliament,” the state's Congress chief maintained.

When the issue of sovereignty and integration are ruled out of negotiations, there is no reason why Nagaland people should continue to suffer, it stated. It also appealed not to mislead the people anymore with Framework Agreement’s interpretation. It further went on to say that both sides understood each other’s respective positions and are cognisant of the universal principles of democracy.

It added that the stakeholders of Nagaland have made their position clear to the interlocutor on what was acceptable. As a stakeholder, NPCC demanded to implement the solution.

Meanwhile, NPCC expressed gratitude to Nehru for approving the 16 Point Agreement and for providing Article 371(A), which gave birth to statehood.

To set the record straight, NPCC stated that the 9 Point Agreement, 16 Point Agreement and Shillong Accord have political and economic commitment.

While stating that it has no political or economic commitment, NPCC has expressed willing to discuss on those issues an honourable solution.