Stagnation of Indo-Naga peace process detrimental, says NPMHR

Dimapur, Dec. 9 (EMN):  The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) has expressed concern over the lack of significant progress in the Naga peace talks since the signing of the Framework Agreement in 2015 and alleged that attempts have been made to retract from the intended spirit of the peace process by looking at the issue “from the prism of law-and-order concern rather than as a process for resolution of Naga political issue”.

This resolution was adopted at a meeting organised by the NPMHR on Friday in Delhi, commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in continuation of the ‘Save the Peace’ initiative.

“The house resolves that this stagnation and reversal of Indo-Naga peace process is detrimental to peace in the Naga areas. Given the geo-strategic significance of the Northeastern region of the country mishandling Indo-Naga peace process is unwarranted.

“The house, therefore, urges the Prime Minister to personally ensure that the peace talks are successfully concluded as per the provisions of the Framework Agreement. We believe that it is appropriate that the Indo-Naga peace process, which was initiated by the highest political leadership of the negotiating party, must be concluded accordingly at the Prime Ministerial level,” read the resolution.

The NPMHR informed that the meeting was attended by several organisations and individuals, including parliamentarians, legislators, lawyers, academics, human rights defenders and others from various Indian states.

It expressed happiness over parliamentarians assuring to help facilitate the Indo-Naga peace process.

The meeting began with a brief talk by the minister of State for Rural Development and Steel of India, Faggan Singh Kulaste.

Even as Kulaste maintained that he wasn’t conversant with the details of the current Indo-Naga peace process, he “invited the organisers to meet him along with documents so that he could reach their concerns to the leadership in the government”, it was informed.

Ex-Parliamentarians D P Roy and Shri Kirp Chaliha suggested that the Nagas meet the MPs, especially from the opposition to make them aware of the current situation, it said, adding that representatives of several political parties and organisations from various states extended solidarity with the cause.