Time has come for NSCN (IM) to take it or leave it — Nienu

Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 24 (EMN): The Leader of Naga People’s Front (NPF) Legislature Party, Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, on Tuesday said the Core Committee of the Parliamentary Committee on Naga Political Issue will have a meeting on Wednesday, after which they might sit with the leaders of NSCN (IM).

Nienu, who is also the Co-chairman of United Democratic Alliance (UDA), opined that the committee will have to tell the NSCN (IM) frankly during the meeting that: “Time has come for whether to take it or leave it”.

Sharing his opinion during an interaction with journalists on Tuesday, the NPF legislator said the NSCN (IM) went wrong the moment they signed the Framework Agreement (FA), which “sealed their fate”. Maintaining that the FA was within the framework of Indian constitution, he said is that’s the case, “integration is ruled out, Sovereignty is ruled out, flag and constitution is ruled out”.

Nienu then said, “We must appreciate the Government of India for trying to come out of that framework, the Framework Agreement and try to come to a conclusion by saying that the Yehzahbo will be incorporated in the constitution, and flag also, they are ready to recognise the Flag.”

He added that during the final inking, the government of India will “declare that day as flag day or Naga Day”, and either Prime Minister or Home Minister will to come to hoist the flag to be used in cultural programmes.

He opined that somewhere down the line the government of India had also gone all out to accommodate their request. “So I think now time has come for IM (NSCN-IM) also to say whether to take it or leave it,” he added.

Update on recent visit to Delhi

Sharing about the outcome of the four-member core committee delegation’s recent visit to Delhi, Nienu said that they met with the government of India’s interlocutor for Naga peace talks, AK Mishra, and a representative of the NSCN (IM).

He said the delegation had told the NSCN (IM) representative during the interaction ‘how long could Nagas continue to bear extortion, threat, intimidation; that everything has its limits; and that Nagas are fade up and something needs to be done’.

He added the representative would go back to Nagaland and consult with his colleagues and the collective leadership.

“Their (NSCN-IM) discontentment was that, RN Ravi’s offer was much better than A K Mishra, because in Ravi’s offer, there is a suggestion where the Naga-inhabited areas – Regional autonomous territorial council will be set up and funds will be provided directly to the territorial councils,” said Nienu, adding that Mishra’s suggested funds be given through the state which is below the Sixth Schedule.

In this regard, he said, the core committee leaders had appraised it to Mishra, who expressed willingness to go by what Ravi had offered and also address “any discontentment”.

He went on to state that the delegation also took on Mishra, hinting at the possibility of the Centre encouraging the Naga national workers to split into new factions, which in turn carry out extortion. On this, he said, Mishra denied its involvement and instead assured to check the menace.

On stitching final solution

The NPF leader said that Mishra also gave a rough idea of bringing the NSCN (IM) and the WC-NNPG together for the final inking of the settlement.

They were told that once an understanding is arrived at on the constitution and flag issue and if the NSCN (IM) can come to the terms of incorporating the Yehzahbo in the Indian Constitution and usage of Naga flag in cultural or local programmes, the government of India will look into the competencies clauses and what need to be done will be addressed.

On the Agreed Position signed by the WC-NNPG, he said there is nothing much to discuss as it is “already readymade and they have agreed”.

Mishra is said to have told the delegation that once the differences are hammered out, the government of India will compile the two — the competency clauses (FA) and Agreed Position –, compare and contrast, and then bring out a common draft.

To bring the insurgency groups together, the interlocutor suggested a joint meeting of the WC-NNPG, NSCN (IM) and NLA members and try to ‘do some modifications in areas where it is necessary’.

After finalisation, the paper will be put up in the public domain – to poll the opinion of the public, they were told.

Nienu went on to say that the delegation had told Mishra that it might be difficult for 100% Nagas to accept the proposed final settlement paper, so if 55% or 60% agrees, then the government of India should go ahead with it (in signing the final agreement).

‘President’s rule won’t bring solution’

With regard to demand for imposing President’s rule in the state if solution to Naga issue is not arrived at, the NPF legislator said solution is what all have been waiting for and if it comes, it is good, but President’s rule is not the answer. He added that the state will have to face another election if the final settlement isn’t sealed.

‘Election is imminent and cannot escape that; rather government of India also cannot escape,’ he said while pointing out that if President’s rule is imposed, the state will land in a ‘horrible situation’ worst than Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, wherein two union territories were created and Article 370 scrapped.

He went on to say that some friends might have uttered about imposition of President’s rule out of anger but that’s not the solution.

Meanwhile, he expressed optimism that the ongoing vexed Naga political issue will be ended and an agreement signed, stating that the NSCN (IM) are also aware of the people’s frustration and desire for peace. He went on to say that the people should think of the possibility of a civil war between the Nagas if the Naga issue is not resolved.

Core committee meeting today

Neiba Kronu, Member Secretary of Parliamentary Committee on Naga Political Issue, has informed that the core committee will hold a meeting in the State Banquet Hall, Chief Minister’s Residential Complex, at 2:30 pm on Wednesday and requested all the members to attend.