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RN Ravi speaks at an event in Kohima on Thursday evening. (EM Images)[/caption]
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Aug. 1 (EMN): Governor RN Ravi has expressed optimism that the long-standing Naga political issue would be resolved very soon—but under the condition that ‘Nagas stand united.’
Speaking at the reception organised by the Nagaland government on Thursday evening at the State Banquet, Ravi said he has embraced the responsibility given to him by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Indo-Naga peace talks ‘as the mission of his life.’
“Five years ago when Prime Minister Modi gave me the responsibility of resolving the long-pending Naga political issue, I could sense the touch of the unseen nursing me to fulfil the mission of my life,” Ravi said. “This is not a mere job. And I have been pursuing it as a mission of my life.”
“While I have no doubt that we will achieve what we all have been looking for, there cannot be a ‘no’ when you all are with me,” Ravi said while speaking on his responsibility as the interlocutor.
“It is the accumulative contribution of all that we have come so close,” Ravi said. He was thankful of receiving ‘immense love and cooperation’ from the Naga people. On assuming the gubernatorial role, Ravi said that it was just another journey for him, to share with Naga people.
“There is a window of opportunity for all of us, and Nagaland cannot afford to miss it,” Ravi said.
In his maiden speech as the governor of Nagaland, Ravi also voiced the need to let women become co-partners in the journey towards greater heights. “I think you will all agree with me that they (mothers and daughters) deserve better care and attention. We must not fail them, and we also must not fail the youth, or else, the future will not be kind to us,” he said.
High hopes, expectations — Rio
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, while welcoming Ravi as the governor, said that the entire Naga community is looking forward to Ravi’s tenure with high hopes and expectations.
“Being the interlocutor, Ravi has become a household name for the Nagas as he has come in contact with all the tribal leaders and has been closely associated with the Naga people for many years,” Rio said.
“The people across all Naga areas are crying out for peace and resolution of the several decades old Indo-Naga political conflict. Generations have been impacted by the political movement and all sections and conflicting parties have come to the realisation that talks across table with respect and honour for each other is the only way ahead,” Rio added.
An early negotiated political solution, that is honourable and acceptable to the people and one that upholds the political rights of the Nagas in a democratic manner is the need of the hour, Rio said. “You have our fullest cooperation and support in our collective aspiration of achieving lasting peace,” Rio assured Ravi.
“We hope that your coming to Nagaland will pave the way for the breakthrough that we have all been hoping for to ensure a final resolution for a political solution,” Rio said.
“We look forward to you becoming the driving force of not just the Naga peace process but we look forward to your leadership in all aspects of delivering good governance to our state whereby each citizen is able to contribute towards the nation building process,” Rio said.
Synonymous with peace talks—Zeliang
Opposition leader TR Zeliang said the state of Nagaland is fortunate to have a governor in the person of RN Ravi whose name and identity has become synonymous with the Indo-Naga political issue.
“It was only after over 80 rounds of peace talks spanning several years that the Framework Agreement was signed with RN Ravi as the interlocutor. It is without doubt that his role and contribution towards the Indo-Naga political solution leading to the signing of the Framework Agreement between GoI and the NSCN/GPRN on August 3, 2015, which is now joined by 7 NNPGs, will go down the annals of history as a landmark achievement,” Zeliang said.
Zeliang was optimistic that the appointment of RN Ravi as the governor of Nagaland will facilitate and speed-up the process of negotiation between the Naga political groups and the government of India.
“I have great hope that the present ongoing dialogues mediated by Ravi, as governor of Nagaland and as interlocutor to the peace talks, will arrive at a conclusion sooner than later,” Zeliang said.
The programme, chaired by chief secretary Temjen Toy, was also attended by legislators, leaders from the paramilitary forces, government officials from both central and state establishments, and NGO leaders.
