WC-NNPG meets COCOMI leaders; reaffirms larger role Nagas and Meiteis have to play in NE

Dimapur, Nov. 11 (EMN): The Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPG) met the leaders of Co-conveners and Co-ordination Committee on Manipur Integration (COCOMI), a conglomeration of Manipur-based civil societies, at Dimapur on November 10 and discussed on the need to co-exist peacefully.

An update from media cell of WC-NNPG informed that the group was led by its Convener N Kitovi Zhimomi while six members of COCOMI attended the meeting.

It stated that the consultation was necessitated as Nagas and Meiteis, have for centuries, shared a progressive harmonious relationship by respecting each other’s ancestral domain, customs, tradition and practices.

“In the last few decades however, the tranquillity and mutual respect between the two communities faced rough weather owing to impractical ideology and discomforting political stance of few. The Naga-Meitei brotherhood, both sides agree, cannot be dictated by haphazard and preposterous sentiments,” the statement read.

The two parties reaffirmed during the meeting that “Nagas and Meiteis have a larger role to play in the ethno-social political reorganisation of the indigenous peoples in the NE.” They also discussed “on the need to mutually co-exist as brothers and as peaceful neighbours like in the centuries past”, and that the two communities “must avoid living in perpetual fear and mistrust”.

“The WC, NNPGs sought to reassure the COCOMI leaders that the impending Indo-Naga political solution will be in the interest of Nagas, Meiteis and all other communities. Any new political or administrative arrangement or structure that respects and promotes Naga history, culture and identity, without altering the present boundary of Manipur, Arunachal or in Assam as a result of Indo-Naga solution, and which benefits all communities must be appreciated,” read the statement.

It stated that the COCOMI delegation appreciated the pragmatic political stand of the WC-NNPG and the progress achieved through political negotiations. The groups also agreed that more interaction is needed to forge a strong indigenous ethnic community platform to meet the ever-threatening demographic invasion of NE states.

“NE people cannot live in isolation because the danger is too big. Common issue must be tackled through concerted effort,” it stated.

Expressing solidarity with the WC-NNPG and hoping that negotiations between the Nagas and GOI would conclude without delay, the COCOMI wished the leadership of the group and the Naga people a great path ahead, it informed.