WC, NNPG reiterates stand on ‘negotiated points’ with GOI

Dimapur, June 13 (EMN): The Working Committee (WC) of Naga National Political Groups (NNPG) on Sunday asserted that the Zeliangrong areas of North Cachar, Rengma region including Mikir Hills and other Naga tribal areas should not be brought under the purview of any agreement, till the “negotiated points” of the ‘Agreed Position’ is executed.

According to the WC, NNPG, the negotiated points deal with the Naga people and the ancestral territories in Assam, and it should be reassigned to the respective Naga tribes; and the Constitutional position as of 1949 should be restored.

“Any agreement that contravenes the Agreed Position with the Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPG) and the Government of India, will amount to breach of trust and faith deposed by the Nagas on the Indian Union,” read the statement.

It said that the Naga contiguous territories and disputed border areas in Nagaland-Assam should not be breached until a comprehensive Indo-Naga political solution is arrived at.

“An Accord entered into with any entity to fulfill and safeguard their social and economic interest is duly noted however, to discard and dishonour Naga history and political right through such exercise would add to the trust deficit of Nagas with the Union of India festering for many decades. It would be another unfortunate episode in the Political history of the Nagas,’ it said.

WC, NNPG opined that enforcing a peace settlement in Karbi Anglong or other areas in Assam affecting Nagas and their land would be “another lump of salt on the wound of Naga people.” It further stated that the government of India should not sign any accord in haste as there is a clear negotiated chapter which says that after the Naga Accord is inked, the Neutral High Empowered Committee would be constituted immediately to pursue and commit to the historical and legal contentions of the border dispute between Nagaland and Assam.”

“It is against the spirit of the ongoing political dialogue between GOI and WC, NNPG should any accord be signed in the tribal belt that endangers the historical, demographic, political and cultural identity of the Nagas,’’ it read.

Moreover, it said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had endorsed RN Ravi as interlocutor for Naga peace talks, to begin political negotiations with the Working Committee (WC), NNPG on September 27, 2017.

“By 31st Oct. 2019, GoI and the two negotiating Naga groups announced the conclusion of the talks. All contentious matters had been resolved through intense negotiations. Few unresolved issues were to be pursued and resolved through democratic process post solution. This is the official position of the GOI till date. This is assuredly the position of the Home Ministry, the GoI interlocutor, and the Nagaland State Government,” it said.

The WC, NNPG stated that it now awaits Indo-Naga political solution along with all Naga tribes and civil society. Despite this there is endless propaganda and disturbing distortion of truth to confuse the Naga people.

“Fortunately, our people can distinguish between those working earnestly for an early honourable and acceptable solution and those changing goalposts each month to enrich themselves and prolong the Naga issue. Hundred press releases cannot nullify one political statement with facts and figures. Any entity deviating from this 31st Oct. 2019 open declaration must be deemed as open defiance to Naga People’s aspiration for honourable and acceptable solution.

“The “Agreed Position” signed on 17th November 2017, and the subsequent political negotiations clearly answers the Naga historical question, the Naga political question and future relationship for the next generation. There is great confidence brimming within the Naga political and bureaucratic fraternity, Naga intelligentsia, the youthful generation down to village dwellers, that finally, on the strength and commitment of “Agreed Position” the GoI is preparing to heal and correct the historical, political and administrative maladies of the past. This is the truth and if there are groups who cannot accept this reality, it is their problem and Nagas must understand their obsessive, ever-changing political sloganeering.

“The wrongs of the past against the Naga people and their inhabited ancestral land is being relooked and restructured as per the negotiated terms between GoI and WC, NNPG. The status paper is in the hands of the apex tribal leaders and Naga politicians. This gives no room for pessimists or anti-unity, anti-solution elements to spew venom at. The progress made thus far is the translation of the Naga people’s will through the blessing and mercy of Jehovah, the Almighty Creator of Nagaland,” read the statement.

Furthermore, the WC, NNPG expressed confidence in the prime minister to fulfil the “warm comforting and reassuring words conveyed to custodians and administrators of Naga customary laws and traditions in villages, called Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation (NGBF) when the delegation met him at his office on 3rd August 2017 for early conclusion of the Indo-Naga political talks.”

“The Status paper of WC and GoI talks reflect the commitment of Honourable Prime Minister to NGBF and apex Naga civil societies. The NNPGs thus negotiated with GOI understanding the pulse of the Naga people,” it added.