Naga orgns hold consultative meet on political solution
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Jotsoma, August 01 2015 : Various civil society organizations in Nagaland have unanimously welcomed the recent five-point resolution passed by Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) on July 27 last.

This followed a a marathon closed-door consultative meeting of Naga civil society organisations and Nagaland Legislators' Forum on Naga Political Issue at RCEMPA, Jotsoma, Kohima on Friday.

The organisations that attended the meeting were Naga Hoho; Eastern Naga People's Organization' Naga Mothers' Association; Naga Students' Federation; Eastern Naga Women Organization; Angami Public Organization; Ao Senden; Chakhesang Public Organization; Chang Khulei Setshang; Khiamniungan Hoho; Konyak Union; Kyong Hoho; Phom People's Council; Pochury Hoho, Rengma Hoho; Sangtam Likhum Pumji; Sumi Hoho; Yimchunger Tribal Council; Zeliangrong Baudi; Eastern Naga Students' Federation and Forum for Naga Reconciliation.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Chief Minister TR Zeliang said the meeting has endorsed the recent NLA resolution.

Stating that none of the tribal Hohos present disagreed with the resolution, Zeliang observed that this is an indication that the Nagas "by and large" want peace and an early solution to the Naga political issue.

He said four resolutions were adopted in the past by Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) for Naga political solution and integration of the contiguous Naga inhabited areas, however there was no follow-up action.

This time, he pointed out, a consultation meet with Naga civil societies and tribal bodies were convened right after the resolution was passed to seek the people's opinions.

The Chief Minister said the Government of India wants to bring out a formula for solution but they are apprehensive that Naga people may turn it down which could result into further deadlock and cease-fire may be abrogated, letting in armed forces.

This fear is also with the intellectual group of Nagas, Zeliang said but he feels that the fear psychosis can be removed if further consultations with Naga people not only in Nagaland but also with those living outside Nagaland are sought.

Towards this, he informed that a decision has been made to hold a consultative meeting including Nagas living outside Nagaland so as to have broader-based discussion.

For this, the NLA Speaker Chotisuh Sazo will consult with the NLF Parliamentary Working Committee and fix a date.

Prospect for solution higher today .

TR Zeliang maintained that the prospect for an early solution is higher today as the Government of India has come to understand the Naga history and the political problem that has been dragging on for over six decades.

He said the Naga national groups also understood the difficulty of the Indian Government.

"If both parties have understood one another then why shouldn't this problem be resolved?", he asked and asserted that things are moving in the right direction.

Demand for sovereignty not dropped .

When pointed out that basically the Naga integration was being addressed in the NLA resolution while the NSCN (IM) is talking about pan-Naga solution, T R Zeliang said that demand for sovereignty and Naga integration is not dropped.

He reiterated that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proposed that even if 100% solution is not possible today, 80% can be resolved and the door may be left open for the remaining 20% to come gradually.

"If the Government of India says integration may not be possible or sovereignty is not possible, it is their side of the story, but our side is that integration issue is still alive and demand is not being downsized and we will continue with the same objective", he stated.

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