Naga legislators meet IM leaders
Source: The Sangai Express / Agencies

Dimapur, August 27 2015: Fiftysix NLA legislators and over 50 members of NSCN (I-M) held a closed- door marathon 3rd consultative meeting for over five hours at Chumukedima Police Complex Wednesday.

As with Tuesday's 8th consultative meeting with tribal hohos and civil society groups, where local media persons were barred from entry and none willing to divulge crucial details, the same situation arose on Wednesday.

After around two hours, two Naga legislators meet IM leaders legislators left and after some hours few legislators including Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio left the venue.

When approached for information, Imkong L.Imchen MLA, said that the meeting "more or less endorsed framework agreement and to go ahead with it" .

Another senior legislator said that most of the legislators spoke about solution that should be honourable and acceptable and inclusive of all sections of the people.

A senior member of NSCN (I-M) told Nagaland Post that Th.Muivah reiterated what he said at the civic reception on August12 at Dimapur Airport and Naga Independence Day celebration on August 14 at Hebron.

The senior member also said that Wednesday's meeting with legislators was the third consultative meeting with NSCN(I-M) leaders.

He termed Wednesday's meeting, held after signing the August 3 framework agreement as "a big step forward".

He said it was also important since the legislators were elected representatives of the people and that their opinions and understanding was required.

He also described the meeting as "cordial" and that the legislators had responded in a positive way for bringing out a solution.

The NSCN(IM) member said legislators maintained that positive opinions over such an issue should not be left to the NSCN (I-M) alone but that all should be consulted.

It was also learnt that Muivah spoke on the Naga freedom struggle, government of India recognizing the "unique history and situation" of the Nagas, acceptance that military solution could not solve the Naga issue and for which political dialogue was initiated.

Muivah had explained that modalities were being worked out after signing the August 3 framework agreement and the proposed "Pan-Naga Hoho" to look after the welfare of Naga areas.

It was also learnt that during the meeting, legislators also raised concerns over noninvolvement of other Naga Political Groups (NPGs) in the ongoing talk.

The legislators had reportedly suggested, that before inking the final agreement, all NPGs should be taken on board for lasting and peaceful solution.

Sources divulged that Neiphiu Rio reminded the NPF manifesto reiterated that NPF legislators would pave way for honourable and acceptable solution while G.Kaito Aye MLA suggested that all "over ground and underground should come together" for solution.

It was also learnt that when NSCN (I-M) kilo kilosner Rh.

Raising stated that the framework agreement was for the entire Nagas, parliamentary secretary for IPR, Khekaho Assumi asked "if that was the case, what positive steps has NSCN (I-M) taken after signing the peace agreement to bring on board the various nationalist groups?" .

On this, Raising did not respond.

Khekaho was also said to have suggested that all NPGs should be taken on board for a lasting solution.

Chumukedima Police Complex was provided tight security as senior police officers supervised the large number of personnel and traffic was manned by Dimapur traffic personnel.

Despite the heavy security, NSCN (I-M) also deployed its personnel who were seen directing traffic.

Nagaland chief minister T.R.Zeliang in a lengthy written speech read out at the 3rd Consultative meeting, opined that all Nagas ought to support the Naga Peace Accord of August 3, 2015, as it came at a crucial phase towards final solution.

He said once the formula for resolution of the Naga political issue was ironed out between the government of India and NSCN (I-M), it should form the basis for a broad-based consultations among NPGs and people before acceptance or rejection.

Zeliang opined that the delicate task be spearheaded by Interlocutor (Ravi) and NSCN (I-M) which would need the total support of Legislators, mass-based Naga organisations, church including FNR so as to reactivate reconciliation among various NPGs.

He also cited various committees constituted by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on Naga Political issue, meetings with leaders of the government of India and requesting ENPO and Naga Hoho to impress upon NSCN (K) to meet S.S.Khaplang to resume the cease fire.

In his speech, Zeliang said solution had been elusive since the government of India had never made any offer in the form of a formula for the basis of discussion or negotiations with Naga nationalist groups and Naga society.

He said the 16-Point Agreement of 1960 signed between the Naga People's Convention and Government of India led to creation of Nagaland as the 16th state but it did not end the movement as the underground Naga nationalists were not taken on board.

Pointing to a series of initiatives undertaken by the members of the NLA, Zeliang maintained that all have accepted that the Naga political issue was no longer the preserve of Naga nationalist groups alone nor does it belong to any particular tribe or individual.

Rather, he said the issue belonged to Nagas as a whole.

He reiterated that consultative meetings with leaders of Naga society were needed.

He suggested that while talking on Naga political issue, the word "I" be replaced with "We" so that all could move forward for a common goal.

Zeliang concluded that as leadership comes and goes and no one could escape death; what was important was leaving behind a worthwhile legacy for posterity to remember with gratitude.

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