As Naga MLAs set to go to Delhi to give another push, Iralu shares his thoughts
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Dimapur, October 10 2012: Even as the 60 MLAs of Nagaland legislative assembly are planning to go to New Delhi on October 14 to meet political parties and the Union Home minister as a concerted move in pushing for the early settlement of the vexed Naga political issue, noted peace activist and celebrated Naga intellectual Niketu Iralu said if any Naga political settlement is brought about it should not be only honourable and acceptable to the Nagas but it should also be 'workable' .

Niketu Iralu was talking to Newmai News Network this evening on the concerted move made by Joint Legislature Forum (JLF), the forum formed by the 60 MLAs of Nagaland legislative assembly few months ago to push for the early settlement of the vexed Naga political issue.

"The Joint Legislature Forum (JLF) had gone to New Delhi, met several Central leaders there and had gone to the extent of stepping side (pave way for the Naga solution by resigning enmasse) and pushed for the honourable and acceptable solution but to my mind the settlement should also be workable," the Naga intellectual stated.

He terms the move of the 60 legislators of Nagaland legislative assembly as correct strategy.

"I congratulate them," he lauded.

However, when asked on what is his view as it is only the NSCN-IM that is holding a dialogue with New Delhi while NSCN-K, NNC and NSCN-Khole/Kitovi are not, Niketu Iralu said, "If a settlement brought about by one faction is not understood and accepted by other factions then I do not see how the settlement will be honourable, acceptable and workable.

But I really wish that a settlement brought about by any faction is honourable, acceptable and workable because the Nagas need a settlement" .

Harping on the complexity of the Naga society, Niketu Iralu said, "But the reality is that Naga society is tribally constituted society.

Our tribal consciousness is very much alive as it is being shown again from time to time" .

It is worth noting here that headed by chief minister Neiphiu Rio, the 60 MLAs of Nagaland legislative assembly had toured to various parts of Nagaland and met the Naga militant groups while campaigning for the early settlement of the Naga political issue.

A couple of months ago, these MLAs under the banner of Joint Legislature Forum (JLF) had also rushed to New Delhi and met the Central leaders.

They had camped in the national capital for several days and advocated fervently for the expedition of the Naga political dialogue.

The Naga Hoho leaders too had been to New Delhi and camped there from September 21 to September 29 .

They came back to Nagaland with a message of 'optimism' .

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