Stay away from poll process : NSCN (IM), NNPGs
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Dimapur, January 28 2018:
The NSCN-IM and the six NNPGs in a joint meeting today in Dimapur resolved that no one should "indulge in election process" with regard to the Nagaland State Assembly election.
"When Naga people as a whole have made the collective decision to forgo election, we caution vested interest and unscrupulous persons not to sabotage the historical processes of negotiations by filing nominations and indulging in election process," said the joint statement of the NSCN-IM and the six NNPGs which was made available to Newmai News Network this evening.
The joint statement said that, following the "intensive negotiations" between the Government of India and the Naga political groups, the negotiating groups are "leaving no stone unturned to ensure that an honourable and acceptable solution is evolved on time in the interest of the Naga people" .
The NSCN-IM and the six NNPGs appreciated all the political parties, both National and regional, for responding to "solution, not election" call.
"The negotiators are indeed overwhelmed by the unstinted support of our people, particularly at this juncture when the Nagas are once again put to test.
We also express our appreciation to all the tribal hohos and civil society organizations for their immeasurable services rendered towards building oneness," the joint statement added.
"We, the undersigned signatories hereby jointly issue this declaration out of the joint meeting held today at Hotel Saramati in Dimapur organized by Core Committee of Nagaland Tribal Hohos and civil organizations (CCNTHCO)," the NSCN-IM and the six NNPGs added.
Meanwhile, the Core Committee of Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations (CCNTHCO) said in a separate statement that it "place on record our sincere appreciation to the two negotiating groups- the NSCN (IM) and the NNPGs Working Committee for coming together and issuing a Joint Statement on "Solution, Not Election" .
"Since all the political parties, both National and regional, have made known their firm commitment not to participate in the forthcoming Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) election, as per the consultative meetings held on January 25 and 27, 2018, the CCNTHCO once again remind all the political parties to attend the joint meeting to be held at Hotel Japfu, Kohima, 11 am on January 29, 2018," it added.
Apart from the political parties, the negotiating groups, namely, the NSCN (IM) and the NNPGs would be participating in the joint meeting, it said.
According to the CCNTHCO, the president and general secretaries of all the political parties, 7 members each from NSCN (IM) and NNPGs, and president and general secretaies of all the apex tribal hohos and civil society organisations will attend the joint meeting.