NPF Legislature Party clarify on its position

30th October 2019

The NPF Legislature Party is constrained to clarify on its position and also to debunk the story carried in local dallies on dated 29th October 2019. That, there is no difference of opinion and are on the same page with the NPF Legislature Party Leader Sh T.R. Zeliang. The members also endorses the stand of the NPF Party vis-a-vis the Indo-Naga Peace process and desires for an early settlement of the Naga political issue.

We reiterate our stand that, the elected members as facilitators cannot put ultimatum on the two negotiating parties and comment on what to accept and what not to in the final agreement. If there are any differences in the demands, it is for the negotiating parties to sit together and hammer out differences and come to a logical conclusion for an inclusive and honourable solution which will bring about permanent peace.

When the NPF delegation called upon the Hon’ble Governor on 5th October at Raj Bhavan Kohima, the Leader of NPF Legislature Party had appealed to him to work out a formula for the current contentious issues of Flag and Constitution as he did with the demands of Integration and Sovereignty. There arises no question of the NPF, both from the organisational wing or the Legislature wing, putting conditions for the final solution.

We also seek to know as to which legislator was quoted to be deviating from the decisions of the party and the views of the Leader of the NPF Legislature Party. So far the NPF Legislature Party has only reiterated the NPF Party Central Executive Council (CEC) Resolution adopted on 12th June 2019 after the meeting at the Central Hq, Kohima in respect of Naga symbolic issues in which, under point no.5, it states, “The party appreciates and pledges its continued support to the signing of the Framework Agreement between the Government of India and the NSCN(IM)on 3rd August, 2015 and strongly urge the parties to come to term for an honourable inclusive political settlement without further delay. Nevertheless, the NPF strongly feels that any political solution without recognizing the symbolic identity of the Nagas will fall short of Naga aspiration.”

The party is also amused at the attitude of the NDPP led PDA Government in responding to constructive criticism put across for the wellbeing of the Nagas. When the Leader of Opposition wrote to the Speaker of the NLA, dated 22nd October 2019, a copy of each given to the Hon’ble Governor and the Chief Minister, appealing for convening a meeting of the Joint Legislators Forum (JLF) on Naga Political Issue, it was surprising to note that with little regard for the wellbeing of the Nagas and continuing to play double standard politics on this issue, a PDA coordination meeting was called and held on 28th October in which they endorsed the JLF Resolution dated 7th August 2019. In doing so, they have once again shied away from the core issues and portrayed to the world the weak kneed leadership.

It is also noteworthy that in a press communique on 24th May 2019, the PDA had said “We appreciate the Government of India for recognising the unique history of the Nagas and we appeal for a political solution that honours the legitimate political rights of the Naga people and ensures the Political Symbols for which the Naga movement has struggled”. And since then, the NDPP or the PDA has managed to remain silent on these contentious issues and rather managed to make contradictory statements to the above point which shows their hidden agenda and little concern for the Nagas in general.

The NDPP led PDA is only worried about their position in a post-solution scenario, which is typical of the leadership of NDPP which is always for self-aggrandizement at the expense of the common Naga people. This is manifested by the reiteration of what the Union Home Minister had said when they sought clarification on the status of the elected members. Rather than having concern for the Indo-Naga political issue which is staring at a deadlock, the Chief Minister of Nagaland is only worried about the Chair and the power that comes along with it. So drunk in power that the ruling bench care little of the future of the Nagas and are completely blind to the pertinent issues at hand.

Issued by,
Imkong Imchen.
Spokesperson
NPF Legislature Party