Rally pushes for FA-based settlement of Naga issue
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, November 08 2023: Amidst the on going deadlock between the government of India and the NSCN-IM/GPRN, a peace rally was held in Ukhrul town on Wednesday to demand an early settlement to the Naga political issue based on the Framework Agreement.

The peace rally was organised by the Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS), the apex students' body of the Tangkhul community.

Around 5000 protesters including students participated in the rally, carrying posters and banners highlighting their demand for an early and positive solution to the issue.

Significantly, the rally was timed to coincide with the talk between the Centre and the NSCN/GPRN that took place in the national capital on the same day.

Marching through the town's thoroughfare from two points of Dungrei Junction and Kharasom Junction, the rallyists shouted slogans like "We Want Solution", "Nagalim March On, March On," "Implement Framework Agreement", and "Victory To Our Land-KUKNALIM!".

The other slogans included "We Support Framework Agreement," "Liberate Nagalim," "No Justice, No Peace," "We Shall Fight, We shall Win," "One Nation, One People/One God ", "Respect Naga Rights," "Long Live NAGALIM," and "In Solidarity With Collective Leadership" .

The rallyists converged at the public ground at Winotang and held a public meeting.

They appealed to both the government of India and the NSCN-IM to come to a peaceful agreement that respects the uniqueness of the Naga people and their culture, as agreed in the August 2015 Framework Agreement.

The participants were addressed by CAO, Wung Tangkhul Region (WTR) kilonser W Sayai who greeted the gathering, saying, "Today is a significant day because even as we rally here another round of peace talk with our collective leadership is being held starting at 12 pm in New Delhi" .

Asserting that the Nagas are firm on their stand on flag and constitution, Sayai said, "Ours is a political situation and this could be resolved only through the means of peaceful negotiation" .

He also expressed displeasure over the delay in the settlement of the Naga political issue that has been on-going for around seven decades.

He questioned as to why the Centre has not resolved the issue even after signing of the Framework Agreement back in 2015 .

The rally also witnessed speech by TKS president Ramreichan Keishing, highlighting about the rationale for organising the peace rally.

"Today s peace rally is to press the authorities concerned for expediting the process for early settlement of the Naga political issue based on the Framework Agreement signed between the government of India and the Nagas and to reinforce public support and mandate to the collective leadership," he added.

The meeting culminated with the singing of Tangkhul National Anthem "Ili Pharasang Kahai Ngalei" led by singer Chungsangla Jajo.

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