NNPGs speaks out against polls before solution
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 24 2018: Just one day after the NSCN (IM) came out strongly against the proposal to hold the Assembly election in Nagaland before inking the final pact, the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) has today asserted that the present problem is not a creation of the Government of India but by a few determined power hungry political party leaders of Nagaland.

In a statement issued to the press today, the NNPGs said that to some of the Naga political party leaders, the solution to Indo-Naga political problem is a mere slogan to grab power and keep it.

"While in Nagaland these politicians raise their hands for solution but once they land in New Delhi, they begged and pleaded with GoI to announce elections," alleged the NNPGs.

The GoI in turn nudged the Election Commission to sound the bugle for election in Nagaland, said the NNPGs and added that the identities of these politicians are emerging.

"Theirs is a vicious plan to prolong the issue, occupy the chair, suffer our people and fill their coffers," said the statement and added that once again the people of Nagaland have been herded into an arena to fight and challenge their own will, conscience and principle while these unprincipled men sit back and enjoy the spectacle.

The NNPGs entered the political dialogue on the strength of the people's voice and political right, said the NNPGs and added that on November 17 last year, the GoI recognised the Naga people's right to self determine their future according to their distinct identity, creating ample space as two entities to work out the details of a relationship.

It was while the Working Committee of the NNPGs was in New Delhi to prepare for a prolonged negotiation on major issues, that the ECI announced the election schedule in Nagaland, recalled the NNPGs and added that this is a backward step and against the sentiment of the people.

The Working Committee thus, had to rush home to further consult the people, added the statement.

Now is the decisive moment, said the NNPGs and added that the unity of purpose and commitment of the Joint Christian Forum, NGBF, Naga Hoho, NTC, CNTC, NSF, NMA, ACAUT, senior citizens, former legislators, majority of intending candidates, present legislators, is unprecedented.

It takes courage to resolve in the Assembly seeking solution and not elections.

The decision of the people is the solution and not elections, said the NNPGs and added that it will stand by the people.

Appropriate answer for insulting the people's decision must be given, demanded the NNPGs.

While extending utmost appreciation to the present legislators and intending candidates for possessing courage and sacrificial commitment to seek solution over election and for showing the wayward politicians the correct decision, those choosing to defy the people, file nominations and contest elections must clarify to the Naga people why participating in Indian election is more important than finding solution to Indo-Naga political issue, it added.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and interlocutor representing the GoI, RN Ravi had time and again assured the Naga people that Indo-Naga political problem must be solved through political negotiations.

Consequently negotiations are taking place and progress is being made.

To ensure enduring solution to more than seventy year old conflict, a mere pause to periodic elections in Nagaland, a demand of Naga people, will not destroy the world's largest democracy, added the NNPGs.

It is no more an electoral battle in Nagaland, it is a contest between a people, a Nation involved in a political negotiation to ensure that younger generations live honourably in their homeland on one side and a few corrupt, opiated destructive politicians seeking to harness wealth and power for themselves, on the other, alleged the NNPGs.

For those prepared to contest election against the people's will, it is better to muster courage and declare to the Naga people, "I want election and not Naga solution and that I refuse to accept or entertain any political solution that may arrive between GoI and NNPGs; I summarily declare and reject political negotiations and so on my own will plan to file nomination; I have no regard for any decision that the Naga Apex organisations and tribes may arrive at and so I will be fully responsible for my actions," said the NNPGs.

Unfortunately using democratic exercise as a tool and heeding to insane utterances of chameleon-like Naga politicians, GoI has failed the Nagas once again, alleged NNPGs.

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