Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 19
Coming a day after media reports that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio had told Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that his government was ready to resign at any point of time and proposing the formation of an interim government of underground groups, a resolution was passed today by the Joint Legislators Forum (JLF) comprising of all sixty Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly stating that they were all ready to ‘pave way’ from their ‘present positions’ for ‘any alternative arrangement that may come about from logical conclusion of the ongoing peace process.
“The JLF declares its commitment that all sixty Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly have resolved to pave way from our present positions for any alternative arrangement that may come about from logical conclusion of the ongoing peace process”, stated a ground breaking statement signed and issued jointly by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Leader of Opposition Tokheho, ruling Naga People Front (NPF) President Dr Shürhozelie, Opposition Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) President SI Jamir and Speaker of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Keyanilie Peseyie.
In another forward looking step, the JLF resolved to form a joint team comprising of Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly including Members from both ruling and opposition benches. The joint team will meet both the negotiating parties, the Government of India, the underground groups and different political parties, in order to carry the voice of the House and also to urge upon them to expedite the peace process.
The JLF also appealed to the negotiating parties of the Indo-Naga peace process, especially the Government of India, to expedite the political dialogue, so that an early negotiated settlement, that is honourable and acceptable to the people is arrived at. The JLF also put on record that all sixty Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly have come together cutting across party lines under a joint forum in the greater interest of Naga society by responding to the cry of the people and have worked collectively in facilitating the peace process.
The resolution of the JLF has also extended its sincere appreciation to the civil societies, church, NGOs and mass based organizations for its tireless efforts towards forging understanding and reconciliation amongst all sections of Naga Society under the banner of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR). “The civil societies, church and FNR carry the voice of the people who are longing for peace and solution of the Indo-Naga political problem”, it stated.
The JLF also reiterated its appreciation to the undergrounds for making sacrifices in the Naga political movement and for responding to the call of the people for reconciliation by signing the Covenant of Reconciliation and the Naga Concordant. The JLF appealed to the undergrounds to adhere to the spirit of reconciliation and understanding and stand by the commitment given to the Naga people. The JLF observed that since the undergrounds are working for the greater interest of Naga society, “they should listen to the voice of the people and rise above all difference making supreme sacrifices so that a collective effort is made to bring the political imbroglio to a logical conclusion”.
