‘Save the Peace’ initiative concerned at the lack of any significant progress in the peace talks since 2015
New Delhi, December 9 (MExN): The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) organised a meeting commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights on Friday in New Delhi.
Organisations and individuals from various walks of life across the country attended the meeting which focused on the current state of Indo-Naga peace process, according to a press release.
Among others, the meeting adopted a resolution underscoring its concern at the lack of any significant progress in the peace talks since the signing of the Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015. The house noted that “there have been attempts to retract from the intended spirit of the peace process when attempts were made to dictate the peace process from the prism of law-and-order concern rather than as a process for resolution of Naga political issue.”
This stagnation and reversal of Indo-Naga peace process is detrimental to peace in the Naga areas, it further stated, while emphasizing that “mishandling Indo-Naga peace process is unwarranted,” given the geo-strategic significance of the Northeastern region of the country.
It further urged the Prime Minister to personally ensure that the peace talks are successfully concluded as per the provisions of the Framework Agreement. “We believe that it is appropriate that the Indo-Naga peace process, which was initiated by the highest political leadership of the negotiating party, must be concluded accordingly at the Prime Ministerial level,” it added.
According to the release, the meeting was also held in continuation of the ‘Save the Peace’ initiative.
Notably, it stated that parliamentarians also attended the meeting and assured their help in facilitating the Indo-Naga peace process.
The meeting began with a brief talk by Minister of State for Rural Development and Steel of India, Government of India Faggan Singh Kulaste. The minister said that while he is not conversant with the details of the current Indo-Naga peace process, yet as a human being and as a tribal he understood the value of peace and dignity. He invited the organisers to meet him along with documents so that he could reach their concerns to the leadership in the government, the release stated.
Ex-Parliamentarians D P Roy and Kirp Chaliha also suggested that the Nagas should meet MPs, especially that of the opposition to make them aware the current situation of the peace process.
Representatives of several political parties, civil society groups, human rights bodies and leadership of tribal organisations extended their solidarity with the cause of peace being advocated by the NPMHR, it said, while adding that several speakers also expressed that the Framework Agreement has the potential to lay the foundation of lasting peace in Nagaland.
