Morung Express News
Kohima | January 23
A public rally on “The call for solution and not election” was held on January 23 at the NSF & NPMHR Solidarity Park, Kohima. Jointly organised by the NSF, Naga Mothers’ Association and Naga Hoho, the rally once again asserted the need for the early settlement of the Naga political issue.
A speech on the Naga cause was delivered by Dr. Rosemary Dziivichii who reminded the young crowd on the history of the Naga political struggle. “If you look back into our political history, our history is one which is written in blood and tears. For many of you who don’t come from families, parents who narrate about the sufferings of the Nagas perhaps you will not understand. But for those of you who came from such families will understand the killings of the Nagas by the Indian military. You will also understand that the AFSPA which was promulgated to control the Nagas, still exist today after so many decades,” said Dr. Rosemary adding that it is not politicians alone who speak of peace, but the villagers, the social organisations along with the efforts of mass based organisations who spoke and struggled for peace.
“The problem that we see today is when we are at such a crucial stage, can we have some space where everyone’s attention can be on the Naga issue, where even the GoI is not distracted by elections, where even the Naga politicians are not distracted by elections; and we can have a dialogue where once and for all we settle our Naga political problem,” said Dr. Rosemary while urging the young crowd to continue to aspire for an early solution and let the rally be a beginning of ‘what we dream’.
Narrating her personal experience on self determination, Vitono Haralu spoke on the youth’s approach to the Naga cause. “The honesty that we are seeking in others, can we seek that in ourselves first? The transparency that we seek in our leaders, can we be transparent in our own lives first?” posed Haralu who pointed out that the internal conflict within the Nagas has been a great gain for others.
“20 years of peace talk is very long. We are patiently waiting for an honourable settlement which will be acceptable and honourable to the Nagas and India. In response to the GoI’s invitation we have all come together but immediately they have announced the election having no respect for our aspiration,” said Naga Hoho General Secretary Mutsikhoyo Yhobu who expressed the need for reflection on how the Government of India has continued to treat the Nagas. Yhobu urged for unity else Nagas will continue to be the victims.
The declaration of election has been designed to hijack the very purpose of solution according to Kesosul Christopher Ltu, NSF President who viewed that the concerted efforts of everyone is at the verge of being ruined with the announcement of election to the state assembly.
“Let the world be the judge to the arbitrary imposition of election by the GoI. We will not be mute spectators to this sort of imposition and shall register our resentment while appealing for solution and not election. We want permanent peace and not just a process,” said Ltu adding that the election will negate the peace process.
