Fredom is coming: (clockwise) People of different hues and shades voice their desire for an early political solution to the Indo-Naga issue. An elderly woman holds up the Naga flag while in a pensive mood. Rev Dozo, in the presence of prominent public leaders, invokes the will of God to begin the Civil Demonstration for Early Solution held at the Clock Tower Junction, Dimapur on Monday, December 12. (MExPix)
Morung Express News
December 12
DIMAPUR: Eight and a half years is enough time for an honourable and amicable solution towards the Indo-Naga impasse. The general mood among the humongous crowd who gathered for the Civil Demonstration for Early Solution conveyed this collective message at the clock tower junction at Dimapur. “The civil demonstration was an urgent call for early solution to the protracted Indo-Naga political crisis and had placed on record its resolution in the form of a public statement urging both the Government of India and the Naga leaders to find a solution at the earliest,” according to the Naga Council, Dimapur. The rally attended by a gargantuan gathering pushed the Government of India to bring about an early settlement. Seen as an historic move, the Naga flag as well as the Indian tricolour were distributed to be displayed as a prologue to the peace talks which are to begin Friday at Bangkok.
The loudspeakers reverberated to the song ‘Freedom is coming’ before speeches from members of prominent social organizations took centre stage. The demand for unification of Naga inhabited areas was reiterated as portrayed in the placards which read, “Unification of Naga areas- a roadway to solution.” Expressing their solidarity, people from other states as well attended the meet. Naga Council put the number of rallyists at two lakhs.
President of the Naga Hoho Horangse Sangtam reasoned that 50 sittings between the negotiating parties was enough time for the Government of India to reach upon a concrete solution. “We cannot wait anymore,” he said. Do not cheat the Nagas, he appealed to the Indian government. Speaker of the Naga Hoho assembly HK Zhimomi said many were trying to jeopardize the peace process and averred that once the political problem is solved, violence created out of infighting among the factions will come to a halt. Asserting that a solution has to emerge from the people, Secretary General of the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights, Nepuni Piku said, “The peace process has to be democratized.” Seriously questioning the sincerity of Delhi, Naga Students’ Federation Speaker WH Maring said, “We feel the Government of India lacks political will.”
“We have to fight till the end,” Tiala, President of the Naga Women Hoho, Dimapur said as a voice representing all Naga mothers. Stating that the rally should not be mistaken as an advertisement, she urged the assembly to go to the extent of staging a ‘dharna’ at New Delhi if talks are inconclusive this time around. Echoing her statement, senior citizen Manik Bhattacharjee said, “We are happy if Nagas are happy. Let India know Nagas’ history and geography.”
