DIMAPUR, MAY 23 (MExN): “The startling political statement of the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio that ‘an interim agreement’ should be worked out for the protracted Naga political problem has come as a rude shock to the Naga people.” Making this potent statement today, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) President Hokheto Sumi said two serious fundamental issues have been raised in the statement after reading between the lines.
“Had the Naga people struggled for more than five decades with heavy price in blood and sacrifices for ‘an interim agreement’?” was his first point. “Secondly, the ceasefires of 1997 and 2001 have been arranged to create a congenial environment for a political dialogue between the underground and the Government of India.”
Maintaining that accordingly a dialogue process began between the Centre and the Collective leadership of the NSCN (IM) since 1997, the Congress leader questioned, “Is the ongoing political dialogue to work out an “interim agreement” or for a “final political settlement?”
He said the Chief Minister should explain to the Naga public the reason for his ‘volte face’. “Is he expressing the views of the NPF/ DAN Government or the parties engaged in the political dialogue? He owes to the Naga people a detailed explanation why the Naga people should accept an interim agreement to the decades’ long Naga political issue, when the desire is for final settlement acceptable to all sections of Naga people.”
In a release embedded with a number of question marks, Hokheto enquired, “What extraordinary circumstances have compelled him to deviate from the popular aspirations of the Naga people? Has he got the mandate of the people to completely deviate from the stand of the Naga people for a permanent and honourable solution of the Naga political issue?”
He said the Naga people, after realizing political realities, have been consistently and persistently striving for a final solution of the Naga political issue which should be honourable and acceptable to all concerned. “So far all political parties, NGOs and Church organizations are unanimous on this objective.”
Elevating the party he belongs to, Hokheto said the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee stands with the Naga people that there should be a final and honourable solution of the Naga political issue acceptable to all concerned.
“It also sincerely believes that the ongoing political dialogue is for a final solution of the Naga political problem. The NPCC reiterates that along with the Naga people, it shall strive to help final solution of the Naga problem by involving all sections of the Naga community. Neither ad hoc arrangements nor interim agreement can bring peace to the land.”
