DIMAPUR, MAY 15 (MExN): Alezo Venuh, the Envoy to Collective Leadership, Gen. (Retd) Khole Konyak, Chairman NSCN and N Kitovi Zhimomi, General Secretary, NSCN has clarified on what was termed as “certain misgivings which seem to have crept into the minds of a section of people at Hebron Camp”.
Since the formation of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) in 2008, the Envoy pointed out that the GPRN/NSCN has been very vocal that a meaningful Reconciliation among the Nagas will not be forthcoming as long as IM Leadership believed in having Reconciliation process and political negotiations running parallel to each other.
Stating that the Covenant of Reconciliation (COR) was signed to narrow the differences among the Nagas, the Envoy pointed out that it was “clear from the very outset that Naga reconciliation process was never a bargaining chip for any group to take advantage of”. “Reconciliation process includes all sections of Nagas but one cannot say the same about the negotiations between GOI and IM because Nagas are still in the dark about the core demands and the progress or lack of it”, the Envoy stated.
The GPRN/NSCN Envoy pointed out that in many Joint Working Group (JWG) meetings of the COR in the last four years, the general opinion was that “since the political talks were not heading in the right direction, negotiations should be kept in abeyance till the Nagas found a common ground to jointly pursue their common political aspiration”.
Also it was clarified that the word ‘Nagaland’ encompasses all Naga lands irrespective of national or international boundary demarcations. “There is only one Nagaland which is inclusive of Naga areas in Burma, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur or Assam. Nagaland does not exclude any area or portion of Naga history or people.
This is the position of the GPRN/NSCN on the question of ‘Nagaland’,” the Envoy clarified.
It was also disclosed that the GPRN/NSCN has opened up all diplomatic channels with Naga frontal organisations and tribal hohos including the UNC to brief and be briefed for entrenchment of political and historical rights of the Nagas. The Envoy also stated that the GPRN/NSCN supports the demand of the UNC “for it reflects the genuine grievances of the Naga people living in Manipur”.
“If IM, through UNC is demanding for Alternative Political Arrangement from the GOI, for a secure political future for southern Nagas, who can stop the Nagas living in Burma, the state of Arunachal Pradesh or Assam or for that matter within the present state of Nagaland from pursuing their political aspirations?” the Envoy stated.
Also it was clarified that the reported Charter of demand submitted to GOI by GPRN/NSCN which was carried in the local dailies is completely baseless since the first step for GPRN/NSCN is to consult the Naga people. It stated that Mr. Shambu Singh, the Joint Secretary in-charge of NE, represents the Government of India and initiates the extension of Cease Fire with all groups and constantly briefs the Centre which is his job. “Charter of demand is altogether a different issue which the GPRN/NSCN shall take up at an appropriate time. Without seeking the opinion of the people, it would be placing cart before the horse”.
The GPRN/NSCN Envoy stated that if there are “technical reasons preventing IM leaders from attending the forthcoming Chiangmai meeting, GPRN/NSCN would understand however accusing the GPRN/NSCN for attempting to sabotage the 14 years negotiations is unwise and uncalled for”.
Pointing out that Nagas cannot accept such logic, the GPRN/NSCN stated that the FNR was doing all it can to facilitate meeting of Collective Leaders of COR signatories and “it is highly unlikely that FNR would need any clarification because its position is the position of the Naga people”.
“Non attendance of the proposed meet would be a real assault on the FNR. The credibility and the commitment of the leadership is at stake”. In this regard, the Envoy has appealed for review of the joint council meeting so that all differences could be deliberated across the table because the “spirit of Reconciliation and the Covenant demands Nagas to listen to each other”.
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