Delhi, January 13 (MExN): The two days National Consultation on ‘the Naga Peace Process and the Possible Outcome’ held at the India Islamic Cultural Centre, Delhi on the 12-13 January ended by asking the Government of India to display “statesmanship and leadership” regarding the Naga political demand by “taking the matter forward with the different state governments concerned, rather than putting the onus on the Naga civil society and the Government of Nagaland”.
The consultation comprised of members of civil society from across the Naga areas as well as from India, and resolved to “continue to work together towards a peace that is just and honourable, and founded on principles of democratic governance, and urged upon the parties on the negotiating table at this historic juncture to address the concerns of the Naga peoples.” This was stated in a press release, on behalf of Naga and Indian civil societies, from Keviletuo Kiewhuo, President of Naga Hoho and E. Deena Dayalan, Member, Indian Civil Societies.
Raising concern over the delay in finding a solution to the Naga political demands, the press release noted, “Fifteen years have passed since the Nagas and the Govt. of India entered into a ceasefire and commenced their search for a political solution to the long standing aspirations of the Naga people for self-determination. The ceasefire that was being extended from time to time was agreed in March 2007 to be a continuous process subject to the progress of the political talk”. The concerned civil societies have urged the government and the parties concerned to “expedite and find a solution to the satisfaction of the long standing Naga demands”.
During the consultation, deep concern was raised regarding the lack of transparency in the ongoing peace process, “even while it appears that there is reason to hope that a solution is close at hand”. Referring also to the Nagaland Joint Legislators Forum’s communication to the Prime Minister of solution being the need of the hour, not election, the press release stated that “It would be in the interests of a substantive and sustainable solution for the process to be made more transparent, since these are issues that are of deep concern to the people. It is imperative that this solution is arrived at urgently and that no elections are held until there is clarity on the contours of the political arrangement.
Further, the Naga and Indian civil society deprecated the “increased deployment of the security forces during the ceasefire”. The consultation also expressed its apprehension regarding increased military intervention in civil administration and developmental processes, or welfare functions, in Naga areas.
“Any solution to the Naga issue must entail a complete withdrawal of the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958, and a visible reduction in the physical presence of the Indian armed forces from the Naga areas.”
The solution, stated the press release, must also be to the satisfaction of all the Naga peoples, and therefore fulfil their long-standing demand for integration of all Naga areas which are currently divided over four different States- Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Assam. “A solution which does not recognise the right of the Nagas to live together as one people is unacceptable”.
