Dimapur, March 5 (MExN): The Global Naga Forum on Friday acknowledged the members of Nagaland Legislative Assembly for the four-point resolution they adopted, including their reaffirmation of past resolutions with regard to Indo-Naga political issues during the assembly session.
“The reaffirmation covers one of the landmark resolutions for integration of contiguous Naga homelands, which has been consistently upheld by the successive Nagaland Legislative Assemblies across party lines. It is a universally recognized basic human right of every indigenous peoples throughout the world to live in one administrative umbrella. GNF appreciates the current NLA’s recognition of this human right of the Nagas,” the GNF stated in a press release on Friday.
Further terming it as an “existential issue” for the Nagas with grave historical significance and future consequences, the GNF stated that the issue should not be politicized by any party or individual. It needs to be addressed in the highest level through the concerted and discerning efforts of the sixty members, it added.
It also appealed members of NLA to put their heads together and lobby for an amicable political settlement at the earliest. “Side by side, the collective efforts of the sixty NLA members may be the only way forward to bring unity among various Naga civil societies and Naga national political groups at this time. As mandated leaders in such a divisive and troubled time as Nagas are in now, we trust they will show exemplary leadership and foresight,” it stated.
Meanwhile, the GNF also took exception to a statement made by Temjen Imna Along, Minister and President of BJP, Nagaland state where he categorically stated on the floor of the House that, “Modi and Shah had made their stand clear and also conveyed the same to the State leaders that flag and constitution would not happen.” He further said that integrity of the nation (India) too had to be respected, it said while adding that, “Nagas deserve to know the authenticity of Temjen Imna Along’s statement.”
