Dimapur, December 6 (MExN): The civil society organisations (CSO) in Dimapur have appealed the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to “initiate necessary and immediate action from your end” regarding prolonged Naga Political talks.
This is for the larger interest of the Nagas and for the ends of justice, the CSOs stated in a representation to the Home Minister, through the Governor of Nagaland.
The representation underscored that Naga Political talks has been prolonging for more than 26 years without any hope for an early settlement, though the Nagas have been longing for a permanent peace since the inception of ceasefire agreement between the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) and Government of India (GoI).
The Dimapur CSOs under the aegis of Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) along with Chakroma Public Organisation (CPO) and Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) has been rendering all possible efforts to meet the same, it said.
However, with the indefinite delay in signing of the final agreement and with no sign of progress, the hope of the Nagas has completely been shattered, it added. Accordingly, the CSOs appealed the GoI to expedite the Naga political talks process, sincerely delve into the matter and ink the talk at the earliest, keeping in mind the true aspirations and the future of the Nagas.
AS per the CSOs, among many others, one of the primary outcomes of the delayed talks is the emergence of “multiple factions” creating grave apprehension among the citizen,
They further conveyed their belief that the GoI would not want to witness the growth of multiple NPGs during ongoing political discussions and consequently appealed the latter to “cease acknowledging the mushrooming of political factions so as to conclude the impending Naga political talk at the earliest.”
The representation further maintained out that appearance of multiple NPGs has resulted in rampant illegal taxation in all aspects affecting the businesses and economic growth.
Further, it paved a room for arbitrary extortion and kidnapping causing serious threat to the society, it said, further maintaining that despite the existence and actions of the law enforcement agencies, there is no iota of indication to condense the illegal activities and taxation.
While Nagaland literacy rate is above 80%, there are challenges and unavailability of employment in both public and private sectors, nudging many Nagas to join NPGs as a way of “recognition and to meet the ends,” it added.
The primary root of all issues originates due to the delay in concluding the Naga political settlement and further delay would only deteriorate the situation in many aspects, the CSOs maintained.
Accordingly, they urged the Union Home Minister to initiate immediate action” and noted that Nagas are peace loving and therefore the ongoing political talk is to “seek nothing but a permanent peace in our land.”
Apart from NCD, WSH and CPO, the representation was appended by Vigilance Committee NCD; Naga Women Hoho, Dimapur; Dimapur Naga Students’ Union; Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation; Gaon Bura Union (Sardar) Dimapur; Dimapur District Gaon Bura Association; Dimapur District Citizens’ Forum; Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industries and Business Association of Nagaland.
