Mokohchung, May 25 (MExN): The Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem (MTLT) while expressing distraught over the recent development in the Indo-Naga political issue, has called for stopping ‘blame game.’
The MTLT has resolved to endorse the stance of the Ao Senden, the apex organisation of the Ao community and stand by its statement, stated a press release from the MTLT President, Imnaonen Pongen and General Secretary, Imkongchuba Pongen.
The MTLT also expressed distraught over the NSCN (IM)’s "constant attack" on Dr SC Jamir, former Governor and Chief Minister of Nagaland, as well as the only surviving signatory of the 16 Point Agreement.
Stating that the issue is gaining “unhealthy publicity in the Naga society,” the MTLT asserted that the animosity between a ‘Naga political organisation and Dr Jamir is not a healthy development in our Naga people’s quest for an honourable and acceptable solution.’
Instead, it urged for a broad-based consensus based on mutual respect and vision for the Naga people.
Calling it “sad and unwelcome episode,” it cautioned that such acrimony might “destroy the decades of peace parleys between the Naga political groups and the Government of India” at the crucial juncture of the Naga political history.
Accordingly, the MTLT has resolved to endorse the stance of the Ao Senden’s May 22 statement which, among others termed the “re-emergence of war of words’ as unhealthy and said that blame game is going to weaken the Naga cause.
Meanwhile, the MTLT further declared that every Naga is a stakeholder in the Naga political issue and every Naga, more so a leader in the personality of Dr Jamir, has "every right to speak out and share opinions about the Naga issue."
“Stifling a person’s political opinion at this juncture, especially when all the issues are hopefully on the verge of being finalized, is something which the MTLT finds very disconcerting and unwarranted in a democratic society like the Nagas,” it added.
It further expressed hope that all the stakeholders, especially those at the “negotiating table and also those whose lives will be determined because of this much awaited Indo-Naga political problem, to show maturity and foresight as we endeavour for a better future for the Naga people.”
