FILE PHOTO: Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio addresses the first-ever State function for ‘Cleanest ULBs and Wards Award-2022 Nagaland’ held at Capital Convention Centre, Kohima on June 28. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 18
Nagaland’s Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Monday said that the Parliamentary Committee on Naga Political Issue will do all possible to see that success comes out of the ongoing peace talks.
Talking to media persons after casting his vote for Presidential Elections 2022 here today, Rio said the Parliamentary Committee on Naga Political Issue, in its resolution point number 3, has requested the negotiation parties to refer to the competencies agreed in the Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015.
“It is signed by them and the competencies word is inserted in the Framework Agreement. So, that secret we do not know. It is with them. That is why we requested Prime Minister and Home Minister to call and discuss and sort out,” Rio said.
Mentionably, the Parliamentary Committee on Naga Political Issue on July 16 made an appeal to the negotiating parties to refer to the competencies reflected in the Framework Agreement signed between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) to arrive at a mutually acceptable definition of competencies to resolve “this contentious issue at the earliest, and bring about a final solution that is honourable, acceptable and inclusive.”
“Since the talks have been concluded officially on October 31, 2019, the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister is urged upon to invite the NSCN (IM) leaders for an early conclusion,” the resolution had stated.
On being asked on stand of the state government regarding Nagaland In-Service Doctors’ Association (NIDA) demanding the review of the cabinet decision on the superannuation issue of government doctors, the chief minister said that it is right for everybody to demand for their rights, “but the government will examine and take decision. So we stand by our cabinet decision.”
Cannot be two different agreements: Azo
Naga People’s Front (NPF) Legislature Party leader and co-chairman of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu maintained that the resolution of Parliamentary Committee on Naga Political Issue on July 16 was ‘the best among all the resolutions ever passed.’
“I think this will be a final push and the dynamics will be different now. Because, Delhi will have to take it seriously,” he told the media persons.
The 60 legislators including the two MPs are very serious on this, Azo said.
Replying to a query, he said that it cannot be two different agreements. “The Agreed Position and the Competencies clauses will be clubbed up together. They will do a comprehensive study on both the issues and then they will bring out the common draft and once the common draft is brought, then it will be given to public domain for public acceptance. Then only final agreement,” Azo maintained.
Azo said that the 7 NNPGs are already there in Delhi.
As per our resolution, Government of India has to take seriously and invite NSCN (IM) now, he added.
State govt will take follow up measures: TR Zeliang
Meanwhile, the PTI news agency citing UDA Chairman TR Zeliang, reported that the state government will take follow-up measures on the Naga political issue after NSCN (IM) takes the decision on going to Delhi for further talks.
The NSCN (IM) is likely to hold its meeting on the issue either on Monday or Tuesday on the issue and after it, if required the Parliamentary committee will follow it up, Zeliang said, according to PTI.
Zeliang reportedly told PTI that the NSCN (IM) leaders had left the May 13 meeting with the Centre's interlocutor AK Mishra in Delhi after seeing the formulation paper prepared by Mishra.
As per the PTI report, Zeliang said that the NSCN-IM had earlier said they would discuss and come back if required. But now they are not going back as per the decision taken during its May 31 assembly held in NSCN (IM) headquarters, Camp Hebron, the UDA Chairman told the PTI.
The stand of the NSCN (IM) remains the same - no agreement on the Naga Political Issue without a separate flag and constitution. So we (core committee of the Parliamentary Committee) requested Mishra to invite them officially so that they can discuss and if there is any chance they can reshape the formulation paper, Zeliang is said to have told the news agency.
Zeliang said that Mishra has already informed that the NSCN (IM) delegation can visit Delhi for discussions if its general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah, who is unwell, cannot, PTI reported.
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