Kohima, August 26 (MExN): The Working Committee of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) has endorsed the decision of the NPF Legislature Party to withdraw from the Joint Legislators’ Forum (JLF) on Naga political issue and boycotting of the recent one-day Assembly session held on August 13.
This was informed in a statement issued by the Working Committee following a meeting at the NPF Central Office in Kohima on Wednesday. It said that several resolutions were adopted during the meeting.
“Keeping in mind the urgency of honourably resolving the Indo-Naga political issue, the working committee of the NPF appeals to the negotiating parties and the government of India to expedite the political negotiations and bring to a logical conclusion so as to usher in peace and tranquility in the Northeast region as well as in the entire Indian sub-continent,” the statement read.
In any political negotiations the parties engaged in the negotiations should have the spirit of mutual understanding, it said, while appealing the negotiating parties “to hammer out all contentious issues in the right spirit and there should be room for concessions.”
Reiterating the NPF’s commitment towards a peaceful solution to the Indo-Naga political issue, the Working Committee resolved to continue to put all its effort as facilitators. It also resolved to constitute Political Affairs Mission (PAM) comprising party officials and legislature wing “to actively carry forward the party’s endeavour to bridge the gap between the entities”.
It entrusted the party President and the Leader of the NPF Legislature Wing to constitute members to the PAM.
It also took stock of the present ‘fragile’ political situation and reiterated the party’s stand on “honourable, acceptable and inclusive solution of the Naga Political issue,” and appealed to all the other groups who are yet to join the peace process to reconsider their stand.
On the upcoming by-elections in Nagaland and Manipur, the house has “decided to take steps according to the given situation,” it said.
It also put on record the failure of the government on various fronts, which it said was “appalling,” particularly the economic condition of the daily wage earners and rural public of the state.
NPF will remain facilitators: TR Zeliang
Meanwhile, the NPF Press Bureau issued a separate statement, informed that the Leader of Opposition, TR Zeliang, briefed the house on the reasons for boycotting the recent Assembly session and withdrawal from the JLF on Naga political issue.
It said that Zeliang elaborated on the series of events that led to the boycott of the Assembly session and said that “the dignity of the NLA and its democratic principles were repeatedly abused on the pretext of implementing COVID-19 measures and in order to protect democratic practices and to maintain the sanctity of the NLA, the Opposition Party boycotted the one-day session.”
With regard to the JLF, Zeliang said that “There was huge trust deficit in the JLF on Naga political issue and there was no further purpose in continuing this Forum.”
According to the statement, Zeliang said that there was “neither real activity nor productivity on the ground,” and that there was no valid reason for NPF to remain in the JLF as “the ruling dispensation did not have confidence in the Legislators of the Naga Peoples’ Front.”
However, the Opposition Leader asserted that the party has not walked away from its mission as facilitators.
“As committed to the people, I strongly feel that the party should carry forward with the principle of inclusiveness in solving the long pending Naga political issue and in this regard, I suggest that the party constitute a PAC to deal with the Naga political issue,” Zeliang said.
