‘Assam CM told Core Committee there is room for accommodating flag and Constitution’
Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 2
Following the May 28 meeting with the NSCN (IM) leadership, the Nagaland Legislative Assembly’s Parliamentary Core Committee on the Naga Political Issue sat down again. This time, it was with the Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who came to Dimapur on June 2 to meet the Core Committee in the evening, behind closed doors at the Nagaland Police Complex in Chümoukedima.
It was a highly confidential meeting with no unauthorized persons allowed near.
The Core Committee was led by Convenor and Nagaland Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio along with Co-convenor TR Zeliang. Others who attended, included Neiba Kruno, G Kaito Aye, Metsubu Jamir, P Paiwang Konyak, Jacob Zhimomi, H Haying, Imkong L Imchen, Yitachu, YM Yollow Konyak, R Khing, Tongpang Ozukum, K Khalo, Pangnyu Phom, Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu, Dr Ngangshi K Ao and Rajya Sabha Member, S Phangnon Konyak.
The official transcripts of the meeting remained confidential but as disclosed by NPF turned NDPP legislator, Imkong L Imchen, the Assam CM told the Core Committee that there was sufficient room for accommodating the NSCN (IM) stand on the Flag and Constitution.
The talks have not made much headway since disagreement arose over the insistence for incorporating a separate Naga flag and Constitution in the anticipated final settlement.
“He (Sarma) was quite positive about the flag and constitution demand of the NSCN (IM). The way he explained I was quite satisfied,” Imchen told The Morung Express, while adding that the Assam CM was quite positive that a settlement will be arrived sooner than later.
On the Core Committee’s newfound desire to requisition the help of Sarma, Imchen said that the former “has a sincere concern to see that the naga issue is amicably settled at the earliest. He is putting all his effort. We are quite appreciative of his efforts.”
He, however, maintained that Sarma will not be directly involving in the negotiations rather, “especially as the chairperson of the NEDA (North-East Democratic Alliance), we require his good office’s intervention.”
“We also impressed upon him that the articles of the competencies should also be taken up with right earnestness,” he said. Queried if he and the Core Committee or Sarma have seen the contents of the Government of India’s Framework Agreement with the NSCN (IM), Imchen claimed, “I am yet to see the document… the articles of the competencies. I am not aware that Himanta has also been shown the contents.”
According to him, he was only “sharing the substantive portion of the (meeting) discussion,” with the Agreed Position with the NNPGs also among the points discussed. He said, “We emphasised that there should be only agreement for the one solution… final settlement has to be arrived taking into confidence all the stakeholders.”
On this, Sarma was said to have “made a serious appeal that they should come together because there cannot be a piecemeal solution.”
Imchen acknowledged that “there is apprehension in our public domain,” which he held is a natural reaction. “But I want to assure the good office of Himanta Biswa, as the chairperson of NEDA, is essentially important.”
