UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made their scheduled visit to Manipur on December 3 where the duo inaugurated several development projects besides addressing a public rally in Imphal. The visit was awaited with keen interested and many would have considered it as significant given that several unresolved issue remains and people in the region including the Nagas would have been looking forward to what the two leaders had to say. The visit came in the backdrop of the decision of the United Naga Council (UNC) to lift its 100-day economic blockade on the Manipur side of two national highways without any condition but with a caveat that agitation would be re-launched if the government did not make an ‘alternative arrangement’ for Nagas in the State. This column feels that the Nagas of Manipur had done the right and honorable thing to ensure that an atmosphere of trust and confidence was created as the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh along with Sonia Gandhi also the President of the Indian National Congress comes calling. Nagas of Manipur under the UNC had to also make sure that the visit of India’s Prime Minister and the Congress President was treated with respect and appreciation of the Government of India’s own resolve to find a solution to the Naga issue within the current term of the UPA government. And this, the UNC was able to do unlike the unfortunate ‘naked protest’ of youths belonging to the Manipur People’s Party.
Time to Come Clean on the Indo-Naga Issue
This newspaper is of the opinion that that the onus now lies with Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh as UPA Chairperson and Prime Minister respectively to come clean on the Indo-Naga issue and the more than fifteen years of ceasefire and political dialogue. If there are difficulties these must be clearly spelled out by the two leaders. And to overcome such difficulties if there are other opportunities or political alternatives, then this must also be shared with the people. Several memorandums have already been given to the PM and UPA Chairperson including the latest one by the UNC during the visit to Imphal. This is a welcome opportunity for Manmohan and Sonia to present a clearer picture of the Indo-Naga political dialogue. For far too long now there has been too many voices speaking different things only adding to the uncertainty and fear. In fact we need honesty and conviction from the PM and UPA Chairperson. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee of the BJP led NDA government was appreciated because he spoke boldly about the issue. With conviction he recognized the unique history and situation of the Nagas. He was also honest to tell the Nagas that state boundaries cannot be redrawn unless there was political consensus of other neighboring states. Vajpayee made this statement during his historic visit to Nagaland. Many Nagas would have surely been utterly disappointed but nevertheless his honesty was appreciated.
The Naga political issue has always been viewed with suspicion both by the political and military establishment in India and also the neighboring States. At least now things are not so bad especially with the Government of India having recognized the genuineness of the issue. Delhi is now better aware and educated on the complexities as well as the importance of resolving the Naga question. We believe that the commitment of the Nagas for a peaceful resolution of the longest running conflict in the region should be reciprocated in equal measure by the Government of India. And they can do their part by facilitating an honorable and early solution. This will mean bringing on board the respective governments of the region and persuading them to accept the reality of a political settlement with the Nagas. The Congress led UPA government at the Centre is in the best position to do this because the ruling dispensations in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh are all from the Congress. With Assembly election in Manipur only a few months away and the assurance given by the Prime Minister himself that the Naga issue will be settled within the present tenure of the UPA government, time is running out. Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh must to do the needful.
Time to Come Clean on the Indo-Naga Issue
This newspaper is of the opinion that that the onus now lies with Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh as UPA Chairperson and Prime Minister respectively to come clean on the Indo-Naga issue and the more than fifteen years of ceasefire and political dialogue. If there are difficulties these must be clearly spelled out by the two leaders. And to overcome such difficulties if there are other opportunities or political alternatives, then this must also be shared with the people. Several memorandums have already been given to the PM and UPA Chairperson including the latest one by the UNC during the visit to Imphal. This is a welcome opportunity for Manmohan and Sonia to present a clearer picture of the Indo-Naga political dialogue. For far too long now there has been too many voices speaking different things only adding to the uncertainty and fear. In fact we need honesty and conviction from the PM and UPA Chairperson. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee of the BJP led NDA government was appreciated because he spoke boldly about the issue. With conviction he recognized the unique history and situation of the Nagas. He was also honest to tell the Nagas that state boundaries cannot be redrawn unless there was political consensus of other neighboring states. Vajpayee made this statement during his historic visit to Nagaland. Many Nagas would have surely been utterly disappointed but nevertheless his honesty was appreciated.
The Naga political issue has always been viewed with suspicion both by the political and military establishment in India and also the neighboring States. At least now things are not so bad especially with the Government of India having recognized the genuineness of the issue. Delhi is now better aware and educated on the complexities as well as the importance of resolving the Naga question. We believe that the commitment of the Nagas for a peaceful resolution of the longest running conflict in the region should be reciprocated in equal measure by the Government of India. And they can do their part by facilitating an honorable and early solution. This will mean bringing on board the respective governments of the region and persuading them to accept the reality of a political settlement with the Nagas. The Congress led UPA government at the Centre is in the best position to do this because the ruling dispensations in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh are all from the Congress. With Assembly election in Manipur only a few months away and the assurance given by the Prime Minister himself that the Naga issue will be settled within the present tenure of the UPA government, time is running out. Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh must to do the needful.
