Opposition seeks clarity on Indo-Naga talks

Our Correspondent
Kohima | February 7 

Opposition MLAs of the Naga People’s Front (NPF) today sought clarity on the status of the Naga political talks while simultaneously urging the PDA government in the State to review its stand on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). 

Participating in the debate on motion of thanks to the Governor’s address, MLA Chotisuh Sazo urged negotiating parties in the talks to take all sections into confidence. “We, being the elected representatives of people and also as stakeholders, need to know the outcome of the talk,” he said.

NPF MLA Imkong L Imchen meanwhile claimed that the Government of the day is confusing the public on the Naga political talks and asked the government to make clear if talks have really concluded. 

NPF MLA, Y Vikheho Swu meanwhile asked the PDA government to help bridge gaps between the negotiating parties and the Government of India. “It would be productive if the GoI discloses to the Naga people and to all the stakeholders what has been agreed or negotiated so far,” he said.  Swu meanwhile urged for creation of a space for other Naga political groups who are not yet part of the dialogue to join the process.

CAA & RIIN
On the Citizenship Amendment Bill, Sazo called for the NLA to pass a resolution to “oppose this contentious CAA 2019.” Swu meanwhile also called for the PDA to review its stand on the Act. 

He also touched on the proposed RIIN exercise, and stated that “It will be much better exercise to list out non indigenous Nagas of Nagaland and other communities and ascertain their status, than to abruptly discard them by way of listing out indigenous inhabitant of Nagaland alone,” he recommended.

From the ruling dispensation’s side, Nagaland Health & Family Welfare Minister, S Pangnyu Phom mentioned that PDA government has always considered the early settlement of Naga political issue by acting as the facilitator between the Government of India and NPGs. He also expressed his appreciation to the opposition party, civil societies, churches etc for actively supporting the government.

Phom stated that the RIIN has been introduced to ensure that “our identity and rights are protected.” He meanwhile informed that the law and order situation in the state has also improved.

He also mentioned that the government is giving concerted efforts to provide quality health care system in the state, where the state government is committed to complete the upcoming Medical College by 2021-22.