Karaibo Chawang
Kohima | July 21
Union Minister of state for Programme Implementation and Statistics, and the leader of the Ministerial team on Indo-Naga peace talks, Oscar Fernandes, chose to remain hush-hush from disclosing the nitty-gritty of the talk outcomes with the NSCN-IM, stating that it would not do so unless a final deal is struck. In separate press conferences in Dimapur and Kohima, the Union Minister said the results of the talks could not be disclosed because of the ‘gravity of the situation’. He said the result of the talks would be announced only when a ‘100% concrete solution’ would be arrived at.
Oscar, who addressed the media this evening at Raj Bhavan at Kohima after his close interaction with the Council of Ministers, key Naga NGOs and the Congress party workers on the ongoing peace process, said that he could not disclose the details of the talks outcome unless the whole thing is agreed upon and signed by both the parties.
He, however, admitted that all the 30 points charter of demands submitted by the NSCN-IM have been discussed point by point and is under serious consideration as to how to go about it. The demands of the NSCN (IM), he said, could be bifurcated into the integration issue and the ‘relationship’ between both parties- namely the sovereignty issue, he said at Dimapur. “We have gone into it several times”, Oscar said, but refused to comment further. Oscar said that NSCN-IM has two demands- the integration of the Naga areas and sovereignty for final settlement, but, for India it is ‘relationship’, and alluded the query as what actually he mean by ‘relationship’, stating that different groups have its own translation. He said talks were being held under a congenial atmosphere.
Oscar however warned that a rosy picture should not be painted at the moment because the talks are progressing, though at a slow pace. He was quick to add that progress is being made anyway. Echoing the mood of the people as relayed to him, he said the people’s voice of an early settlement rather than simply extending the ceasefire was also concern for Delhi.
Welcoming the decision of civil organizations for an early agreement, Oscar said he welcomes the decision of the people and that Delhi was also looking forward to an honourable and lasting solution as propagated by the NPCC.
On the integration issue, he said a commission to absorb the interests of all parties concerned was the answer.
However, the Minister denied mentioning anything about a package deal or of trying striking a settlement on ‘special package’ with the NSCN-IM during the last rounds of talks.
Oscar met state Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Council of Ministers, and key Naga NGOs - the Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers Association, NSF and congress party workers today.
All the NGOs were reported to have told the visiting minister that time has come for both the Government of India and NSCN-IM to arrive at a final settlement that would put an end to half a century year old conflict.
This visit of the Union Minister, who is heading the ministerial team on Indo-Naga peace talks, to the state assumes significance as he was here to garner the opinion and views of the Naga public and the state government on the current peace process.
Oscar was also reported to have appraised the NGOs of the progress made in the last round of talks. “I have told them that we have made a major progress in the talks, and it is in right direction”, Oscar said during a press briefing at Raj Bhavan.
He will take the opinion and views of the Naga public here, to the next round of talks slated to be held in Bangkok on July 28-29, and this is likely to form the basis of discussion.
The Minister said that meeting had been held in New Delhi recently, although inconclusive, to strengthen ceasefire monitoring mechanisms so as to find out the possibility of discouraging factional feud amongst the Naga National workers.
However, Oscar indirectly hinted that factional clash is a state subject, on contrary to the contention put forth by the state government that it is a political problem. “The role of government of India is not there. It is your position, your own interpretation”, Oscar said, further adding that the center would act only when requested by the state government.
But the minister agreed that factional clashes have an adverse impact on the peace process. He said “I agree on that. That is why we went to Bangkok for talks, and we are working on it. Early meeting will be convened again to strengthen the monitoring mechanism”. Oscar leaves by train on the Rajdhani Express from Dimapur tonight.
Muivah was grilled because of communication gap: Oscar
Meanwhile, Oscar Fernandes admitted that the NSCN-IM General Secretary TH. Muivah was grilled by Thai authority yesterday, however, fervently denied any Indian hand in it.
But said that it was already sorted out and Muivah was released. He said that the incident occured because of communication gap. “We don’t have anything do to with it, or act that way”, Oscar told the media. He further said that before Muivah left Amsterdam for Bangkok, yesterday, he himself spoke to the embassy there.
“When even our ministers are also going to Bangkok for talks why should we act that way”, Oscar added.
Morung Express News
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