Nagaland Cong clears stand on Naga issue, says it initiated policy of ‘talks without pre-conditions’
DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 17 (MExN): The Convener of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) K. Therie has reminded about the assurance made by the Union Home Minister of bringing solution before the next election. Therie in a press note stated that “since the issue is complicated and sensitive and that since consensus from every section and neighbour states are required, it is taking more time than expected”. However, the senior Congress leader was confident that “solution is on the anvil”.
Therie stated this while making clear the stand of the Nagaland Congress Party to the people of Nagaland on the Naga political issue. Stating that it has been the constant policy to secure political solution peacefully, Therie pointed out that the Congress party has initiated the policy of “Talks without pre-conditions”.
“Finally, we won the heart of Late Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister and President AICC. He offered talks without pre-conditions at Dimapur Local ground on 19th May 1991”, Therie stated while terming as unfortunate for Nagaland in particular when Rajiv was brutally assassinated on 21st May 1991 at Purdumpur, Tamil Naidu.
Further the PAC Convener stated that the Congress made its stand clear once again in the election manifesto of 1993 that, the Congress would recognize Naga Political Problem “as a movement of the people and a human problem” and therefore, needs to be resolved through peaceful negotiation. “We have continued to lobby at Delhi and on 22nd Feb. 1996, Prime Minister Late P.V. Narasimha Rao came to the soil of Nagaland and offered talks with no conditions at Dimapur Stadium after which, Ceasefire agreements were signed”, stated the press note.
The Opposition Congress assured the people of Nagaland and Naga National Workers in particular that the party would put its full weight to “press the Govt. of India with our historical relations with the Congress party in the nation, for more sincerity and effort toward securing an early political solution”.
“People have observed DAN for over 9 years and have seen that it has no policy to play any role in securing solution and that it has failed leaving Congress to take initiative once again and play an active role”. Therie disclosed that he had written his personal opinion to all Naga National Working groups and also had serious consultations with the Governor of Nagaland. “He took keen interest and has even taken up with GOI”, Therie stated.
In the mean time, learning that GOI had received proposal from negotiating team, the PAC of NPCC decided not to intervene and wait and see the outcome. According to Therie, after a gap of one year when nothing happened, in May 2012, senior Congress leaders consulted all groups of Naga National Workers as to what should be done to secure solution?
Stating that everyone wanted early solution, as such, an 8 (eight) member Congress delegate headed by President and CLP demanded solution before the next election. Therie stated that the team had opportunity in meeting with Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and Madam Sonia Gandhi.
It was during this time that the Union Home Minister assured solution before the next election. “Since the issue is complicated and sensitive and that since consensus from every section and neighbour states are required, it is taking more time than expected. However, we are confident that solution is on the anvil”, Therie stated.
Pointing out that the Congress will and shall not deviate from the policy; it stated that what it had begun “shall have an ending despite of pain and humiliation”. “Congress Party is confident that given opportunity to rule, solution will surely be found wherein every Naga will be honorably placed and development of world class standards shall be taken forward. Many of us have taken oath in the name of God as a candidate and as Members of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly to be faithful and do right to all manner of people without fear or favour, affection or ill will. We shall not betray our oath”.
