DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 29 (MExN): “Resolution of the Indo-Naga peace process is at the top of the NPF agenda”, stated Chief Minister Neiphiu addressing the 7th General Convention of the Naga People’s Front held in Dimapur on Thursday, November 29. The DDSC Stadium witnessed a sizeable turnout of supporters and party workers from all over Nagaland for the convention, in what can be termed as show of strength in Congress bastion - Dimapur.
Stating that the NPF has never deviated from its stand on the Naga political issue, Rio said, “We have made a political commitment to the people that we will pave way for any alternative arrangement that is honourable and acceptable to the people and that which will logically conclude the ongoing peace process.” While withholding the agenda, the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, irrespective of party affiliations, formed the Joint Legislature Forum, he added. On the NPF’s role, he said, “we adopt the policy of a facilitator in between the Government of India and the Naga nationalists.”
Terming the initiative as a significant milestone in the quest for permanent peace, Rio said that the JLF resolution of resigning in the event of a settlement still stands. He was quick to add that it does not mean the legislators should or would resign before it comes. “Such a scenario will create a crisis and has the possibility of bringing about imposition of President’s rule.”
The NPF also remains committed to “Integration of all Naga contiguous area” as enshrined in its constitution, Rio said. In this direction, the party has made significant sacrifices to bring the Naga people together, “so that we can have emotional and political integration… (and) towards this end, we have extended our wings into Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.”
Speaking mostly in Nagamese, Rio said that the uniqueness of Naga history, identity and culture was recognized by the British and later by the Indian Union. Based on this, Nagas of Nagaland were granted special status via Article 371 (A) for the protection of the Naga identity. “The policies and principles of this party are to protect the unique history, identity and culture of the Naga people,” Rio said, while paying homage to the founders and pioneers of the party. The NPF traces its roots to the now defunct Democratic Party of Nagaland formed in 1963.
Coming to the Naga struggle for sovereignty, Rio said that it emerged out of the need to safeguard the Naga people’s unique identity, history and culture. However, in the early stages of the struggle for sovereignty, Nagas were not fortunate enough to have been united as they are today and taking advantage of this “adversaries divided the Nagas.” As a result, today, Nagas are spread in four states of India and a sizeable part in Myanmar, he said, while going on to state that the NPF recognizes Nagas, wherever they maybe, as one people. Another important aim of the party is to emotionally integrate the Naga people irrespective of political boundaries, he added.
While the Naga people wait in anticipation of a solution, Rio said that one important thing Nagas must give seriously ponder on is - ‘what kind of solution awaits the Nagas if at all there is a settlement’. Taking the 16-point agreement as an instance, he said that the accord was not honoured in its entirety by the Government of India (GoI). He cited the contravention of certain clauses of the accord by the GoI on several occasions since its signing - the unilateral handing over of responsibility of looking after the affairs of Nagaland to the Ministry of Home Affairs from the Ministry of External Affairs in 1973, the abandonment of clause 11 (relating to financial assistance) in 1989, not fulfilling clause 12 relating to transferring control of reserve forests to Nagaland, clause 13 (integration of Naga contiguous areas) over which there is crisis unable to implement it, and the dropping of clause 8 (relating to local self government) in 1994.
Rio went on to state that the governments of the time failed to even raise a voice against the flouting of the accord’s clauses. “Why nobody complained…. Because the government of the time had no concern for the Nagas… the regional party was not in power that time.” Today political-peace talk is in progress and if at all an agreement results will it be honoured or will it be flouted later, he further asked. “We have peace today; however for permanent peace we want a permanent solution.”
On the NPF led DAN government’s performance, he said that it has achieved quite a lot yet has not been able to accomplish what it intended to do citing certain difficulties. Taking a potshot at the opposition, he said that the Congress has branded the DAN as a ‘ribbon-cutting government’. On the other hand, it means commissioning finished projects, he added. “Unlike national parties, we do not have any high command. The people are our real high command… The NPF draws our strength from the people’s support.”
NPF President and Urban Development Minister, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu termed the conclave as a crucial one because it may be the last before a solution to the Naga political problem is brought about. And it may also be the last before the next state elections. Affirming the stand of the present government as facilitator, he said, “Towards this goal, we have made declaration that ‘in the event of a political settlement arrived at, we will not stand on the way but pave the way by stepping down from our position to allow any alternative arrangement to come stay and day any hour. We have made this declaration in the Constitution of our Party, in our Manifesto and also in our Common Minimum Programme. We will remain true to our commitment till the goal is achieved.”
