It is tragic that the long-cherished dream of the Naga people to solve the Naga political issue, which was then so close, is now apparently a distant dream, said Naga Hoho’s memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi
TFM Desk
Naga Hoho, an apex body of Nagas, has submitted a memorandum to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him to personally monitor the Indo-Naga peace talk. It is the only way forward to resolve the Naga Political Issue, it said.
In the memorandum signed by its president HK Zhimomi and general secretary K Elu Ndang, Naga Hoho said today, the Naga people have become very restive with the way Peace Talk has been conducted. The signing of the historic Framework Agreement between the Government of India and the NSCN on the 3rd of August 2015 under your guidance and leadership brought about great joy and hope to the Naga people. Now seven years have gone since the signing of the agreement but instead of resolving the issue, the negotiation has run into brinkmanship, it added.
It further said, “We anticipated the solution which could have arrived early had the Government of India translated the Framework into practical reality. The Naga people are now polarized between the two agreements- the Framework Agreement of 2015 and the Agreed Position of 2017.”
It is tragic that the long-cherished dream of the Naga people to solve the Naga political issue, which was then so close, is now apparently a distant dream, it lamented.
The memorandum maintained that the delicate nature of the Naga Political issue requires introspection of how the past agreements of 9 Points Agreement in 1947, 16 Points Agreement of 1960 with the Naga People Convention and the infamous Shillong Accord of 1975 failed to bring about lasting peace between the Government of India and the Nagas. Employing the same method to resolve the Naga issue will only breed more suspicion than understanding between the two parties, it added.
The memorandum raised four points with the prime minister to bring about a permanent and early solution.
They are:
- To remember how the peace process was initiated by the Government of India in 1997 with three conditions: i) that, the talks should be unconditional ii) That the talks shall be at the highest level i.e. the Prime Ministerial level and iii) that, the venue of the talk shall be outside India, in the third country.
- While addressing the core issue on Naga political process, India as one of the strong contenders in global leadership with sensitivity to geo political dynamics in the region, will creatively and realistically formulate a mutually agreeable proposal to resolving the protracted political conflict.
- As the nature of the case requires and demands a political solution, the Hon’ble Prime Minister must demonstrate statesmanship and will in the political leadership to personally monitor the talk which is the only way forward to resolve the issue.
- In order to create a favourable environment for constructive engagement by repealing the infamous AFSPA of 1958 from all the Naga inhabited areas.
The memorandum stated that India under several Prime Ministers of India – PV Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, HD Deve Gowda, IK Gujral and Dr Manmohan Singh – has taken keen interest in resolving the Naga Political issue, which is still continuing. It expressed confidence that under his strong leadership, Naga political issue will find honourable solution which is acceptable to both the parties and bring about enduring peace in this strategic geographical location which is considered as a gateway to the South East Asian countries.
“The desire of Naga Hoho is to bring durable peace between India and the Nagas in the spirit of peaceful co-existence as agreed in the Framework Agreement,” it added.
Recalling the prime minister’s statement that “Come! Let us together build a new, resurgent, stronger and more prosperous India and Nagaland” in his visit to Kohima during Hornbill Festival seven years ago, the memorandum said Naga people yearn for permanent peace with India during his time and partner together towards progress and prosperity of the two people.
“Let us remind each other that Naga people will be truthful and committed towards making Nagaland a strong regional ally of India,” concluded the memorandum.