Differing from the earlier notice, only Naga political issue (peace process) and the controversial ULB elections would be discussed. This had been necessitated due to time constraints as it was felt that it there too many an issue(s) to be deliberated.
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Nagaland government on Sunday issued the consolidated list of invitees for the consultative meeting scheduled for March 9, 10 am in the State Banquet Hall, Chief Minister’s Residential Complex, Kohima. The meeting will discuss the protracted Naga peace and political process, and election to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) of the state.
A communiqué issued by Home Commissioner Nagaland Abhijit Sinha informed that along with all the MLAs, chief minister Neiphiu Rio, deputy CM, Patton, all the advisors along with senior officials would be attending the meeting representing the government. The government has also invited many tribal NGOs, political parties, Church bodies and select Naga intellectuals.
When contacted, Abhijit Sinha, told this correspondent, the meeting circulation which was earlier notified on March 3 had to be consolidated due to some “confusions”. The Home Commissioner also informed that differing from the earlier notice, only Naga Political Issue (peace process) and the controversial ULBs elections would be discussed. This had been necessitated due to time constraints as it was felt that it there too many issue(s) to be discussed, no meaningful conclusion could be arrived at given the limited time frame. Sinha said that the government was yet to take a call on convening another meeting so as to discuss other issues.
The consolidated list of invitees to the meeting also includes the presidents/convenors of political parties/organisations with two representatives each from Bharatiya Janata Party, Nagaland State Unit; Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee; Janata Dal (United), Nagaland; Naga People’s Front; Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party; National People’s Party; Lok Janshakti Party; Nationalist Congress Party; Rising People’s Party; Nagaland Joint Christian Forum; Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization; Central Nagaland Tribes Council; Tenyimi Peoples’ Organization; Naga Hoho; Naga Mothers’ Association; Eastern Nagaland Women Organization; Naga Students’ Federation; Eastern Nagaland Students’ Federation; Angami Public Organization; Ao Senden; Chakhesang Public Organization; Chang Khulei Setsang; Nagaland Garo Tribal Council; Kachari Tribal Council Nagaland; Karbi (Mikir) Union, Nagaland; Konyak Union; Khiamniungan Tribal Council; Kuki lnpi (Nagaland); Lotha Hoho; Phom People Council; Pochury Hoho; Rengma Hoho; Sumi Hoho; Tikhir Tribal Council; United Sangtarn Likhum Pumji; Yimkhiung Tribal Council; Zeliang Peoples Organization; Nagaland Gaon Bura Federation; Forum for Naga Reconciliation; Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights; and Global Naga Forum.
Individuals invited to the consultative meet include Naga peace activist Neiketu Iralu, Rev Wati Aier of Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), Dietho Angami, Rev Pongsing Konyak, Rev Kethosier Aniu Kevichüsa and Prof Visier Sanyu.
It may be mentioned that in the notification issued on March 3, the government had listed four agendas to be discussed at the meeting– Naga peace process, ULB election, AFSPA and NLTP Act. However, as per the notification issued on March 5, only two agendas have been listed for the meeting– Naga peace process and ULB election.
Rising People’s Party (RPP) that has entered its 14th day of “A Walk to Save Nagaland” on Sunday reached Kiphire district and are still on its 40-day mission of touring all the districts of Nagaland.
Joel Naga, RPP president, Nagaland, talking to this correspondent said that at this juncture, his party is highlighting the movement against corruption, ways to save Nagaland from self-serving leaders, and the demand for removal of AFSPA, movement against backdoor appointments. None of these issues have figured in the agenda of the consultative meeting scheduled for March 9.
On the ULBs election which is one of the two issues to be discussed, Joel said RPP has been talking about the issue right from the start. He reminded that Nagaland government in its first consultative meet on the ULB issue, no women’s organizations or representatives were invited or included.
Chakhesang Public Organization (CPO), one of the CSOs invited, will attend the meeting on March 9. Talking to this correspondent, CPO vice-president Vecito Dozo, however said that no official invitation letter was received on this regard. CPO came to know about the meeting only through the circular/notification published in some local dailies.
Though he does not want to go in-depth into the matter as there was no briefing from the government, Dozo said the issues will be first discussed within CPO members on Monday. Meanwhile, when contacted many of the CSOs disclosed that they have not received any individual official invites but came to know about the meeting through the media.