New Delhi: In a crucial development and as a booster towards an early solution and final peace pact to the Naga issue, the pro-Solution group, NNPG, got the backing of the Nagas of Arunachal Pradesh.
In fact, close on the heels of an understanding between Nagas of Arunachal Pradesh and NNPG, the ruling coalition in Nagaland run by the NDPP-BJP-NPF regime has issued a statement saying – “the Indo-Naga peace talks are at the threshold of a final breakthrough”.
A joint statement issued by NNPG and Tirap Changlang Longdeng People’s Forum, Tirap Changlang Longdeng Women Association and Tirap Changlang Longdeng Students’ Federation says a joint meeting was held on Saturday, June 4, somewhere in Nagaland and the Arunachal Nagas
have decided to urge the NNPG to usher in an “honourable and acceptable political solution”.
“The clarity and transparency on the political and administrative aspects in talks between the Government of India and the NNPG,” were also acknowledged, the statement said.
The statement is signed, among others, by Kitovi Zhimomi, Convener, NNPG and Naga leaders from Arunachal Pradesh, including N. Changmi, Tuplam Kitnya, and (Mrs) Sengtung Rangsia.
The Naga National Political Group, NNPG, was floated in 2017. Headed by former militant leader N Kitovi Zhimomi, the umbrella organisation of seven armed groups operating within the state of Nagaland is in favour of an early signing of a peace pact.
Unlike the NSCN-IM, the NNPG has decided not to make a prestige issue of matters such as the Naga Flag and a separate Constitution.
“Our stand and deal with the Government of India is very open and transparent, the working committee of NNPG does not believe in secrecy…Our Status paper is clear,” Kitovi told journalists recently.
The NNPG insiders said earlier that Zeliangrong Baudi of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland had endorsed the Settled (Agreed) Position between the centre and Working Committee, NNPGs.
Within Nagaland, the much respected Nagaland Gaon Burrah Federation, 14 Tribal Bodies, Central Nagaland Tribal Council (of Aos, Semas and Lothas) and Nagaland Tribal Council had also urged the Centre to sign the
agreement on “whatsoever concluded as on October 31, 2019” at the earliest.
This development (support of Arunachal Nagas to NNPG) comes as a relief to those who want to work for peace and a solution amid continuous ‘hurdles’ to a final agreement by the NSCN-IM on the ground that its Flag and a separate Constitution was a must.
The Centre has categorically rejected the demand. In fact, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has personally urged Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and seasoned veteran S.C. Jamir to explain to the Naga people that it would be impossible for the centre to negotiate on the issues of flag and Constitution.
The Naga peace talks had begun during the tenure of I K Gujral as the Prime Minister.
Lately, it has been suggested that perhaps there were some errors or lapses in 1997 on the part of the Government of India as nothing concrete vis-à-vis the ceasefire and peace parleys were mentioned in writing.
Observers say while I K Gujral and his predecessor H D Deve Gowda could be blamed, the role of the country’s only communist Home Minister, Late Indrajit Gupta, has also come under the scanner.
