Manipur MLAs urge PM to resolve Naga problem

Major Events Vol. 3 Issue No. 32

August 1-15, 2007

Manipur MLAs urge PM to resolve Naga problem

”With the Naga peace process slated to complete 10 years on July 31, pressure is all set to mount on the Government of India to fix a time-frame to resolve the vexed issue. The internecine clashes between the two factions in Nagaland and the growing frustration over the long-drawn negotiation process has forced the Naga civil society to pressurise the Centre to act fast” opined a delegation of Naga MP and MLAs of Manipur when they met the Prime Minister recently. Calling for unification of Naga-inhabited areas, they have pleaded with the Prime Minister to adopt a time-bound strategy for an early political solution.

The delegation urged him to extend the ceasefire agreement for another period. The delegation included Mani Charenamei, Lok Sabha MP, Morung Makunga, Dr. Khashim Ruivah, Awangbou Newmai, K Raina, Danny Shaiza and Wungnaoshang Keishing, all MLAs.

“The Naga peace negotiation seems to be dragging on for too long without apparent results. It is our considered opinion that the Indo-Naga issue is purely a political problem, which has nothing to do with a constitutional crisis, and therefore, substantive issues should and must be solved politically,” the memorandum said.

“Any settlement reached between the Government of India and the NSCN short of Naga unification would mean creating more problems for the region and would not be acceptable to the Nagas. Gerrymandering of our lands by any parties with vested interest is not accepted by the Nagas as the stand of the Nagas for unification is imprescriptibly historical and political rights.”

“Nagas do not have confusion or quarrel or dispute with neighbouring communities nor do they claim others land.’ The Naga representatives made very clear to the Prime Minister that Nagas simply assert that they should be allowed to live together under one administrative roof and shape their future with their own genius, the memorandum said.

“The future course of negotiations and talks between the Government of India and the NSCN must be based on the “uniqueness of Nagas’ history and the situation.”

The delegation submitted the petitions to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, Defence Minister AK Anthony, chairman of the Group of Ministers and Union Minister of State, Oscar Fernandes, among others.

Naga groups seek solution

Naga groups demanded “some concrete steps” from the Centre and not just the extension of the ceasefire between security forces and NSCN-IM, which ends on July 30, to pave the way for solution to the insurgency in Nagaland. “Some concrete steps have to be taken on our demands. We have been having talks for the past 10 years and things are not moving forward,” said Neingulo Krome, secretary general of Naga Hoho, an apex tribal council.

“Things have been moving at a snail’s pace. We should leave the extension issue to the wisdom of the negotiating team,” Krome said on the sidelines of a convention on the Centre-Naga talks.

“Repetition of the government’s old strategy of delaying tactics won’t help our cause,” said Khesheli Chishi, president of the Naga Mothers Association.

“Negotiators from the North East also failed to help resolve insurgencies in the region as well as key issues like the demand for a unified Naga state despite 10 years of talks,” she said.

N Venuh, secretary general of the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights said: “Given the past experience, we do not see any breakthrough. But we still hope that something fruitful takes place.

“The government is not at all serious in solving the political impasse,” he said.

The Centre has held several rounds of talks with the NSCN-IM since New Delhi announced a ceasefire with the rebel group in August 1997.

The Naga Students’ Federation echoed similar views.

“The government should show sincerity in the talks and try to find a solution as soon as possible,” said its president Imchatoba Imchen.

The NSCN-IM’s demand for unification of Naga-inhabited areas in the North East and issues related to clashes between rival Naga factions are expected to be taken up during the upcoming two-day talks on July 21-22.

The NSCN-IM delegation, led by its chairman Isak Chisi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah, are already camping here for the talks with a Group of Ministers headed by Oscar Fernandes.

The NSCN-IM has submitted a charter of demands to the government, including a separate constitution for Nagaland, a “new and unique” relationship with New Delhi and unification of Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

However, these three states have rejected this demand. The government too has not made any commitment on the issue so far.

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