Oscar plea for Naga unity

Delhi’s pointsman in the Naga talks, Oscar Fernandez, said unification of all warring Naga groups was imperative to take the “stalled peace process” forward.

Fernandez said disunity among the various Naga factions was the main hurdle in the peace process and that only “unification” would lead to an early solution.

“If all the underground factions join hands, it will be the easiest method to find a solution to the Naga problem,” he said

His statement is likely to give a new dimension to the ongoing controversy in the state over the unification efforts by a breakaway faction of the Isak-Muivah group.

A few members of the NSCN (I-M), led by its former home minister (klo kilonser), Azheto Chophy, recently broke away to form the NSCN (Unification) to try and bring unity among the Naga militant groups.

The NSCN (I-M) leadership, however, has questioned the manner the nascent outfit was trying to push the unity agenda and declared a “state of emergency”.

Contradicting national security adviser M.K. Narayanan’s view that the peace process in Nagaland has slowed down, Fernandez said the talks are on the right tracks.

“Peace talks are on the right track and we are now dealing with the technical aspects of the talks to arrive at a viable solution.”

He added that a technical committee, comprising government officials and NSCN (I-M) members, has been constituted to arrive at an acceptable formula.

“Both sides are working on the technical aspects and we hope that the matter will be discussed in the next meeting to be announced shortly.”

The Congress leader, however, avoided speaking on the manifesto released by the party in Nagaland seeking integration of all Naga inhabited areas, saying he was yet to see the manifesto.

“I have not seen the manifesto and during my trip to Nagaland, I will find out the content of the manifesto.”

Asked further on the party’s stand on the matter, Fernandez said, “It is a sensitive issue. If you have a copy of the manifesto, I am eager to see that”.

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