DIMAPUR, Aug 5 - Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang reminded the Nagas of the challenges and responsibilities placed on their shoulders by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. After signing of the peace accord with the NSCN-IM on Monday, Modi said Nagas are not only to build a bright future for Nagaland but that their talents, tradition and efforts will also make India stronger, more secure and more inclusive and more prosperous in playing the role of guardians of the nation�s eastern frontiers.
The Chief Minister, therefore, asked the Nagas to seize the opportunity in rising up to the occasion and take up the trust and responsibilities placed on their shoulders by the nation. He also gave a clarion call to all Nagas to protect and uphold their unique history and identity and abide by the principle of �One People, One Vision and One Goal� so as to leave behind a worthwhile legacy which the future generation would remember and remain grateful for what they have done.
In his message, issued by the Media Cell of the CMO, Zeliang appealed to the Nagas to come together to share their feelings, views and aspirations so that they could collectively work to find a better and effective way to facilitate the Naga peace process so as to arrive at a settlement that was honourable and acceptable to all.
He also asked the Nagas not to shirk away from the expectations of the nation but endeavour their best with God-given abilities to make Nagaland a better place for themselves and the coming generations in reflecting the traditional pride, self-respect and confidence which they were proud of.
He called for collective wisdom in the days ahead where Nagas would have to seriously introspect their strengths and weaknesses, mend their ways as expected and at the same time, sink their petty differences and strive towards burying hatchets and forgetting the hurts of the past, if any.
The Chief Minister described the signing of the Naga Peace Accord as a welcome news which, he said, was borne out of collective efforts and pressures by all sections during the 17 years of dialogues. He reminded that the tempo for political dialogue was given the push during the past one or two months.
On the finer prints of the peace accord, Zeliang admitted that no one was yet aware of the contents but appealed against harbouring any negative thinking, either on the Prime Minister and the Government of India or the NSCN-IM leadership.
The Chief Minister reiterated his belief that Prime Minister Modi has a healthy attitude and respect for Nagas and would never do anything bad for them. He said rather Nagas should congratulate the Prime Minister for his bold and positive decision as a true statesman.
Zeliang said presently it appeared that the broad framework of the agreement had been worked out and exuded confidence that once the detailed modalities were worked out, all sections of the Naga society would be consulted before finalisation. He urged the people to hope that more positive situations would roll out of the Naga Peace Accord so that people would see the dawn of peace and development in Nagaland very soon.
