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Govt, civil societies agree on Naga issue

By Correspondent

DIMAPUR, Aug 1 - The Nagaland government and the Naga civil society groups have resolved to work together for an early solution of the Naga political issue and also endorsed the Nagaland Assembly resolution of July 27 on the issue.

Briefing media persons after a day-long consultative meet among the state government, civil society groups and tribal hohos at Jotsoma near Kohima on Friday, Chief Minister TR Zeliang informed that the consultative meet was held against the backdrop of the July 27 House resolution urging the government of India for an early settlement of the Naga political issue. Assembly Speaker Chotisuh Sazo was also present in the press briefing.

On the concluding day of the 9th session of the 12th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on July 27, the House unanimously resolved to reaffirm its resolutions on December 12, 1964, August 28, 1970, September 1994 and December 2003 on integration of all Naga contiguous areas under one administrative umbrella and urge upon the government of India and the NSCN(K) to resume the ceasefire agreement to create a conducive atmosphere for political negotiations. It was also resolved to urge the Centre for withdrawal of the Disturbed Area Act under AFSPA from the state, to appeal to all Naga political groups and civil societies to unite and work for an early settlement of the Naga political issue and permanent peace and to urge upon the government of India to expedite the Naga political dialogue so as to bring an early resolution to the Naga political issue.

Zeliang said the government of India was apprehensive that the Naga people might turn down its offer that may result in a deadlock. So in order to remove such misgivings, another consultative meet was mooted with Nagas living outside Nagaland, he added. He said Assembly Speaker Chotisuh Sazo would fix a date after convening a meeting of the Political Affairs Committee.

The chief minister said the Naga people deeply desire an early solution for peace and development and therefore Friday�s endorsement of the House resolution was unanimous where none of the tribal hohos or civil society groups disagreed with the House resolution. He said the endorsement of the government resolution by the tribal hohos and civil society groups would send a good message to the people of Nagaland including the government of India.

Such interface meetings will have the Interlocutor and the Naga political groups to understand the minds of the people and that unity and solution should go together so that Naga people can achieve peace and economic independence.

Zeliang asserted that �the Centre understood the whole Naga problem and was ready to solve the issue�. He said the Naga Legislators Forum would pursue the objective of getting all on board so that the government Interlocutor RN Ravi and the Naga political groups holding negotiations could understand the thinking of the Nagas .

�We strongly believe that if we move on this path, solution will be achieved,� he said. �We will work for unity while the process for solution will also continue.�

When queried about what was being negotiated by the NSCN(IM) with the government of India, Zeliang said there was no doubt that the leaders were for political solution and expressed optimism that the Naga leaders would do what is best for the people. Zeliang also said before finalisation of an agreement, consultations would be held with the Naga people on any offer made by the government of India.

Asked whether sovereignty and integration were not on the agenda, he reiterated that could be the stand of the government of India but they remained as talking points. Zeliang reminded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that if 100 percent was not possible today, the doors will still be open for the remaining 10 percent or 20 percent in future.

On the stand of the Eastern Naga People�s Organisation that unity precede solution, Zeliang said the former at Friday�s meet had reiterated that all should unite to pursue solution.

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