NEW DELHI, Aug 9 - Asserting that there was no need to panic, Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang said that the agreement signed between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM was just the formula to end decades of conflict in the State.
�After meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I have come to know that the Naga accord is just a formula to settle the Naga conflict. It is just the beginning of a solution,� Zeliang said on Sunday while addressing a press conference.
�It is not an agreement, but a formula to start negotiations. There is no need to panic,� he stressed. There will be further discussion before a final agreement is signed, he added.
�I am happy that the Prime Minister is resolute in resolving the Naga conflict. It is important that the settlement has kept in mind the Naga cultural system and based it on their unique history. It is important that there is no political influence in the entire issue,� he said.
Zeliang also came to the rescue of the BJP-led NDA Government, stating that like other North Eastern States of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, Nagaland too was not consulted.
�In fact we were surprised. We don�t know the details of the agreement, but we welcome it,� Zeliang said.
As reported, the three Congress chief ministers have slammed the Modi Government for the manner in which the agreement was signed without taking them into confidence.
The Chief Minister said: �There is a difference between active participation and consultation. Consultation with the North Eastern States was very much there before signing the Naga accord.�
Replying to questions, he said that the proposed negotiations are likely to be given a final shape within this calendar year.
�A delegation of 16 members from the civil society will meet NSCN-K (Khaplang) and, if required, the other factions too, and try to persuade them to join the peace talks.
�The delegation consists of Naga Hoho, the apex body of all the Naga communities, and one more group.
�They have been given security clearance by the Ministry of Home Affairs to travel to Myanmar and hold talks with the NSCN-K, which has significant presence in Nagaland. We hope things are successful,� he said.
