The Concerned Naga Forum of Nagaland (CNFN) has raised concern on the protracted Naga political solution urging the state government and Government of India to resolve the issue without delay.
In a press release issued on March 23, the CNFN media cell informed that the forum held it general body meeting on March 21 at AIKO Green, Dimapur. In its deliberations, the CNFN focused on the inordinate delay of the long-awaited ‘Solution’ of the Naga political problem although the Framework Agreement of NSCN(IM) of 2015 and the Agreed Position of WC, NNPGs of 2017, have been signed – 11 years and 9 years ago. It pointed out that the negotiations started by the Government of India with the NSCN (IM) is now 29 years.
It also reminded that the former Governor of Nagaland R.N. Ravi, who was also the last interlocutor appointed by the Government of India, in his address to the Nagaland Assembly Sessions in 2020 and 2021, announced in Nagaland Legislative Assembly that all negotiations had been completed on October 31, 2019, announcing the closure of the talks between the Government of India and the Naga Negotiators.
“Ever since, no interlocutor has been appointed, as the formal negotiation is over. The matter has not been raised nor discussed in the August house. That being the actual status of the negotiations or the talks, the recent announcement of the Political Affairs Committee of the State bargaining to ‘resume’ or to ‘upgrade’ the negotiations to a ‘political level’ is nothing but a devious ploy to try and continue the talks indefinitely or continue, at least for another thirty years. The very motive undermines the two agreements mutually signed between the Gol and the negotiators on behalf of the Nagas. Such an attempt is nothing less than to continue to cling to power or Chair and derail the solution to the Naga political problem,” asserted the Forum.
It further observed that, following the signing of the two Agreements, there has been a proliferation of ‘Factions’, which now number over 30. The Forum was of the view that theexponential increase in the number of factions has consequently increased the quantum of violence inflicted upon the people of Nagaland.
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“In the guise of the unresolved Naga political issue vis-à-vis the indefinite negotiations, a neo modus operandi being introduced, equipped with ‘syndicate systems’ and ‘percentage cut’ in every business deal both in public and private sectors. The people of Nagaland, especially the common man, are groaning under the weight of legalised Mafia operation and institutionalised illegal taxation. The people are in the throes of a strangulated economy with everything stagnated and watching all other States like Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Assam etc. all rushing far ahead in consonance with the 21st Century. On the other hand, under this pseudo peace, the people of Nagaland suffer from all-pervading despair, injustices, systematic corruption and unbearable socio-economic burden,” stated the Forum.
In this regard, the CNFN has urged the opposition-less Government to stop “playing hypocritical games detrimental to the welfare of the people of Nagaland” but to become practical facilitators and not resort to destructive theoretical rhetoric.
It urged the state Government to officially endorse the two agreements by a resolution in the forthcoming assembly. The Forum also appealed the Government of India to immediately implement the agreements and deliver the long-awaited political solution to the people without any further delay.
