Initiating the discussion of public importance on the issue pertaining to Naga political issue on the last day of the 5th session of 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly on 29th August 2024, MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu said in order to keep the Naga political history and aspiration known to younger generation, there is the need to include Naga political history as a subject in the education system. He dwelled on the signing of the Framework agreement on 3rd August 2015 and the signing of Agreed position on 17th November 2017 and the declaration of talks are concluded in 31st October 2019.
Nienu suggested that in order to make the talk successful, Legislature should not play the role of facilitators only but should also be a part of negotiation also in order to bring the long awaited dream to a logical conclusion.
Nuklutoshi, MLA, participating in the discussion, said that the Naga political issue is the most important and pertinent issue for all the Nagas today. He said that the desire for self-determination of the Nagas should not be ignored any longer. He further called for transparency from all sides while formulating any framework agreement between the NNPGs and the Government of India. He urged the Legislators to act as facilitators and provide a platform for healthy and fruitful discussion among all stakeholders and bring a reasonable solution to the long standing Naga Political issue.
MLA, Dr. Sukhato A. Sema, also took part in the discussion on, Nagaland Political Issue.
Minister Roads & Bridges, G. Kaito Aye urged the State Government to pressurize the Central Government and the negotiation party to abide by the framework agreement and agreed position. Aye stressed on the need to take up the issue seriously and urged the state government to write to the negotiators to settle the long standing Naga political issues.
MLA, Jwenga Seb said that the initial and most crucial step we must undertake is to unify ourselves. He remarked that we must “clean our kitchen” before we can effectively engage with external entities as unity is not just a desirable goal, it is an absolute necessity for any meaningful progress.
Seb also strongly advocate for the consolidation of the major civil society organisations such as Tenyimi Union of Nagaland (TUN), Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC), and Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organization (ENPO) into a single Naga Apex Body. Seb added that the unified body would serve as the primary platform for discussing the contents of the Framework Agreement (FA) and Agreed Position (AP).
Seb expressed optimistism that through unity, dialogue, and careful deliberation, we can achieve a solution that honors the aspirations and rights of the Naga people.
Minister for Housing & Mechanical Engineering, P. Bashamongba Chang appealed to the Legislators to take their moral responsibilities and come together in order to bail out of their own people.
MLA Naiba Konyak apprised that the national workers have a wide philosophy, vision and wisdom and appealed the people to unite for the early solution.
Advisor, NSDMA and New & Renewal Energy, Z. Nyusietho Nyuthe emphasized the importance of having discussion and deliberation with their respective tribal leaders before taking it to the next level.
MLA Achumbemo Kikon said that the role of the elected members is limited as they took oath under the Constitution of India. As far as the Naga political issue is concerned, the elected members are “facilitators” rather than “negotiators”. Kikon also reiterated the importance of adhering to the hitherto resolutions adopted by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
Advisor, IPR and Soil & Water Conservation, Imkong L. Imchen highlighted the early struggles and histories of the Naga political issue starting from the Naga plebiscite. However, he regretted that the issue has been deviated from its original idea over a period of time.
This issue has been a subject of debate and discussion yet it has not yielded any productive result till today. He said the elected members of the NLA have been mandated by the people because of which they are entitled to formulate laws in the interest of the people. Imchen also stated that the Naga National Council is the only party which has been mandated by the Naga people. “If the Naga political issue is not settled in time, all the societal menaces which we are confronting now will be legalised in no time,” he warned.
MLA, Dr. Neisatuo Mero said that in his observation, years between 1946 & 1980, after 34 years, formation of NSCN has now mushroomed to 26 factions, and so by 2046 with another 22 years, we more might have up to 40-50 factions at this rate of growth into group-ism, he stated. Before anything untoward happens, we need to take remedial measures to cease from all these happenings in us, he added.
He also suggested that GoI should not sit upon or put in a cold storage the vexed Naga issue but should resume another level of talk with utmost sincerity to find out an acceptable and amicable solution with the stakeholders. We should also have serious consultative meetings with all the various Naga national organisations, CSOs and even the religious leaders and listen to their views for more effective public participation, Dr Mero added.
