GPRN/NSCN questions Joint Legislators Forum’s ‘intent, purpose’

GPRN/NSCN has once again questioned the “intent and purpose” of the Joint Legislators Forum (JLF) and the resolution adopted by the forum on the ongoing political talks between the government of India and NSCN (I-M).

MIP kilonser Akato Chophi, in a press statement Sunday asked whether the JLF resolution adopted on July 19 appealing to the “negotiating” parties especially the government of India, to expedite the ongoing political talks so that a solution to the Naga political issue was arrived, at meant only for the Naga group in negotiation or also involved other Naga political groups.

Asking JLF as to who were the negotiating parties, Akato also asked why JLF was focused only on one group, while leaving the other Naga political groups in the dark about their “intent and purpose?”.

He also asked whether the forum was in favour of just one group or it stood for the entire Nagas. Chophi said if the JLF’s intent was for the cause of the entire Nagas, GPRN/NSCN welcomed the move but if JLF favoured just one political group,then GPRN/NSCN would not be part of the move.

He warned that such a move would rather invite “bloodbath” in the immediate future for which the JLF would be held responsible.

The statement comes in the wake of reports that members of JLF were leaving for New Delhi to meet top central leaders urging them to expedite “Indo-Naga peace talks”.

GPRN/NSCN had earlier also raised questions on a single Naga political group negotiating with government of India to bring about solution to the “Indo-Naga imbroglio”. NPN

Joint Legislators Forum to meet Central leaders on political solution

 

A 20-member delegation of Joint Legislators Forum (JLF) headed by Speaker Kiyaneilie Peseyie have left for New Delhi Sunday and slated to meet central leaders including opposition leader in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj in Delhi at the invitation of Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde.

Joint Legislator’s Forum Leaders, Pic: NPN

According to chief minister Neiphiu Rio the visit would be JLF’s “last combined effort”. The JLF delegation led by speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie included chief minister Neiphiu Rio and opposition leader Tokheho Yepthomi. JLF is to meet Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and Government of India’s Interlocutor R.S. Pandey.

Chief minister Neiphiu Rio while interacting with media at Dimapur airport lounge, said the trip could be the “last combined effort” of JLF in urging the government of India to expedite the Naga political dialogue process so that an honourable settlement was arrived at.

The chief minister admitted that it was “very difficult” for all the JLF members to “come together and meet” though individually members could continue to meet with central leaders.

Rio said JLF members would seek to know from the government of India what were under consideration for a lasting political solution apart from ascertaining the progress and status of the peace process.

He expressed the hope that the government of India would be in the position to “enlighten” and brief the visiting JLF members who would be doing the listening. He also said JLF members would share their views if central leaders wanted.

Rio said home minister Shinde had requested JLF to come in a “smaller” group to discuss the Naga political talks “in detail”. JLF may also meet the prime minister he said.

Rio also said that though Shinde could be aware of the ongoing political process, he needed more “briefings and elaborate discussions”.

He however pointed out that the Prime Minister was “very clear” about the talks as he has been dealing with the issue for a long time. Rio also said that “some paper works” were yet to be completed by ministries.

On solution
When asked about the reports of a solution by March 2013 as stated by the Union home minister in sections of the media, the chief minister declined to comment. He said JLF would comment only after discussions with Shinde.

He pointed out that if solution was arrived by March, JLF would want to know on what basis the proposed solution was to be thrashed out in view of general election scheduled during the same period.

He asserted that if the poll schedule was announced by the Election Commission of India by January, the process has to be kept rolling.

“Government of India should tell the people what they are thinking… the wish and desire of the sixty members is to find a solution before any general election” asserted Rio adding JLF was now awaiting the “wisdom of the central government”. -NPN

Breakthrough: NSCN commits to Constitution

Isak (left) and Muivah (right)

In a major breakthrough in the Naga peace process, the Centre has secured a written commitment from the separatist NSCN (IM) that it will accept the Indian Constitution. According to sources, the Naga group has also recognised the impracticality of redrawing state boundaries in the interest of peace in the Northeast.

This means that the government can now look at thrashing out a final settlement in consultation with Nagaland’s neighbouring states. Until now, the NSCN (IM) had been insistent on forming a greater Nagalim including territories in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

In lieu of the written commitments, the Centre has accepted the condition that it will ensure that Naga people enjoy certain special rights, especially in the above three states where they are in a minority. In other words, the success of the peace process will depend to a great degree on the extent to which the Centre is able to deliver in terms of a special set of rights.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde to initiate a political conversation with the chief ministers of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal to arrive at a framework settlement. It’s learnt that Shinde has already met Manipur CM Ibobi Singh in the past few days. The state governments would, as a next step, talk to their respective local Naga groups towards carving out a special status for the Nagas.

The team of interlocutors led by R S Pandey, meanwhile, will continue talks with Naga groups besides the NSCN (IM) to broadbase the understanding reached with the latter.
What is important, sources said, is that there is now a basic agreed document with the contours of a final settlement. The government hopes to finalise an agreement in the next few months as elections are due early next year in Nagaland. A settlement would make it possible for the separatist Nagas to join the mainstream by contesting the Assembly polls.

The government’s hopes are high given that all the three states with significant Naga population have Congress governments. However, as some point out, local Congress leaders could be wary of the political fallout of any major concessions given to the Nagas by the UPA government.

In the case of Nagaland itself, some 60 MLAs have already come and expressed their desire to resign if that paved the way for a settlement. While it could be seen as a political stunt given that elections are just a few months away, it did underline that the political environment was conducive for a settlement.

Back in March itself, at its Republic Day function, the NSCN (IM) had given positive signals, with leader Isak Chisi Swu acknowledging the “sincerity” in negotiations from both sides and saying that the government was determined to work out a mutually acceptable solution.

The Naga insurgency is among the oldest insurgencies in India and this is the second serious shot at a final settlement after the 1975 Shillong Accord. That agreement was not recognised by many separatists, leading to the creation of the NSCN. Source: Indian Express