URGES THE OPPOSITION LEADER TO PRESS FOR AN EARLY SETTLEMENT
A 20-member Joint Legislature Forum (JLF) of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly today met Opposition leader of the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj of the BJP to impress upon her for an early settlement for the ongoing negotiations between the government of India with the NSCN (I-M).
According to JLF sources, the BJP leader was positive about solution and also forthcoming with her views wherein she said the ruling UPA coalition government need to also take the opposition into confidence on the issue.
Ms.Sushma Swaraj, wife of former Governor of Mizoram and the first Interlocutor, Swaraj Kaushal, gave the impression that she was quite conversant with the Naga issue,source said.
The BJP leader also suggested that the JLF also keep in touch with the Nagaland BJP unit by keeping the latter informed of the developments.
A JLF delegation comprising of chief minister Neiphiu Rio, home minister Imkong L.Imchen and NPCC president S.I.Jamir MLA along with some members are scheduled to meet L.K.Advani on Wednesday to seek support for an early solution.
The JLF sources also told Nagaland Post that the response of the government of Manipur headed by Congress chief minister Ibobi Singh, would be crucial before the Centre inks any agreement in view of the fact that it involved the Naga inhabited districts of Senapati, Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Chandel.
It may also be recalled that the Nagas in Manipur have been demanding ‘an Alternative Arrangement’ outside Manipur’s constitutional authority.
Even before the Ibobi government initiated any effort towards a consultation process, various valley-based organizations have raised heckles against territorial division of the state.
Meanwhile,Government of India’s Interlocutor for Naga peace talks, R.S. Pandey Tuesday said the peace process with NSCN (I-M) was in the right direction.
“The peace process is on the right direction and I have held several meetings with them, but at the moment things are yet to concretize,” Pandey said over a phone after a meeting with the Joint Legislators Forum (JLF) led by Nagaland Assembly Speaker Kiyanielie Peseyie.
“They (JLF) have also come and met this morning to assess progress of peace talks and we have shared our ideas during our discussions,” Pandey informed.
Asked whether the peace talks have reached a final phase of deliberations with Nagaland getting a separate flags on the lines of the red flag of Jammu and Kashmir and the Naga Assembly would be renamed as Tatar Hoho (Parliament), Pandey said, “It is not good to talk anything on it now. Anyone can speculate, but I am telling you things are yet to concretize.”
Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio, Home Minister Imkong Imchen, leader of opposition Congress Legislature Party leader Tokheho Yepthomi and members of Parliament Khekiho Zhimomi and CM Chang were among the 20 JLF members who also met NSCN (I-M) leaders Isak Chisi Swu and Thuingaleng Muivah. NPN