Nagaland government intensifies campaign

Newmai News Network

DIMAPUR | Nov 5

The State Government of Nagaland headed by Chief Minister TR Zeliang and Neiphiu Rio has intensified its campaign on Naga political issue in New Delhi by meeting various Central leaders.  TR Zeliang and his team also met leaders of six Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) in New Delhi yesterday.

After meeting Union Home minister, Rajnath Singh few days ago, the Nagaland Government team headed by Chief Minister TR Zeliang met Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region and MoS (Prime Minister’s Office) yesterday. Bhaskar Khulbe, IAS, Secretary to Prime Minister was also present in the meeting. The Nagaland team also met Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor (NSA) with regard to the early resolution of the Naga political Issue.

According to the Chief Minister’s Office of Nagaland, TR Zeliang appreciated the leadership and vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi “for having ensured that we are very near to the final settlement of the Naga political issue”.

Further, the Chief Minister emphasized that it is essential that the process for finalizing the final solution to its logical end is expedited. The Chief Minister mentioned that it has been 20 years of negotiations and with the State scheduled to have Assembly polls early next year, it is important that settlement of  Naga political issue is done before the elections.

Lo Sabha MP from Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio also highlighted that this is the most opportune time for a final settlement with BJP Governments in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh and it will be in the interest of all if the settlement is done before Christmas. In the same time, the Nagaland Chief Minister and his colleagues also apprised Dr Jitendra Singh of their interactions with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and R N Ravi, Interlocutor for Naga peace talks. Dr Jitendra Singh appreciated the initiative of the Chief Minister Nagaland and his colleagues for highlighting the need for an early solution and hoped that settlement of Naga Political Issue will be done soon, the Nagaland Chief Minister’s Office said today.

Later in the evening, the Nagaland Chief Minister and his Cabinet along with Lok Sabha MP Neiphiu Rio had a meeting with the Working Committee (WC) for the six NNPGs who has been invited by the Government of India to be a part of the talks. The leaders of the NNPGs present in the meeting included N. Kitovi Zhimomi,  Convener of the Working  Committee (NNPGs),  and Co- Conveners  Zhopra Vero,  Hozheto Chophy,  V.  Nagi,   Kiumukam and  Wangtin Naga and  Alezo Venuh. The meeting was held at Nagaland House, 29 Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road, New Delhi.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister appreciated the initiative of involving the six NNPGs in the talks “as it is essential for an inclusive and durable solution to the long standing Naga political issue that all groups and sections of society are involved and taken on board”, according to the Chief Minister’s Office TR Zeliang complimented the leaders of the NNPGs for their vision and maturity in joining the talks and hoped that with the sincerity being shown by the Government of India, “the final settlement seems to be very near”. The Chief Minister mentioned that it has been 20 years of negotiations and with the State scheduled to have Assembly polls early next year, it is important that settlement of  Naga political issue is done before the elections.

Neiphiu Rio also highlighted that this is the most opportune time for a final settlement with BJP Governments in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh and it will be in the interest of all if the settlement is done before Christmas. The Chief Minister and his colleagues also told the leaders of NNPGs of their interactions with Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, R N Ravi, Interlocutor for Naga peace talks and Dr Jitendra Singh , MoS, PMO earlier.

N Kitovi, Convenor of the Working Committee of the six NNPGs appreciated the efforts made by the Chief Minister of Nagaland and his colleagues in ensuring that the Government of India involves the six NNPGs in the talks. He further highlighted the need for an early solution and hoped that settlement of Naga political Issue will be done before elections.

Wangtin and other leaders also impressed upon the Chief Minister and all leaders to continue working towards ensuring a final settlement of Naga political Issue that is inclusive, honourable and acceptable to all for long standing peace in the State.

During the meeting with Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor (NSA), the Chief Minister, TR Zeliang along with his Cabinet ministers mentioned that it has been 20 years of negotiations on the 70 year old Naga political issue. “This has been the mother of all unresolved challenges in the North East and it is imperative that the same is settled for long standing peace in the region”, the Nagaland team told Ajit Doval. Given the progress made and especially with the involvement of the six NNPGs along with NSCN IM in the talks, this is the most opportune time for a solution, they mentioned. Further, given that the State is scheduled to have Assembly polls early next year, it is important that settlement of  Naga political issue is done before the elections. It was also highlighted that this is the most opportune time for a final settlement with BJP Governments in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh and it will be in the interest of all if the settlement is done before Christmas.  Imkong Imchen, one of the Nagaland Ministers in the team mentioned that in the interest of a solution, State elections can be deferred also.

Ajit Doval appreciated the initiative of the Chief Minister Nagaland and his colleagues for highlighting the need for an early solution and hoped that settlement of Naga political issue will be done soon. He mentioned that everyone wishes for an early solution and it is important to look at what one can do towards achieving that objective. Ajit Doval also asked the State Ministers to suggest what the Government of India can do for a solution before Christmas. He emphasized that once the agreement is reached it will be essential for all concerned to build the right socio political environment to make all stakeholders join hand for successful implementation of the agreement. Ajit Doval mentioned that the advice of the State Government will be fully considered by the Government of India. It has to be a win-win situation for all.

Finally, the Nagaland Chief Minister assured that State Government of Nagaland will do everything possible for facilitating the solution.