Consultative Meeting of NLF with ex-Parliamentarians held; Speaker credited for “vital roles” for finding solution to Naga issue to civil societies, churches, mothers, GBs, students’ bodies

By: Okenjeet Sandham
Kohima, Dec 8: Speaker of Nagaland Dr. Imtiwapang Aier has acknowledged the important roles played by their Civil Societies, Churches, Mothers Associations, GB Body and Students’ Bodies towards finding a lasting and honorable solution to the longstanding Naga political issue.
In his welcome address at the Consultative Meet of Nagaland Legislators’ Forum (NLF) with Members of Parliament and Ex-Parliamentarians on Naga Political issue held at the Regional Center of Excellence in Music and Performing Arts (RCEMPA), Jotsoma, on Thursday, the Speaker who is also Convener of NLF said that the Consultative Meet was convened in view of the Naga peace process entering into a crucial phase. He, however, expressed regret for postponing the Consultative Meeting that was fixed on 4th December with the Tribal Hohos, Civil Societies and Ex-Parliamentarians indefinitely due to some “unavoidable circumstances.”
Stating that various steps had been taken to facilitate for an “acceptable solution to our political issue,” Dr. Aier informed that a series of meetings were held by the 60 elected Members of the House with different Naga Political Groups (NPGs), Civil Societies and different organizations of Naga Society to convey its voice to “all sections including Government of India and Naga National Workers.” He further credited for the “vital roles” of finding a solution to their Naga political issue to their Civil Societies, Churches, Mother Associations, GB Body and Students’ Bodies.
The Speaker recalled how their Naga Women had been tirelessly working for peace building with their famous slogan “Shed No More Blood” ever since the factional feuds broke out. “Likewise, we have seen how FNR bridged the gap among the Naga underground factions,” he said and further disclosed that their initiatives had proven a “positive development, that has paved the way for top leaders of NSCNs and NNC/FGN to come and attend the Highest Level Meeting of leaders of NPGs.” This extraordinary development had brought a “sea change” in the Naga political landscape, he added.
He also recalled how the Naga Hoho and ENPO had gone to Myanmar for meeting NSCN (K) leaders when they walked away from the ceasefire with Government of India in March 2015. NLF acknowledged and appreciated the joint efforts of Naga Hoho and ENPO for successfully meeting the “authorized Representative of the NSCN (K)” and conveying the desire of the State Government, the NLF and the Naga people for the resumption of the Ceasefire Agreement between the Government of India and NSCN (K), he added.
Dr. Aier also said from the beginning, NLF had been urging the Government of India and RN Ravi, Interlocutor to Naga Talks, to include all “stakeholders” while finding a solution to the longstanding Naga political issue. “The six NNPGs’ joining the Naga peace talks is a significant positive development as far as the settlement of the Naga political issue is concerned,” he stated.
Expressing his happiness on Indian President Ram Nath Kovind’s statement made at the Hornbill Festival inauguration that the “final agreement to Naga political issue” would come soon, the Speaker informed the meeting that the Government of India was geared up to bring a “solution to the decades-old Naga political issue. He asked all the members present to deliberate on the vexed issue with free and frank to see that the issue reached a “logical conclusion.”