|
Kohima, July 30: The Opposition Congress today supported the decision of 60 Naga lawmakers to meet central leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, on August 7 and 8 to urge them to expedite the Naga talks and pave the way for peace.
A joint meeting of the political affairs committee of the Congress and the Nagaland PCC today resolved to support the decision of the 60 MLAs to meet central leaders in an effort to give an impetus to the ongoing talks between the Centre and the NSCN (I-M).
Leader of the Opposition Tokheho Yepthomi also attended the meeting.
With the Centre and the NSCN (I-M) in hectic consultation to ink an interim agreement before arriving at a permanent solution to the 60-year-old Indo-Naga political problem, the lawmakers had decided to meet the central leaders as well as leaders of various political parties and insurgent groups of the state.
The 60-member Joint Legislators’ Forum, comprising 34 Naga Peoples’ Front legislators, 19 Congress lawmakers and seven Independents, had decided to resign en mass if a solution to the long-pending Naga political problem was not found soon.
“We have decided to support the decision of the Joint Legislators Forum to meet the central leaders, political parties and insurgent groups,” PCC president S.I. Jamir said after the meeting at Congress Bhawan.
Jamir said today’s joint meeting was to support the decision of the lawmakers.
The team would also meet NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah in New Delhi.
Apart from 60 members, the forum has an 18-member team headed by chief minister Neiphiu Rio that will meet various Naga insurgent groups and leaders of central political parties.
The other members are leader of the Opposition Tokheho Yepthomi, Speaker Kiyanielie Peseyie, home minister Imkong L. Imchen, urban development minister Shurhozelie Liezietsu, PCC president S.I. Jamir, former leader of the Opposition Chingwang Konyak, planning minister T.R. Zeliang, agriculture minister Chumben Murry, forest minister M.C. Konyak, health and family welfare minister Kuzholuzo Nienu, PWD minister G. Kaito Aye, public health engineering minister P. Longon, MLAs H. Chuba Chang, I. Imkong and Hewoto Awomi, Lok Sabha MP C.M. Chang and Rajya Sabha MP Khekiho Zhimomi.
The meeting also supported the forum in its expression of appreciation towards Naga insurgent groups for sacrificing the Naga political movement and responding to the call of the people for reconciliation by signing the Covenant of Reconciliation and the Naga Concordant.
The forum had also appreciated the efforts of the civil societies, church and NGOs for forging an understanding, paving the way for reconciliation among all sections of Naga society under the banner of Forum for Naga Reconciliation.
Today’s meeting urged Naga militant groups to adhere to the spirit of reconciliation and understanding, stand by the commitment given to the people and rise above all differences so as to make a collective effort to bring the political imbroglio to a logical conclusion.
NSCN (K), however, today said it would not accept any solution within the ambit of the Constitution of India.
S.S. Khaplang reiterated through a statement that the 1951 Naga plebiscite saw 99.9% Nagas opting for sovereignty and totally boycotting Indian elections in 1952.
He said historical facts and rights of Nagas could not be compromised at any cost.
| 
