Speaking on the opposition/apprehension from various quarters over the formation of the Naga Common Platform (NCP), former minister and chairman of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), Dr TM Lotha has maintained that it was “just a communication gap” and that the Platform was only to unite the overground Nagas, civil societies and approach all the Naga national workers to be united as well.
Dr. Lotha, told the NEPS in Kohima on Friday, that the formation of NCP was only the follow-up action of the resolution adopted during the Naga Consultative Meet (NCM) held from March 5 to 7, 2009 at Kohima which was well attended by all tribal hohos, civil societies and some of the main national workers.
“The intention of the formation of NCP was thoroughly discussed and its aim and objective expressed and agreed upon during the Meet that it will work solely to unite overground Nagas and civil societies in order to evolve a consensus opinion of the Nagas towards the solution of Naga political issue,” Dr Lotha said.
“I believe that there is nothing wrong if Naga people come together and be united on this Naga political issue which has plagued the Naga society almost six decades,” he added.
The PAC chairman said there was an expressed opinion during the Naga Consultative Meet that the Naga people should be united on common issue like the Naga political issue so that a common approach to the solution would be finally shaped.
Asked about his reactions on the likening of the NCP with that of the then Naga People’s Convention (NPC) of the 1960s, Dr Lotha said the two (NPC and NCP) had a completely contrast approach and objective. “Here the NCP, unlike the then NPC, will not be a party to the negotiating team nor does it intend to be a signatory in the event of any agreement between the government of India and the Naga national workers is arrived at,” he asserted.
“However if the endorsement of the Naga people is sought which, I believe necessary, it will be surely discussed in the NCP which will be represented by all tribal hohos, civil societies and prominent Naga leaders and give their opinions,” the PAC Chairman expressed.
“Therefore as I said there is just a communication gap and the NCP is only to provide necessary platform to the Naga people in order to evolve a consensus opinion of all sections of Naga people before entering into any final settlement to the Naga common issue,” he reiterated.
Asked further as to how he would work on it, Dr. Lotha said the NCP had already constituted a drafting committee to workout the aims and objectives and the parameters within which the Platform would work. He revealed that the Committee was already on the job and it would be made known to all concerned in the near future.
Reacting to NPCC president, KV Pusa’s remark that formation of NCP was not appropriate at this juncture, Dr Lotha said that with the Naga political issue being long-drawn spanning over six decades and even the ongoing political negotiation between the government of India and NSCN (I-M) which had taken almost 12 years without any tangible result, a Common Platform was felt necessary at such juncture to facilitate and expedite the peace process. “I would only make my earnest appeal to all concerned to remove all unnecessary doubts and apprehensions but to be patient and extend their fullest cooperation to the NCP in order to facilitate the ongoing dialogue and its solution,” the PAC chairman added.
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