GPRN/NSCN sets apart ‘Indo-Naga’ issue, alternative arrangement

Reacting to the resolution of the Joint Legislators Forum (JLF) and Nagaland home minster’s comment, GPRN/NSCN Monday reiterated that there was a distinction between “Indo-Naga” political issue and the demand for an alternative arrangement.

GPRN/NSCN MIP in a statement, pointed out that despite the desire of Nagas to survive and progress as a “free independent nation”, the geo-political situation of the day demanded that Nagas be practical and seek the best political solution for the people.

Stating that GPRN/NSCN understood the social and economic discrimination of Nagas living in Manipur and the southern Nagas’ demand for alternative political arrangement, MIP said the fulfillment of the demand would be Naga people’s aspiration in Manipur.

On JLF’s resolution to step aside if an alternative arrangement was arrived at on the Naga issue, GPRN/NSCN asked if “alternative arrangement” was an erroneous choice of words or a deliberate attempt to demean the “Indo-Naga political struggle”.

MIP said that JLF owed an explanation to the people of Nagaland because there has never been a question of “alternative arrangement” at any point of time. GPRN/NSCN has asserted that Naga tribes inhabiting Nagaland did not subscribe to such alternative political arrangement.

Reacting to home minister Imkong Imchen’s comment on August 2 at Mangmetong, GPRN/NSCN said that unless a person had a clear political thought and vision for Nagas in the present context, one should refrain from making political comment on behalf of the Nagas.

MIP added that it was not about who comes to power in the next assembly elections but how prepared Nagas were to initiate the final political settlement with Government of India.

Stating that the 60 members knew that the alternative arrangement had nothing to do with the people who elected them, GPRN/NSCN asserted that to reduce present Nagaland into alternative arrangement status was something Nagas would vehemently oppose.

GPRN/NSCN said that it would have been most appropriate if JLF exhibited maturity by declaring that they would forfeit the coming general assembly elections so that all Indian political parties in Nagaland can contribute meaningfully along with Naga political groups under the aegis of FNR.

MIP said that this would also mean that the parties and candidates of various political parties would not indulge in vote bank politics and waste millions of rupees during electioneering. If such was the condition, GPRN/NSCN said that rational mind and not electoral mind would also be at work in making correct decision.