ACAUT to go ahead with common platform

Addressing media persons, former bureaucrat Khekiye K. Sema, IAS (retd) and member, consultative body ACAUT Nagaland maintained that the Common Platform was for “pure intellectual exchange of ideas” so that people could have serious interactive session with the panellists comprising of intellectuals from various fields.

Khekiye said ACAUT’s initiative was being misunderstood and openly rejected by some sections and that its members were even threatened by an NPG to call off the common platform.

 He however said the programme would go ahead so that public could use the platform to express their views with the panel of intellectuals.

“We don’t intend to raise our hand nor are we going for vote endorsement during the common platform”, Khekiye said.

He also expressed surprise as to why Naga Hoho and Naga Council Dimapur opposed the common platform, when the objective was to provide platform to the people on the fate of Nagas. Further, Khekiye pointed out that the Hohos, NGOs and leaders of various political parties and organizations have endorsed the August 3 Accord without even knowing its contents.

“Therefore, the question of ACAUT trying to work beyond our capacity is not a valid argument”, he said. 

On speculations over the probable contents in the Accord, Khekiye said ACAUT felt that people needed to know what the contents of the framework were. He said it was a very serious matter which if not taken up now, would have an adverse impact on the future generation. 

“Such a serious issue was put before the people and that too without any clarity, where nobody knows the exact details of the agreement, except NSCN (I-M) and Government of India and beyond these two entities nobody knows the exact contents,” he said. 

Khekiye reiterated, that ACAUT was not against NSCN (I-M) for having signed the framework agreement with the Government of India. In fact, he said, it was a “wonderful news” that needed to be applauded. However, he said the NSCN (I-M) should have at least made known the contents to the hohos so as to solicit debate in order to arrive at a conclusion. 

Khekiye said that instead, the NSCN (I-M) held consultative meetings with NGOs and Hohos, who had no idea of the contents of the framework agreement. They simply endorsed the Accord and which the NSCN (I-M) took it as public endorsement, he said. He further asked the NSCN (I-M) whether it was a “legitimate endorsement”.

The organizations knew nothing about the contents but had only attended the meetings because they were invited. He also made it clear that ACAUT did not have any ego battle with apex bodies or NGOs but only wanted the people to have an interactive session.

On the non-invitation of NPGs to the common platform, Joel Nillo Naga said ACAUT had planned to invite all NPGs. Initially, an invitation was sent NSCN (I-M) however since there was no positive response ACAUT dropped the idea of inviting the NPGS.

Panellists for common platform: Peace activist, Niketu Iralu; Patkai Christian College, emeritus principal, Rev. Dr. Tuisem Shishak; Fellowship of Naga Baptist Associations general secretary, Rev. Dr. VK Nuh; Overseas Nagas’ Association president, Dr. Visier Sanyü Meyasetsu; NBCC; Mission facilitator USA, director, Rev. Dr. Mazie Nakhro and Khekiye K Sema IAS (retd).