Negotiations can solve Naga issue: CM

Nagaland chief minister T.R. Zeliang said Thursday that both the government of India and the Naga political groups have realised that negotiations, and not violence, could solve the protracted Naga political problem.

Interacting with the Norwegian Ambassador to India, Nils Ragmar Kamsyag, who called on him Thursday afternoon, Zeliang said all the parties concerned, except the NSCN (K), have realised the futility of taking up arms to solve political differences and have now entered into a stage where negotiations were taking place to solve once and for all the mother of all insurgencies in the country.

“We are happy that the Prime Minister is fully committed to solve the Naga problem very soon and he has already brought out a formula to solve the problem when the historic Naga Peace Accord was signed with the NSCN (IM) on August 3, 2015,” media cell, CMO quoted Zeliang as saying.

Zeliang also expressed happiness with the new political developments in Myanmar and hoped that Aung San Su Kyi, whom he described as “a very strong lady”, would settle insurgency problems in her country.

Zeliang said with a counterpart like the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India, he was confident that something concrete and long-lasting would come out in the near future. 

Stating that no Prime Minister in India has been as determined as Modi to solve the Naga problem, Zeliang said Nagas have high hopes on the present Prime Minister. Zelaing said Modi was also one of the strongest Prime Ministers India has had in recent memory and appreciated his positive attitude. 

 “The Government of India understands the unique history and position of the Nagas, and in turn, Nagas have also realised the position of the Government of India – both have realised the importance of shared sovereignty as well as the need for inter-dependence in the modern world,” said Zeliang.

The chief minister said Nagas hope that points agreeable to all concerned would be incorporated into the framework agreement that has been signed, and expected a solution that was honourable and acceptable to all sections of the society. 

Zeliang told the visiting dignitary that through the efforts of NGOs and also the government, Nagas hoped NSCN (K) would also enter into a ceasefire agreement with the Government of India since that has been the expressed wish of the Naga people and that an all-inclusive solution can be brought about very soon.