Media Cell of the CM’s office, has responded to the allegations levelled against chief minister T.R. Zeliang by leaders of four Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) that appeared in the local media Saturday.
Terming them as “some serious but unwarranted allegations”, the MC said Zeliang had stated on many occasions, stated that neither he nor the state government were in possession of the ‘Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015’ and that they trust the statements of the negotiators that “the best interest of the Naga people would be ensured while evolving a negotiated settlement”.
MC said if anyone had doubts or wanted to know details of the framework agreement, they could do so with Interlocutor R.N. Ravi instead of “speculating and interpreting as per one’s own understanding.”
Taking a jab as some people who said there was nothing for the people of Nagaland within the present framework agreement, the MC said this appeared such people had sen the contents. It said there were also some people who asked how they could support the agreement without seeing the contents? MC said the chief minister was of the considered opinion that “we should not confuse our people with such ambiguous statements”.
The MC said 19 years after the cease fire was signed in 1997 between the government of India and NSCN (I-M) there were also cease fire agreement signed with NSCN groups and successive state governments had adopted a policy to facilitate the peace process and the present government was also only continuing with the declared stand.
MC said it was unfortunate that “some people are talking as if the peace talks started only during the tenure of the present chief minister” though he has completed only two years in office.
Being aware of the desire that all Nagas desire a permanent peace, MC said Zeliang maintained it can only be through “inclusive solution and not in piecemeal” and that all Nagas should be stakeholders wherever they are, for the final solution.
Reacting to charge that he acted as chief minister of neighbouring states by acting against interest of Nagaland, MC said T.R. Zeliang is chief minister of Nagaland and not other state but on the Naga issue, he was determined to speak for all Nagas till the issue is resolved and irrespective of whether he remained chief minister or not.
MC also said the chief minister had no two opinions about inclusiveness for which he time and again, urged the Interlocutor to meet all Naga political groups for dialogue to iron out differences for bringing about a lasting solution once and for all.
Further, on March 9, 2016 at Chumukedima Consultative Meeting, MC said the chief minister, with an open mind, had stated that he was ready to facilitate any meeting, if any group wanted to meet with the Interlocutor.
On the allegations that Zeliang patronised Heraka/Hindu during the recent inauguration of the veterinary college, MC clarified that it was at the ceremony at KVK Jalukie organised by the ICAR, a central government institute and not by the state government “where a ceremonial lamp was lit and a coconut broken to signify good luck and prosperity by the union minister.”
The MC said at the inauguration of the veterinary college at Jalukie was witnessed by thousands where invocation prayer was offered by state chaplain Rev. Kuzeirang Thou and foundation stone for Farmers Training School was laid by the chief minister where Mongzeu pastor of Jalukie Town Baptist Church offered invocation prayer. In the light of the above, MC said accusing the chief minister of “indulging in Hindu or Heraka rites are false and baseless.”