Amidst demand for \u201cSolution not Election\u201d before the ensuing general Assembly Elections scheduled on February 27, Government of India\u2019s representative and Interlocutor to Naga Peace Talks, R.N. Ravi, has categorically stated that election and solution are not interrelated.\nTalking to Nagaland Post, Ravi said \u201cI can understand the frustration of the Naga people over the protracted negotiation for the last 20 years during which several elections have been held and governments have come and gone while people have been awaiting political solution to the Naga issue.\u201d
\nHowever, Ravi added that people should \u201cacknowledge the qualitative and quantum progress made in the last three years.\u201d
\nWhen asked why the election had been declared when civil society organisations, political parties and Naga political groups had been demanding for \u201csolution not election\u201d, Ravi clarified that \u201celection and solution are not interrelated\u201d and added that once the negotiation successfully concludes the \u201cagreement will be duly incorporated into the Constitution of India to ensure its permanency and immediate implementation.\u201d
\nHe then said \u201cthe future dispensation in Nagaland will be according to the agreement and nothing can stand in the way of its implementation.\u201d
\nAsked about the status of the ongoing talks, Ravi said the endeavour of the negotiating parties has been to successfully conclude the negotiation at the earliest.
\n\u201cWe already have covered most of the ground and I am hopeful that the remaining few issues can be sorted out soon. Both sides have adequate understanding of each other\u2019s positions and difficulties and are sufficiently mature to bridge the remaining gaps.\u201d
\nWhen asked how soon Nagas can expect a solution, Ravi said \u201cI am sufficiently sensitive and respectful to Nagas\u2019 popular sentiment for an early solution. I can assure the Naga people that I am doing my best in this regard.\u201d
\nIn a recent interview to Nagaland Post, Ravi said though an early solution was desired, it was not time specific. However, he said elections were time specific and also a constitutional obligation that had to be fulfilled.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"