Since the Issue of sovereignty and integration are no more, strengthening and improving Statehood with infrastructure to facilitate the growth of economy and employment is the way to go forward.
The Global Naga Forum’s rejoinder to Dr. S. C. Jamir is indecent. Global Naga Forum is a big name and the name indicates it is an association of the intelligentsia. No one is stopping anyone else from achieving greater political spectrum than that of the 16 Point Agreement but without doing so, rebuking the 16 Point Agreement without achieving any improvement is unacceptable. We expect the intelligentsia to understand. Everyone is enjoying the benefits out of it. Making such pre-meditated statement against an individual and against Statehood exhibits a mindset of hatred. Dr. S. C. Jamir may not be Ezekiel but Global Naga Forum’s rejoinder is hateful.
It is common knowledge that in the process of negotiation, both parties have made clear that the issue of Sovereignty and Integration are not negotiable. Further, the Framework Agreement according to the 213th Report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs (30 Members of Parliament, represented by all parties) is interpreted as follows, that:
- Settlement will be within the Union of India
- Interstate boundaries shall not be changed
- Generous economic package was recommended.
The interpretation of Parliament cannot be wrong. The Framework Agreement was signed between the Interlocutor representing India and by General Secretary of the NSCN(IM) in the presence of Hon’ble Prime Minister and many more dignitaries from both sides.
We have wasted one generation in negotiation. For GOI, they can wait for 100 years and they have nothing to lose. But for stakeholders, we want peace and better avenues for our children. We understand the ‘peoples government’ does not want solution. Even after talks have concluded, they want negotiations to resume. When GOI is pressed for implementation of Agreed Position, GOI says we also have to honour the “Peoples government”.
Given opportunity, Congress will implement the Agreed Position. We will strengthen the State and provide modern opportunities to our children. We will facilitate and ensure smooth conduct of interstate economy.
Nagaland Statehood is the result of collective wisdom. Dr. S. C. Jamir is the only living witness with us today. We are fortunate to have him as a witness to historical events. It is God’s providence. The 16 Point Agreement and Statehood are the treasures of the people of Nagaland. Statehood was born out of the noble political movement that began with the Naga Club. Between 1918 to 1959 the four decades of strife and struggle, no tangible solution was found. It was the agility of NPC that envisioned the 16 Points for our today. It is in the line of Naga Hills Memorandum. 16 Point Agreement was one of the greatest outcomes. We owe all to the founding fathers for the noble political movement. We also owe our today to Dr. Imkongliba Ao, Vizol Angami, J. B. Jasokie, R. C. Chiten Jamir and Dr. S. C. Jamir for their courage and vision. Had we remained under Assam state as a District, our identity may have been submerged by now.
The issue of integration was dear in their mind. The founding fathers have made enough efforts. Under the 16 Point Agreement a provision was made that contiguous Naga inhabitants may integrate with the new State “if they so desire”. Soon after the agreement, Dr. Imgkongliba was assassinated. Shri P. Shilu Ao was sworn in as the Chief Minister of the Interim Body. He deputed a team representing the Interim Body of Nagaland State under the leadership of R. C. Chiten Jamir who was then Minister of Education, to the public meeting held at Ukrul. The meeting decided to stay with Manipur Union Territory. Even when Manipur was given Statehood in 1972, Nagas in Manipur joined the state without resistance.
The Interim Body of Nagaland State again constituted Integration Committee under the Chairman of Rev. Savino wherein Rishang Keishing, Solomon N. Theyo, Dr. S. C. Jamir, to name a few, were Members. Integration committee is said to have set up its candidate to contest in the Manipur Election but were all defeated.
The Integration committee is said to have submitted a representation to GOI conveying the desire to integrate Naga contiguous inhabited areas. However GOI replied it can only happen when all states agree. Neighbouring States could not agree. Further, Manipur Chief Ministers have repeatedly declared that not an inch of land will be parted.
The matter did not lose hope with peace and negotiations which started in 1996. However, the Framework Agreement sealed the fate of Integration once again. The signatories are responsible for good or bad. When some quarters make wrong allegations against Nagaland leaders over the integration issue, we remember the failures of Nagas outside Nagaland too. The matter has gone beyond our reach. I think it is best to let the matter rest for now.
Issues are crystal clear now. We cannot continue to live under negotiation indefinitely. It has to end one day. Ceasefire with the Indian forces turned to a nightmare for Nagaland People.
In the matter of AFSPA, there is no evidence that any Naga leaders are responsible in making AFSPA neither have any advised GOI to empower and impose. After the chilling Oting massacre, the Hon’ble Chief Minister is taking shelter under AFSPA. The Para-Military Forces stationed in another state do not have the authority to act in the jurisdiction of Nagaland State without the knowledge of Hon’ble Chief Minister and Hon’ble Home Minister. Law and order is State subject. It is not the subject of the Army. Govt of the day had targeted NSCN(K) to derail the ceasefire. Unfortunately in the mistaken identity, Oting citizens bore the brunt of the chilling massacre while to deliver justice, the State Govt’s demand to remove AFSPA, is nothing but a lame excuse. AFSPA is not the criminal here. The criminal is the one who has used the armed forces upon unarmed, innocent and defenceless civilians. We have conveyed our view that AFSPA is no more required as all factions are under Ceasefire. If there is any problem, it is law and order and the state police should be assigned to handle the situation.
Sd/-
(K. THERIE)