Our Spl Correspondent
NEW DELHI, JUNE 6: Have all attempts to delay the entire peace process finally failed?
Impressed by a minor coup staged by N Kitovi Zhimomi-led NNPG in enlisting the backing of Nagas of Arunachal Pradesh, sources say all eyes are now on the umbrella group’s meeting with Nagas of Manipur.
The meeting is likely in a day or two, a source said maintaining “certain things are always tough before they are tried, but sincere attempts have to be made”.
There will be certain vexing issues between two sides, it is being presumed.
The United Naga Council recently said: “What is the hurry now when we have already taken so many years? Can the Nagas accept it if the Government of India gives anything?”
Some words and phrases ‘what is the hurry’ and ‘….gives anything’ are essentially not in tune with what the NNPG is pursuing the entire process.
Kitovi himself has said recently: “Our Status paper is clear…Our stand and deal with the Government of India is very open and transparent”.
The deal and pact will be a win-win situation for all, he had said.
In what is seen as a setback to the National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) at this critical juncture of Naga peace talks, Nagas of Arunachal Pradesh including women have decided to back the umbrella organisation led by Kitovi Zhimomi.
“The stake of NSCN-IM on their supposed supremacy over the Naga Political solution received a big jolt”, says one source.
Sources indicate the decision of influential Naga organisations to back NNPG was a positive development and it will give a faster momentum to the ongoing efforts to ink a pact for the Solution.
“All efforts of the ruling coalition (UDA) to prolong the Agreement to get over with elections have now turned futile”, another source remarked.
The Centre also got an “encouragement” not to delay the signing of the final Peace pact.
The NNPG insiders say earlier within Nagaland, the Nagaland Gaon Burrah Federation, 14 Tribal Bodies, Central Nagaland Tribal Council (of Aos, Semas and Lothas) and Nagaland Tribal Council had also urged the Centre to sign the agreement on “whatsoever concluded as on October 31, 2019”.
The Zeliangrong Baudi of Assam, Manipur and Nagaland had endorsed the Settled (Agreed) Position between the Centre and the Working Committee, NNPG.
Sources maintained that shortly after news spread about Arunachal Pradesh-based organisations deciding to back NNPG, former CM and UDA Chairman TR Zeliang issued a statement saying: “the Indo-Naga Peace talks are at the threshold of a final breakthrough”.
