Dimapur, March 17: The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has again demanded implementation of Indo-Naga political solution if peace talks are over.
“Hon’ble Governor has declared “talks are over for Nagaland”. Therefore as a stakeholder, we demand that solution in the pipeline for Nagaland be implemented,” said NPCC president K Therie in a press release in reaction to a NSCN (IM) statement questioning the State Congress party’s stand on solution.
Stating that the question of “piece meal solution” does not arise as one solution cannot be applied to other states, the NPCC claimed that as per the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position, solution for Nagas of Nagaland is in the pipeline.
“NPCC is not the one negotiating with GOI therefore the negotiation teams know better. NSCN (IM) has been assuring early solution for 24 years. Early is not indefinite tense. There is time for everything. No solution is the power that evades One Govt One Tax. We have had enough. Our patience of 24 years cannot be questioned. It is time we have solution. As the state Government continues to demand for delay in solution, I have doubt the BJP Govt will implement the solution without its endorsement,” alleged Therie.
Alleging that the Framework Agreement was “hidden for years”, which Naga people had tolerated, the NPCC said, “We came to learn its interpretation from the 213th Report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Union Home Affairs which was tabled in Parliament on 19th August 2019. It says settlement will be within the Union of India and that boundaries shall not be changed. It has also recommended generous economic package. Therefore, in the view of Parliament, the question of sovereignty and integration were ruled out. If this is not the correct interpretation, it is for NSCN (IM) to raise. NSCN (IM) continues to defend the Framework Agreement for fear of GOI but do it dare question the interpretation of the said Standing Committee of Parliament.”
“When the issue of sovereignty and integration are ruled out of negotiations, there is no reason why Nagaland people should continue to suffer. People are demanding One Govt One Tax since long,” said the release.
“Please do not mislead the people anymore with Framework Agreement’s interpretation. What we could understand is the Framework Agreement appreciated the intricacies of the Indian system and with such an understanding and with due appreciation of the imperatives of the contemporary realities and regard for future vision, it was signed with great satisfaction. Further it went on to say, both sides understood each other’s respective positions and are cognisant of the universal principles of democracy. After great satisfaction there should be no complaint. Nagas are known for honesty,” it said.
“Remaining issues are resettlement schemes and economic package. The Stakeholders of Nagaland have made our position clear to the interlocutor on what is acceptable.”
Expressing gratitude to Nehru for agreeing to the 16 Point Agreement and for providing Art.371(A), which gave birth to statehood, the NPCC said, “Beneficiaries should think deeper before condemning.”
It added, “Those who have participated in the Plebiscite have the right to talk about history, the rest that have joined after 1964 peace talks and many after 1977 ceasefire agreement, for them it is too late to reverse time. Those who have rejected should not condemn.”
Also setting the record straight, the NPCC said the 9 Point Agreement, 16 Point Agreement and Shillong Accord have political and economic commitment. “The Framework Agreement has given recognition to the 16 PA position and existing contemporary realities in regard of future vision/solution. It has no political or economic commitment. If there is any specific political or economic commitment in the Framework Agreement, we as stakeholders are prepared to discuss the impact for an honourable solution,” it said. (Page News Service)
