“What request…, No request”: Delhi’s Snub Laddoo
Nirendra Dev
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 14: Is the tide turning? Something is clearly changing the dynamics.
Who is on the back foot, for now?
There was a virtual snub from New Delhi. The perceived submissive mindset of a section of leaders came in for critical observation at the September 12 meeting between the Core Committee on Naga Political Issue (CCoNPI) and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Sources say during the interaction, the Centre expressed displeasure on use of the word ‘request’ vis-à-vis the CCoNPI’s future meeting with NSCN-IM to convince them to sign the final peace pact at the earliest.
One member among the 11-member panel, led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, told the Central leaders and officials on Monday, “Next time, when we go, we will request them”.
At this, reportedly came the snub ~ “What request…no request!” The message from New Delhi ~ in other words being ~ you better get the work done.
No doubt, some of these interactions and crystal clear assertion by the Centre left the Nagaland delegation dumbfounded. Sources say the deliberations and the tone of that left the Nagaland delegation surprised also.
“If it was the same old trick or strategy to hoodwink everyone that we are sincere etc., etc… it all backfired”.
For about the first two hours after the meeting, most Naga leaders became inaccessible and later on came a protocol diktat that none should talk to media people out of turn.
“The manner the meeting went on, it is absolutely clear, the Centre is very serious about an early solution. This is the case not only because it’s BJP’s election promise of 2018. It is also because the Nagas of Nagaland and the civil society messages to Prime Minister Narendra Modi have been very clear that people are frustrated with extortion and they are all crazy for solution”, the source told Nagaland Page.
After the Chief Minister tweeted stating that the State Core Committee has urged the Centre to expedite, only Rios trusted lieutenant Neiba Kronu was allowed to make a very selective disclosure to a news agency.
The vital message of the day ~ the Government of India stating ~ “We are ready to sign a peace pact even today” was concealed from the media. Only Nagaland Page could thankfully break it.
Sharing another anecdote of the meeting wherein the Central Government made it absolutely clear that the ‘delay’ in signing the peace deal was essentially due to NSCN-IM, sources claimed Amit Shah himself made reference to the word ‘Manipur’.
At one point during discussions, the Core Committee was quizzed, “You all are talking about Naga integrity ~ integration of Naga inhabited areas. But what about the Nagas of Myanmar, are you taking them on board?”
The question was pointed and obviously left the Naga delegation dumbfounded yet again.
At this one member amongst the 11-member panel meekly remarked, “Sir, that’s out of box”.
The said member is a former Minister and a well known party hopper.
Sources told this Journalist that the much expected meeting between the Core Committee members and the NSCN-IM leadership will take place after September 22 once the State Assembly session gets over.
The Union Home Minister assured, “You ask for anything else, we are there with you”.
But with regard to the Flag and a separate Naga constitution, Shah was reportedly categorical: “Woh baat nahi karna. (Please do not raise these two issues).”
One Naga leader emphasised his point of view for an early solution and remarked in Hindi “Solution dena padega”.
