The Weekend Leader - Naga leaders appeal for cooperation to resolve insurgency

Naga leaders appeal for cooperation to resolve insurgency

Kohima

14-November-2019

The Joint Legislators' Forum (JLF) comprising members of the Nagaland Assembly, and two from the Parliament representing the state, has appealed to the people of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur to extend all possible cooperation in resolving the vexed Naga insurgency issue to enable peace and stability in the region.

The appeal is significant coming after Manipur witnessed mass protests provoked by fears that a deal with Naga insurgent groups could affect the territorial integrity of Manipur.

"We appeal to our neighbouring states to build trust and confidence within us so that we can live peacefully under an environment of mutual co-existence and cooperation," the JLF resolved at a consultative meeting held here on Wednesday.

It also appealed to the seven Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim-Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) to sit across the negotiating table and bury all differences for the greater good of the Naga people.

The consultative meeting, which was attended by the Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Opposition leader T.R. Zeliang, Lok Sabha MP Tokheho Yepthomi, Rajya Sabha MP K.G. Kenye, Speaker in-charge Sharingain Longkumer and other legislators, also appealed to all other groups who are not on board to join the peace process.

Welcoming the successful conclusion of negotiations between the Centre and the Naga insurgent political groups, the forum extended its "sincere appreciation to the negotiating parties for making sacrifices and understanding the realities of the given situation."

Appreciating Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, the Nagaland Governor and Central interlocutor R.N. Ravi for the progress of the talks so far, the members welcomed the proactive role played by the mass-based organisations for creating a congenial atmosphere to ensure that the negotiations head in a positive direction.

Reiterating the August 7 JLF resolution, the forum further appealed to all the stakeholders - the negotiating parties of NNPGs and the NSCN-IM, Hohos, civil society groups, churches and the people - to foster a spirit of unity and oneness among each other to facilitate the eventual solution to the protracted Naga political issue, which is honourable, acceptable and which recognises the uniqueness of the history of the Naga people.

The forum also assured that it will continue to play the role of active facilitators and extend all possible cooperation to ensure that the peace process is successfully concluded with the realisation of a political solution that is honourable and acceptable to the people.IANS 



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