• Nagaland lawmakers are urged by the centre to address major problems impeding the peace process.

    Regional
    Nagaland lawmakers are urged by the centre to address major problems impeding the peace process.




    Digital
    Desk: According to those with knowledge of the situation, the Centre on Monday
    requested that the Nagaland legislative panel headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu
    Rio "persuade" the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist
    Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) to resolve the last major issues impeding the Naga
    peace process.



    "Times New Roman""> 



    "Times New Roman"">Rio was one of a group of 11 panel members who met with
    Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday to seek for a resolution to the
    long-standing problem. They emphasised the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP)
    "Election for Solution" theme during the previous election in 2018 by
    seeking a definitive resolution before the state assembly elections scheduled
    for early next year.



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    "Times New Roman"">"I had a meeting with the Parliamentary Core Committee
    to discuss the Naga Political Issue with the Hon'ble @HMOIndia Shri @AmitShah.
    We once more asked the GoI to speed up the drawn-out negotiations on the matter
    and find a swift and honourable resolution," Rio tweeted following the
    meeting.



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    "Times New Roman"">"Before the elections, we need a solution. According to
    Neiba Kronu, member secretary of the state's legislators' panel and minister
    for legislative affairs, "Our demand was conveyed to the government of
    India, and we are grateful to our Union home minister for providing us time to
    voice our thoughts.



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    "Times New Roman"">When questioned about the outright denial by the NSCN (IM)
    of the government's assertion that the negotiations came to an end on October
    31, 2019, Kronu informed HT that there was a "communication vacuum"
    following the departure of the previous interlocutor RN Ravi.



    "Times New Roman""> 



    "Times New Roman"">Kronu claimed that all major issues had been resolved with
    the exception of the constitution and the use of a separate Naga flag
    (Yehzabo). "For this reason, we are urging the negotiation parties to meet
    and settle those fundamental problems," he continued.



    "Times New Roman"">In the state assembly in February 2021, Ravi, the Centre's
    then-interlocutor for Naga political talks, stated that official negotiations
    had ended on October 31, 2019. The NSCN (IM) refuted it, sticking to its stance
    that Yehzabo and the Naga flag are inseparable from the "unique Naga
    history."



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    "Times New Roman"">According to recent reports in a portion of the local media,
    the Centre may permit the use of the Naga flag for cultural events and refer to
    the final accord as the Yehzabo.



    "Times New Roman"">The Yehzabo might be included as a distinct chapter to the
    Constitution, Kronu said, but the participants to the negotiations can always
    review the issue and decide what is best for the people.



    When questioned about whether the core committee will meet
    with the NSCN (IM) leadership to communicate what the Center has shared, Kronu
    responded that the committee would unquestionably do so. "Everyone is
    upbeat, and we all want a quick fix. Delaying the procedure is not really
    necessary, he said.