Save The Peace : Conference on Indo-Naga peace process at Delhi

Imphal, September 4, 2021

Save The Peace : Conference on Indo-Naga peace process at The Dwaar Center, Delhi on 04 Sep 2021

The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights organised a daylong conference "SAVE THE PEACE" on 04.09.2021 in Delhi to deliberate on the Indo - Naga peace process from its current impasse.

The meeting was attended by delegates from various parts of the country including Nagas from all Naga Inhabited areas, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh. Fraternal messages in support of the peace process were delivered by parliamentarians', social activists intellectuals and concerned individuals.

1. Mr. Vaiko, M.P.(RS), MDMK, TN, in his solidarity message stated as follows:
"This is an earnest appeal for reviving the peace process between the Government of India and the representatives of the people of Nagaland. Modiji, deserve all credit for the signing of this historic Framework Agreement on the 3rd of August, 2015. Now it is five (5) years since then, yet the highly acclaimed Framework Agreement has been put in cold storage.

I would like to bring to your notice the complaint of those who matter in Nagaland that the Interlocutor Ravi is crossing his limits in playing the divisive game among the Naga political groups shaking the very foundation of the Framework Agreement. All this is causing a huge trust deficit on the Government of India, which, I am constrained to add, is not good for the Nation at large."

2. Dhuruvan Selvamani, Youth Wing Sect. of NTK, TN, expressed his concern on his speech and read the solidarity statement of Mr. Seeman, Chief Coordinator, NTK, TN, as below:
"I strongly believe that only by engaging in frequent, result-oriented dialogues we will get our rights and sovereignty. Also it is our duty and responsibility to propagate the present status of Indo – Naga peace process and provide an amicable solution to avoid the human rights crisis similarly placed in Sri Lanka against Eezham Tamils. Hence, I insist the Hon'ble Prime Minister of the Indian Union to come forward to follow the clauses and conditions as per the framework agreement between the entities."

3. Mr. Thiyagu, Gen. Sect., Tamil National Liberation Organization, TN, in his speech through ZOOM from TN, expressed support for both points of the resolution of the meeting being held in Delhi. The Framework Agreement that was supported by successive Prime Ministers of India hailing from different political parties is based on the principle of shared sovereignty. It is also based on the manifest and unique identity of the Nagas which was even recognized by the British Colonialists. Mr. R. N. Ravi as Governor and Interlocutor is playing the politics of Divide and Rule. Naga People should not be treated as gullible as this would not be in interest of either the Nagas or for the rest of India. If the peace process fails, the onus rests with the Government of India.

4. Mr. K.Venkatraman, Gen. Sect., Tamil National Movement, TN, in his speech through ZOOM from TN, stated as follows:
"We are meeting at the time when Indo Naga Peace Process is at the cross roads. Whether or not the peace process is successful depends entirely on the actions of the Government of india. Even though there are some ambiguous words in the Framework it is clear that Mr. R. N. Ravi is guilty of misinterpreting its provisions. The Demand to Remove Mr. R. N. Ravi and appointment of a new interlocutor is genuine."

5. Mr. Sandeep Pandey, Social Activist & V.P., Socialist Party, UP, in his speech expressed solidarity with the Naga People. He reminded that the founding members of the Socialist Party such as Lohia and JP had a history of intimate relation with the Naga Movement. He pointed out that the framework agreement based on the principle of Shared Sovereignty is an expression of the right to self- determination. Mr. Sandeep Pandey regretted that the Government is going back on its commitment expressed in the framework Agreement, however, this was only expected with a Government that is known for taking unilateral decisions such as CAA and the controversial Farm Laws.

6. Mr. Jagmohan Singh, Editor, World Sikh News, in his speech through ZOOM stated that the Nagas have repeatedly engaged the Government of India in negotiation to resolve their Political Demands. That the Nagas have not diluted their core demands speaks volumes of not only the wisdom of the collective leadership of NSCN (IM) but also demonstrates the abiding commitment of the Naga People for the collective leadership of NSCN (IM).

He further said that he wholeheartedly endorses the desire of the Nagas for honourable peace. Indo-Naga Peace Process is at cross-roads because the representatives of the Government of India are trying to go back on their commitment. Actions of the Governor and the Interlocutor, Mr.R.N.Ravi, are a cause of serious concern. He appealed to all Naga Political Organizations to sink their differences and support the NSCN (IM) to achieve durable and honourable peace.

7. Mr. Paramjeet Singh the editor of Sikh Siyasat expressed his support for the desire of the Naga People for honourable peace. He stated that Sikhs are bounden by the teachings of the Gurus to support any oppressed people and therefore they extend their support to the Naga People. He pointed out that all oppressed communities and ethnicities are similarly brutalized by the oppressive machinery of the centralized state which excels in its policy of Divide and Rule.

8. Mr. Nilesh Ukey, Lawyer from Mumbai, MH, stressed that there is an urgent need to create widespread awareness about the peace process and that all Members of Legislative Assembly of Nagaland must write to the Hon'ble President of India every month and request for the resumption of the Peace Talks.

9. Mr. Tapan Bose, Writer and founding member of SAFHR, in his concluding remarks stated that the levels of State brutality against the Naga People is a cause of great concern. The Indian state always attempts to destroy peace process. Indo- Naga Peace process is an expression of the will of the Naga People since the NSCN (IM) at the very early stages of the peace process involved the concerns of the Naga People in the peace process through the strategy of detailed public discussions. It is regrettable that more than two and a half decades long peace process has reached a dead end. This impasse of the peace process is solely the responsibility of the Government of India, which through Mr. R.N.Ravi, a retired Intelligence Officer, is repeatedly trying to undermine the provisions and the spirit of the framework Agreement.

A two-point resolution proposed by Sandeep Pandey and second by Advocate Nilesh Ukey, which was unanimously adopted:

1. This house unanimously believes that establishing Hon'ble peace will be the strongest foundation to secure basic human rights and civil liberties of the NAGA People.

2. This house is dismayed at the sudden derailment of the peace process, due to the wide trust deficit between the interlocutor Mr.R.N.Ravi and the representatives of the NSCN (IM). The interlocutor is a mandatory link between the Government of India and NSCN (IM). We resolve that in the interest of peace, it is necessary to appoint an interlocutor who will re-establish the trust of the negotiating parties.

Meeting was concluded with the vote of thanks by Dr.N.Venuh, the Executive member, NPMHR.

Meeting held at: The Dwaar Center, A 2, 5, Africa Avenue, Opposite Bhikaji Cama Place, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi – 110 029.