Who is running Nagaland Govt of BJP-NDPP?, pro-solution NNPG puts tough questions

Nirendra Dev *

In yet another signal that patience has come under test in certain influential corners vis-a-vis long pending Naga peace talks, the umbrella body of seven Naga militant bodies, NNPG, on Monday (28th Aug 2023) threw up a few embarrassing questions for the NDPP-BJP ruling alliance in Nagaland.

"Are the Naga people, particularly in Nagaland, allowing themselves to be fooled for too long?" said the NNPG working committee in their statement castigating Nagaland state Govt led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.

It also asked, "Who is running the Nagaland state government?" The saffron party is in alliance with regional outfit NDPP and the state Home Minister and Deputy Chief Minister is Y Patton of the BJP.

In reference to 'Nagas of Manipur', the statement alleged that, "Manipur Nagas are not letting the Nagaland state government count the number of babies born since Nagaland attained statehood.

In a simplest way this is how opposition to Registration of Indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) can be described. An insult to the people of Nagaland really. It is as though they co-own the CM chair and most of Cabinet chairs."

The NNPG claimed that the Nagas of Manipur opposing the RIIN is actually going "against the social political interest of Nagas".

"Such intrusive statements destroy people to people bonding. The audacity of non-indigenous Nagas sheltering in Nagaland for a few decades, uttering a word against RIIN implementation is not their business. It is against Naga tradition to comment on another family or clan's decision on land and membership," said the NNPG.

Led by flamboyant N Kotovi Zhimomi, the NNPG had entered into the peace talks process with the government of India in 2017 and on Nov 17 (2017), it had inked Agreed Position, a preliminary pact, to work on final peace pact. Since 2019, the NNPG is awaiting a final peace pact with the centre but it has not materialised yet due to multiple reasons.

One primary reason presumably is the alleged reluctance of NSCN-IM to sign any such final agreement. The NSCN-IM led by Thuingaleng Muivah also has inked the Framework Agreement on Aug 3, 2015; but the issues of Flag and a separate Naga constitution raised by NSCN-IM has delayed the entire process.

The NNPG now in their statement pointed out that the 8 Manipur Naga MLAs along with Meitei legislators have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi "demanding NRC".

"This letter to the Indian Prime Minister has buried Naga integration, along with it a host of other superficial demands," the NNPG said. It also maintained, "Anything good for Nagas in Manipur or anywhere, the NNPGs will extend all support ....The same courtesy is expected (in return)".

Making a reference to the alleged silence of incumbent Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on recent issues in the region, the NNPG said, "All north eastern Chief Ministers have made their stand very clear on critical issues.

The leaders have stood solidly behind their people. Manipur CM Biren Singh is very clear that the state boundary will remain unchanged. No separate administration for any community.

Mizoram CM,Zoramthanga stands tall and protects the state of Mizoram. Zoramthanga has passed a resolution in the assembly against Forest Conservation amendment 2023. Assam CM Himanta Biswas Sarma is doing what is good for the state of Assam, Meghalaya state CM Conrad Sangma is not afraid to send state forces to defend state territory against neighbours casting evil eyes".

On this backdrop, the NNPG stated that it "believes Nagaland CM (Rio) should not remain a prisoner in his own paradise".

"Nagaland Chief Minister must know that history worships visionary political leaders only. Short term business leaders are not remembered beyond a generation. It demands a true leader of grit to differentiate between idealism and realism. WC, NNPGs can only hope that the incumbent Nagaland CM (Rio) will leave a positive footprint for future generation Nagas," the statement said.

It may be pointed out that Rio is Nagaland Chief Minister since 2003 when he ousted Congress veteran S C Jamir. For a brief spell between May 2014 and March 2018, Rio was in Parliament as Lok Sabha member and could return to power in 2018 with the support of 12 BJP MLAs.

It is understood some of the anguish of the NNPG at this juncture has its origin in the fact that the Meiteis and Nagas of Manipur has sort of developed a working relationship. It feels while this could be a pragmatic way of doing things in Manipur, the 'Nagas of Nagaland' must be left to themselves to work for a possible peace solution with the Narendra Modi government at the earliest.