The Naga People's Movement for Human Rights has requested the world communities to support and strengthen the ongoing peace process between the Government of India and the Naga resistance Groups (NSCN), so that an early solution to the long drawn Naga political conflict could be achieved, besides also seeking understanding, wisdom and critical solidarity in order to let peace reign in the region. Addressing the 20th session of the United Nations Working Group on Indigenous Population (UNWGIP) at Geneva, representative of NPMHR, Neipuni Piku told the august gathering that the Naga peace process is continuing notwithstanding the slow progress made at the political dialogue.
Quoting the Bangkok Naga consultation statement, he said, "Great Britain has the moral and legal obligation to clarify her position on the Naga people and their land, which India claims to have inherited from the then British-India". In order to facilitate political dialogue and the peace process, NPMHR has demanded that the Indian army should go back to the barracks and that the NSCN cadres be confined to their designated camps during the period of ceasefire, the NPMHR representative said, adding that NPMHR is also continuing with its campaign for repeal of anti-democratic legislation such as APCOCO, POTA, etc, including Armed Forces(Special Powers) Act, which continues to remain in force despite the ceasefire agreements.
The NPMHR representative also alleged that despite the peace process overtures, Naga people continue to be confronted with a more subtle form of war from the Indian state and its agencies, saying that even though there is cessation of open armed hostility and lessening of physical violence, "massive psychological warfare continues to be waged trying to break the will and spirit of the people in their struggle for dignity, justice and peace". Lauding the recent joint communiqué issued from Amsterdam by the Government of India and the NSCN, stating, "the GoI recognizes the unique history and situation of the Nagas, and agreed that talks should proceed in an accommodative and forward-looking manner so that a lasting and honorable solution could be arrived at", the NPMHR representative expressed hope that this would set the space for political negotiations to take place. The NPMHR also fully endorsed the indigenous people caucus statement for continuation of UNWGIP, which it said continues to be one of the only forums within the UN for standard settings, pertaining to the promotion of basic human rights and fundamental freedom of the indigenous people.
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