State cannot close its eyes to present situation: APO Chief
Source: NEPS / Oken Jeet Sandham

Kohima, November 01: The Angami Public Organization (APO) has expressed serious concern on the prevailing factional clashes in some parts of the State, saying that such incidents affected the peaceful environment in the State.

Talking to NEPS here at his private residence today, APO President Mhiesezokho Zinyu said, "Naga political problem is political issue and anything to do with it (Naga political affairs) is political."

Angami Public Organization President Mhiesezokho Zinyu

He, however, elucidated that anything to do with environment was concerned of law and order.

"Therefore, the factional clashes might be for political reason but we cannot close our eyes and say they do not come under the purview of the law and order issue," he stated.

The APO chief asserted that the law and order had to do with the "maintenance of law and order." "This is very much State subject," he said, adding, "The State cannot close its eyes and say it has got nothing to do with all these troubles and traumas around us." Asked his comments on the flawed ground rules in the ceasefires, Zinyu expressed it should be rectified if such things were there.

But all these incidents should come under the purview of that ceasefire ground rules.

There were authorities to enforce the ground rules but "you can't say--'have ceasefires and do anything you like'---because it ultimately disturbs the environment, which is again the law and order issue." On the ongoing peace process between the Government of India and the Naga underground leaders, the APO President recalled how the past Accord and Agreements failed to reach any solution to the Indo-Naga political issue.

He mentioned of the Government of India's failures to fulfill their duties since the Hydari Agreement and that was how solution to this protracted issue remained elusive till today.

Asked if the one faction would bring solution to the Naga issue, Zinyu said, "Nagas are not saying that the Naga problem can be solved by piecemeal." "We can see even how many Agreements and Accords were entered into even after the 16-Point Agreement that led to the birth of the present State of Nagaland," he reminded.

He was, however, skeptical the very coin used---"the final political settlement." "I don't know when final settlement to the Naga political issue will come about," he pointed out.

"But what I feel is that unless and until we come as one, it will be difficult for any final settlement to come." He said, "Solution is more important than argument and we all should seek for solution." On the relative peaceful environment in the State capital and most of the Angami areas, the APO chief attributed for all these happenings to all the citizens living in the State capital and Angami areas.

"We appreciate for whatever happening in the capital and also appreciate the wisdom of those groups for not creating troubles in the capital," he stated.