Naga issue shouldn’t linger on: CM Zeliang

SEEKING AN early resolution of the Naga political issue, Chief Minister T R Zeliang has expressed apprehension that if the issue is allowed to linger on, it would only aggravate the problem.

The chief minister’s observations at the silver jubilee celebration of Phom People’s Council on Sunday come as the ceasefire agreement signed between the Central government and NSCN(IM) is set to complete two decades next year.

“I want to see the resolution of the Naga political problem in our lifetime, instead of bequeathing an unresolved problem to future generations... If it is allowed to linger on, I am afraid more political groups might crop up in the years to come, and that will only compound the problem and the solution would be more elusive than ever,” Zeliang said, pointing out that there are already five factions of the NNC and four factions of NSCN.

“These groups have the same goals, but it is difficult to bring them together to present a single voice and opinion to the Government of India,” he added.

Referring to how all 60 members of the state assembly had come together and become part of his government, Zeliang asked: “When erstwhile political opponents can come together for the cause of the Naga problem, why can’t the Naga political groups come together? Why can’t all sections of the Naga society come together for an early resolution of the problem which has been the main stumbling block for peace, harmony and all-round development in our society?”

On Monday, the Centre extended its ceasefire agreement with the NSCN faction of Kitovi Zhimomi and Neokpao Konyak for another year, effective from April 28. While the Central government and NSCN(IM) had signed a ceasefire agreement in 1997, the NSCN (Khalpang) last year abrogated the ceasefire it had signed in 2001.

Zeliang also appreciated that various civil society groups — such as the Naga Students’ Federation, Naga Hoho and Naga Mothers’ Association — had recently come together to work for an early solution.