DIMAPUR:
The Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) has slammed the National Socialist Council Nagalim- Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM) for its remark that that the solution to the Naga problem put forth by NNPGs would “invite another era of bloodshed in Nagaland”.
In an official statement issued on April 20, the NNPGs hit back at the militant group saying “only desperate lunatics and bloodthirsty bandits would continue to talk of bloodshed”.
The NNPGs further added that it is “unforgivable” that such a threat was issued to the tribes of Nagaland who have seen enough innocent blood spilled in the name of sovereignty. It also sought to remind that “hundreds of innocent fathers and sons, who were whisked away at gunpoint and blindfolded, are still missing”.
The statement comes at a time when the Centre’s representative for Naga talks, AK Mishra is visiting Nagaland and both the NSCN (IM) and the NNPGs are holding separate parleys with the government of India to resolve the Naga issue.
On the Framework Agreement signed with the NSCN (IM) on August 3, 2015, the NNPGs reiterated that from 1997, when the NSCN (IM) signed the ceasefire agreement with the government of India, to August 3, 2015 and to October 31, 2019, when the talks were said to have concluded, the Nagas of Nagaland were misled and prevented from access to what was negotiated with the government of India.
Meanwhile, Mishra, who is on a week-long visit to Nagaland from April 18, held an informal meeting with the NSCN (IM)’s chief negotiator and general secretary T Muivah at the headquarters of the outfit at Camp Hebron on April 19. This is the first time that a representative of the government of India for Naga talks has held a meeting with the NSCN (IM) at its headquarters.
Mishra also held a closed-door meeting with the president of the Niki Sumi faction of the NSCN (Khaplang) and other leaders of the group at Chumukedima police complex later in the evening on Tuesday. He also met Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio at the police complex.
Mishra is scheduled to meet the working committee of the NNPGs on April 21 and the NSCN (IM) on April 22 and 23. He is also likely to meet the Core Committee on Naga Political Issue over the weekend.