Former Nagaland chief minister SC Jamir said the central government should be honest and bold enough to make public the full contents of the framework agreement signed with the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) to the people of Nagaland.
“It is expected that whatever agreement is drawn up would be in the best interests of the Nagas,” Jamir said in a statement on Saturday.
Asking the Naga people to unite and to recognise the “contemporary political reality”, the former governor of Goa, Maharashtra and Odissa urged the Centre to hammer out an honourable solution to the Naga problem without any further delay.
Jamir called for an end to what he called “political polemics”. He was optimistic that with the dawn of a new political environment, the people of Nagaland can embark upon once again a well-ordered and progressive administration to promote rapid economic development of the state in order to catch up with the rest of the country.
According to Jamir, this would require renewed determination, dedication and commitment for the people of Nagaland.
However, he said: “Let the final political settlement be made first.”
Jamir contended that the pace of development in Nagaland should have picked up after agreements of ceasefire were signed between the government of India and various Naga armed groups.
“Sadly, that has not happened due to political instability, rank misgovernance and rampant corruption indulged in by those in power,” he stated.
“As a result of all this, Nagaland is now perceived as a failed state while the rest of India has marched ahead,” he added.
Jamir cited ‘poor governance, gun culture and corruption’ as the ‘negative factors’ for underdevelopment in Nagaland.
He suggested four measures to counter the problems including right choice of people’s representatives, creation of a safe environment for investment and development, creation of avenues for employment of youth and good governance.