The Naga People’s Front (NPF) on Sunday expressed hope that with the appointment of R.N. Ravi, the interlocutor for Naga peace talks since August 2014, as the Nagaland governor, an amicable and acceptable solution to the Naga political problem would be arrived at soon.
The Opposition party in Nagaland, in a release, congratulated Ravi on his new assignment and hoped that solution is not far away.
It appreciated the Central government for appointing a person in the like of Ravi, saying he is well versed with the Naga people, particularly because he is working closely with the Naga political issue.
However, the NPF appealed to the Centre that his new assignment should not hamper the ongoing dialogue between it and the Naga political groups but should expedite and bring solution at the earliest.
It said sending Ravi to Nagaland as a constitutional head and interlocutor should create a better correlation to bring in solution to the vexed Naga political problem.
With Ravi being closely associated with the Naga problem and is now assigned with new office, the NPF appealed to both the Centre and the Naga groups to hammer out solution at the earliest.
“Ravi’s appointment should not delay the solution in any ways but be another milestone in bringing solution, which is a long-felt desire of the Naga people for decades,” the party said.
The NPF reiterated and affirmed its stand that the Naga political problem has been the top most priority of the party since its inception and that remains unchanged.
The party said it has high expectation from Delhi that it will not play any delay tactics but put in sincere efforts for resolution of the Naga political problem.
It also told the Central government that Ravi’s appointment as the governor of the state should never hamper and delay the talks.
The NPF also expressed apprehension that appointment of a new interlocutor at this juncture may delay the solution.
The party said the Naga people hope that through Ravi, the aspirations of the Nagas will be met because of his long interaction and close association with all the negotiating groups, including all civil societies, covered by all Naga-inhabited areas regardless of political boundaries.
Appointment of Ravi, who signed the Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015 with the NSCN (IM) on behalf of the Centre, as the Nagaland governor came as a surprise to many in the state. T
here are mixed feelings of both hope and despair on the ongoing Naga talks in different circles in the state following his appointment.
There is also suspense on whether his appointment means a historic breakthrough in the Naga peace talks or a return to uncertainty.
The Framework Agreement was perceived to be the prelude to solution to the Naga issue.