RN Ravi
Nagaland governor RN Ravi. Image credit - Twitter @IPS_Association

The NSCN (IM) on Saturday blamed Centre’s interlocutor RN Ravi for Naga talks remaining inconclusive.

Reminding that Ravi had failed utterly to consult the apex civil society organisations of the Nagas, the outfit asked if he is really sincere to find an honourable solution.

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The outfit in a statement on Saturday lauded the Naga civil society groups for standing up boldly to prove Ravi “wrong” and to show him to mind his language of “divisive tone”.

It said the civil society groups “tamed” Ravi to be moderate and not to resort to unethical psychological pressure using threat.

The outfit thanked them for doing the right thing in pointing out where the interlocutor went wrong.

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“You have rightfully stood up against economic packages at the cost of our political rights. That is the way to defend political identity of Naga nationhood,” said the NSCN (IM).

It said the Nagas simply cannot be carried away by any economic packages which are against the sanctity of their God-given rights.

Saying that the Nagas have history to learn, the outfit said the government of India should open the pages of the past agreements like Shillong Accord and 16 Point Agreement.

“These agreements are the root cause of the present Indo-Naga political problem. Historical blunders should not be repeated deliberately,” it said.

Noting that the Nagas have had enough of divisive politics, the outfit said the civil society groups reminded Ravi to stay away from playing divisive politics.

“This is the testing time for the Nagas to present ourselves as one in our political aspiration notwithstanding petty politics of lapses. Forgiving each other under the spirit of reconciliation should come into play at this turning point of history,” it said.

The outfit said it fully acknowledged the role of Naga civil society groups in rising up to the occasion when the Nagas were confronted with “tryst with destiny”.

The way they made their position clear through the media is highly valued and appreciated, it said.

The outfit expressed gratitude to the civil society groups for demonstrating their passion and pride of the Nagas’ unique history and situation.

“This is the crowning glory of our political negotiations with the government of India to take us to where we belong. This is the foundation that we have built to take us to the solution that is honourable and acceptable,” it said.

The outfit further said the civil society groups pointed out that honourable and acceptable solution means honouring the Naga flag and constitution.

 

Bhadra Gogoi is Northeast Now Correspondent in Nagaland. He can be reached at: [email protected]