National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) and Government of India are scheduled to hold, possibly the final meeting, in New Delhi on October 24 (today), reports Nagaland post. In Nagaland, state police has beefed up security while armed forces are also high alert to maintain law and order. On the other hand, many people resorted to panic buying of food items in case of any disturbances. A solution could be inked by October end or first week of November.
Meanwhile, on October 23, NSCN-IM alleged Government of India (GoI) was sowing seed of division amongst Nagas, reports Northeast Today. NSCN-IM stated that “Under the pretext of compromising with contemporary reality, which is a machination of the government of India to hoodwink the Nagas into submission, the agreed principle of honourable and acceptable solution cannot be side-lined into oblivion. Unfortunately, the government of India’s insincere approach has brought down the Indo-Naga political talks to this level.”
NSCN-IM ‘chairman’ Q Tuccu stated ahead of crucial meeting that he would go as per the voice of the people, reports East Mojo on October 24. He stated that he would go as per the voice of the people as the struggle was a people’s movement and opinion of Nagas before the final accord be taken to avoid bloodshed and permanent peace in the region.
East Mojofurther adds on October 24 that Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) stated that “…And that in any given situation, the church would continue to stand above the solution and pray that unity and mutual understanding prevailed among the leaders in particular and the Nagas in general”
Additionally, on October 23 various civil society organisations and students’ unions have expressed their disappointment over the non-inclusion of their organisations in the political talks, reports North East Today. Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has stated that by excluding them from the exercise, the Government of India is depriving the Naga students and youths of the opportunity to express their aspirations and desires from the impending solution to the protracted Indo-Naga political issue. NSF stated that “It is an undeniable fact that the NSF is the oldest pan Naga civil society organisation formed to represent the voice of the Naga people. But in the recent series of consultative meets, the federation has been left out as an uninvited guest”. NSF also added that RN Ravi in his dual role as the interlocutor as well as the Governor of Nagaland was viewed with scepticism by the Naga people. NSF stated that “However, the federation refrained from making our disagreement public hoping that he would discharge his dual duty with the highest degree of integrity which, to our utter dismay, was not to be”.
Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) has objected to the exclusion of civil society like Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers’ Association, Naga Students Federation and the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights that have supported the peace process and peace dialogue for decades, reports Northeast Today on October 24.