NEW DELHI, May 9 ? The NSCN (I-M) has underlined the need for solution of the Naga problem without further delay suggesting that both India and the Nagas have to understand each other?s difficulties and come forward with accommodative attitude to ensure that there is no stalemate after more than 54 years of Indo-Naga conflict. The statement made by none other than the NSCN (I-M) general secretary Th Muivah on the second day of the four-day Naga consultative meeting held at Hotel Alexander in Bangkok would sound like sweet music to the ears of the Government of India.
The wily general secretary was, however, unsparing in his attacks on the Union Government. ?Indian Government?s commitment towards Naga people is unstable and it frequently takes dramatic turn. Naga?s struggle for sovereignty is unique and it does not admit distortion. If the historical facts of the Nagas are not acknowledged, there cannot be headway in the Naga talks,? Th Muivah said, emphasising that the principles for which the NSCN stands would be protected at all costs.
Over 100 representatives of various organisations belonging to Nagaland, church leaders have been holding deliberations on the Naga peace process and ?strengthening peace strategy? at the Naga consultative meeting. The meet has been organised by the NSCN (I-M) to appraise the people on the political negotiation process and to seek people?s participation in the ongoing Indo-Naga political dialogue. He appealed to every Naga to make positive contributions during this opportune moment. There is no time to delay, as Naga interest can be best represented now, he said.
The meeting is slated to discuss the entire gamut of issues concerning the Naga problem including integrating self-determination, democracy and co-existence into peaceful political negotiation. Besides other issues like sharing of recent initiative by various tribes, social and mass-based organisations on the peace process, peace process and role of people?s organisation and reconciliation, development and reconstruction: challenges on nation building are the other subjects that are to be discussed in the conference that concludes tomorrow.
The inaugural session was attended by Dr Michael Van Walt Van Praag, the former Secretary General of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO), Ajarn Sulak, a prominent Thai peace activist and winner of UNPO award. The keynote speakers Dr Michael and Aja Sulak dealth with ?sharing experiences of struggling peoples? and ?reflection of grassroots peace-building? followed by plenary discussion, Apam Muivah, co-ordinator of the conference informed. A panel discussion on ?understanding peace process, negotiation and reconciliation? was addressed by Ajarn Gothom Arya, Registrar, Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Ajarn Somchai Homlaor, an activist lawyer from Forum Asia and Ajarn Mark Tamthai, chairman, sub-committee on Strategic Peace and Foreign Relations National Security, Thailand, the co-ordinator said