DIMAPUR, May 16 ? The Naga National Council (NNC) while welcoming the ?positive step? taken by the Democratic Alliance government in Nagaland for uniting all Nagas under the aegis of Naga National Unity, on Tuesday reiterated its stand that any settlement ?without involving the NNC? can never achieve a solution to the vexed Indo-Naga political problem. Asserting that the Naga problem, which is a political one, ?needs a political solution?, NNC said. We welcome the Peace Committee formed under the dynamic leadership of the chief minister Neiphiu Rio. NNC general secretary Vizosielhou Nagi was addressing at a press conference at Jotsoma village near Kohima.
Nagi stated that NNC is a political institution for all Nagas, and its main principles are ?sovereignty and independence.? He affirmed that NNC always stood for Naga peace and unity and revealed the initiatives taken by it in this regard. The general secretary informed the media of their meetings with the senior functionaries of both the factions of the NSCN and Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) in places like Bangkok, Kualalumpur, Eastern Nagaland (part of Myanmar) and Noklak. At these meetings, ?We not only had thorough discussions on the subject of peace and unity but also submitted proposals to the groups?, he said.
Nagi said, ?NNC fully support the Reconciliation process initiated by the Naga Hoho on December 20, 2001.? NNC has urged upon all sections of Naga overgrounds and undergrounds to exercise restraint for peace to prevail among the Nagas. It also called upon the NGO?s in particular to organise mass based people?s participation for bringing all section of Nagas under one umbrella. Replying a query Panger Walling, president NNC said, ?NNC would continue to work for peace and unity among the Nagas.? The 71-year old Panger, who joined ?Naga freedom movement? in 1956 maintained, ?unity is a must for bringing any political solution.? When enquired about the Adino faction and Merh?pf? Kent?s NNC, the general secretary said that NNC is one and the question of different faction does not arise.