Nagaland is not like Delhi: Naga Hoho on governor's increasing role in state

The Naga Hoho, the apex tribal body of Nagas has written a letter to PM Narendra Modi regarding a host of unresolved issues in the state that has created a lacuna. In the letter, they have raised about key issues: the framework agreement signed in 2015, Nagaland being declared the disturbed area again and the role of Governor R N Ravi who is also the interlocutor in the Nagaland issue.

Speaking to Inside Northeast, H.K. Zhimomi President Naga Hoho said, "the process (framework agreement) is still going and what is behind the agreement? There is an inability of any solution as its been 5 years running".

On the issue of Nagaland being declared as disturbed area, Zhimomi said, "that's why we wrote the letter to PM Modi. At a time when they are trying to achieve peace, what's the point of AFSPA?"

Recently the state has been on the news when a letter forwarded by Commissioner and Secretary to have the details of the relatives of government employees in the State involved in Naga underground groups. Earlier, the Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the state government does not want to confront or disagree with Governor R N Ravi on the issue of “profiling Govt officials of the relatives of underground groups”. Zhimomi maintains this has increased the role of Governor in the state as R N Ravi "is trying to direct the state government". "We doubt of governor's intention. When there is an elected govt, according to democracy, the governor is not the commander as he acts on the advice of the cabinet. Yes under special prevision governor can exercise certain powers but he's not suppose do it overall. Right now he's directing the state govt. Is this parliamentary democracy?", said Zhimomi.

On the issue of the current workings of the state government, Zhimomi said, "We are even asking whether the state govt are sharing powers with the governor? Because it seems like the governor is directing bureaucracy. Nagaland can't be compared to Delhi because its a union territory, Nagaland is a fully-fledged state".

Also read: Nagaland CM Rio on underground profiling: ‘Didn’t want to confront or disagree Governor’

The contents of the letter sent to PM Modi by Naga Hoho: Full text

The Naga Hoho representing the Naga people and aspirations irrespective of territorial boundaries extend our good wishes at a time such as this when a pandemic has hit normal life and economy.

In a time like this, the Nagas remember and treasure your words and assurance of 3rd August 2015 on the historic signing of the Framework Agreement when you said, “I have deepest admiration for the great Naga people for their extraordinary support to the peace efforts.” It confirmed our support to the peace efforts and our longing for tangible honourable
and acceptable settlement of long-drawn Indo-Naga political issue.

1. It has been five years since “Framework Agreement” was signed between Government of India (GoI) and the NSCN/GPRN but no tangible solution is emerging nor is there any progress in the political talk. We feel that the Framework Agreement has been interpreted to suit the interest of the GoI. The Nagas desire the earliest clarification on the progress and position of this framework agreement from the
   Government of India.
2. While the Naga people, both young and old have been expecting with great hope for a peaceful settlement, the GoI have announced and declared that, formal talks on IndoNaga Political issue has concluded on 31st October 2019. This is not only surprising but also disturbing and more so with many unwarranted turn of events. Sir, you are
   well aware that the entire Nagaland is being declared as ‘Disturbed Area’ under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act every six months despite a ceasefire with the Naga political groups. The Indian Army continues to operate against peace and the people and there is a rise in violence, confrontations and killings like the pre-ceasefire
   period. The recent case of 11th July 2020 where 6 boys were mercilessly gunned down in their sleep by the 6 Assam Rifles near Nginu village of Longding District, Arunachal Pradesh blots the effort to peace and settlement.
3. We express that all principles and framework agreed upon must be respected and not be changed unitarily. The 2001 Bangkok Agreement clearly stated that Ceasefire shall be without Territorial limit but the ceasefire covers only to the state of Nagaland. The agreement was signed during the Prime Ministership of Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee
   and is contradictory to the ceasefire currently in place. The Government must clarify the position of the Bangkok Agreement.
4. The Government of India and the Nagas have signed several agreements in the past; however, these agreements did not yield in bringing honourable, acceptable and desired solution so far. The Nagas feel it is due to lack of honest political will and
   sincerity from the successive Governments of India.
5. The Nagas observe that Governor of Nagaland who is also the Interlocutor to the Indo-Naga Peace Talk is functioning in an autocratic manner without any regard and respect for what has been achieved so far. It is worthwhile to remember and forgetting
   that the Indo-Naga political issue has taken a huge toll on generations of both sides (India and Naga). With the appointment of Shri. R.N Ravi as the Governor, it was hoped to expedite the peace process. Instead, he is breaking the hard-earned trust and faith of the people and rendering the 23 years of negotiation meaningless by smearing
   the Naga history and also the political groups with whom the GoI is engaged in a negotiation. The government employees are also mandatorily made to self declare their relationships with member of the Naga political groups. We are concerned that this will lead to profiling the employees and also criminalizing the organizations and the members of these organizations.
6. We feel that peaceful settlement cannot be achieved with an interlocutor without empathy and without understanding our people, our history and our aspiration. We remember Mahatma Gandhi who gave respect and honour to our political rights and we need a similar leader to translate the Indo-Naga negotiation into an honorable
   solution that will safeguard and protect the interest of one another.

   Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.

   To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us HERE.

   Download:

   The Inside Northeast app HERE for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.

   Do keep following us for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.