JD(U) dharna on July 9 in Delhi for solution to Naga problem

The JD(U) will stage a dharna at its headquarters in Delhi on July 9 for an early solution to the protracted Naga political problem, a party leader said today.

JD(U) Nagaland unit president Senchumo NSN Lotha said the dharna would be part of the fulfillment of the partys state assembly poll manifesto.

JD(U), which is an ally of the NDA, would submit a representation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on the day of the dharna, party state general secretary Kitoho Rotokha said.

"We dont want our manifesto to remain an election slogan. We feel that Nagas must sincerely carry on their efforts for an early solution to the Naga political issue and JD(U) wants to be with them to press for it", Lotha said.

He said that the erstwhile Janata Party had been closely associated with the Naga issue.

Janata Party founding father Jaya Prakash Narayan, along with the then Assam chief minister Bimala Prasad Chaliah and Rev Michael Scot had formed the Naga Peace Mission in 1964 and an agreement to suspend operations was signed.

The present JD(U) president Nitish Kumar too is also very desirous and committed to a solution to the the issue, he said.

"Everybody wants an early solution to the Naga issue. As far as JD(U) is concerned we are confident that the negotiating parties are capable of striking a solution which is honourable and acceptable for the Naga society as a whole," he said.

"Delaying the solution will create more problems," Lotha added.

Rotokha said that the Centre had signed the Framework Agreement with the NSCN(IM) in 2015 but was yet to be implemented.

We want to impress upon Prime Minister Modi to live upto his commitment so that the protracted Indo-Naga political issue reaches not only an honourable and acceptable solution but also that an inclusive one is achieved, he added.