Work unitedly for solution of Naga political issue: Zeliang

The Naga political issue is no more the prerogative of the Naga nationalist groups alone but it belongs to all Nagas and therefore everyone should work unitedly for an early solution of the vexed problem, Nagaland Chief Minister T R Zeliang said today.
"The Naga political issue does not belong to any particular tribe, group or individual, but it belongs to the Nagas as a whole," Zeliang said while summing the two-day discussions in the Assembly on the Issue.
Significant steps have been taken towards unity and inclusiveness in Naga politics, with the sole objective of facilitating early resolution of the issue, he said and appealed to all the Naga nationalist groups to follow suit, and try to unite for the common Naga cause.

Zeliang said the concept of unity and inclusiveness should be the overriding principle in the Naga society, as well as for the over ground or underground politics, so that real unity can be brought about in the Naga family.
In this context, he welcomed the initiatives taken by the Interlocutor to the Naga political dialogue, R N Ravi, in consulting various sections of the Naga civil society, the students' community and the state government.
The CM said the state government is willing to play a more pro-active role in the Naga political dialogue.

"Our role is that of a facilitator, and not a participant in the Naga political dialogue, which is currently on between the Government of India and NSCN(IM)," he added.

Zelaing also expressed gratitude to all the members of the House for their enthusiastic and spirited participation in the discussion, and for airing their views and suggestions.
Stating that the Disturbed Area Act and AFSPA should be lifted from the state at the earliest, Speaker Chotisuh Sazo urged all Naga nationalist workers to unite in letter and spirit to bring permanent peace in the state.
Continuing the discussion on the issue for the second day today, most of the members said the demands and offers put forth by the Centre and the NSCN(IM) should be made public so that broader discussions could be made in the Naga society.

Meanwhile, after the two days of discussion in which 50 MLAs participated, a committee was formed to examine the resolutions to be adopted by state Assembly on the Naga Political Issue.
The Committee would submit the resolutions for adoption on July 27.