The Naga People’s Front Legislature Party (NPFLP) has expressed its appreciation and welcomed the “Niki Sumi’s group of the NSCN-K for reviving the abrogated ceasefire agreement with the Government of India”. The NPFLP said that this was the right decision at the right time “when the peace process between the Government of India and the Naga negotiating groups are expected to come to a logical conclusion”.
In a press statement, the NPFLP said that it has always been its desire that all “Naga political groups” should come together and join the dialogue for one solution and one agreement. “We have put in all efforts to bring every Naga nationalist group on board so that no one is left out when the final moment arrives,” it also said.
According to the NPFLP, after the abrogation of the ceasefire agreement in 2015 by the NSCN-K, the then Chief Minister, TR Zeliang during DAN-III government, had written to the “collective leadership” of the NSCN-K requesting the latter to come back and resume ceasefire with the Government of India.
It then said that, in 2016, the DAN-III government had sent a 6-member team, comprised of the Naga Hoho and ENPO to meet SS Khaplang, chairman of the NSCN-K, after obtaining requisite clearances from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
It also said that the joint team of Naga Hoho and ENPO undertook assignment to Myanmar from January 24, 2016 till February 2, 2016. “While in Myanmar, the joint team called on the 5 Naga MPs of Myanmar on January 26, 2016; Myanmar Union Minister, U Aungmin on January 27, 2016; and Emissary of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group, NSCN-K at Mandalay, Kyaw Win Swe on January 31, 2016”, it added.
The NPFLP then said that a formal letter signed by 8 representatives and addressed to SS Khaplang, chairman of the NSCN (K), was submitted to the emissary, Kyaw Win Swe appealing for review and resumption of ceasefire with the Government of India. It further said that the joint team also met Vipin Sharma, the Consul at the Consulate General of India, Myanmar and highlighted before him the prevailing state of affairs. “This was all initiated with the true spirit of inclusiveness to include all the Naga groups in the peace process,” it added.
“Today, our long revered aspiration has come true and it is firmly believed that the Government of India will not miss this opportunity but come up with a positive approach to settle the long protracted Naga political issue at the earliest date possible,” the NPFLP stated.
NNN