A press release issued by the RLP President, Er NN Lotha while informing that he would be contesting the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections, stated that the “Naga Political issue has been prolonged for no valid reason as the Nagas are well aware of their political identity”.
However, while maintaining that “the Nagas inhabited areas have been divided and sub-divided into many units “to create confusion among the Naga Community and also to confuse the world leaders,” the RLP suggested a six point methodology ‘to arrive at honourable political solution of the century old Naga Political problem’.
In this regard, the party suggested that a “Tripartite Dialogue (i.e. Gov of India, Govt of Myanmar and the Naga people) under the supervision of United Nations interlocutor”.
It asserted that this is required because ‘the Naga inhabited area was divided into two halves between the Govt of India and Myanmar in the year 1953’.
It also maintained that since the Naga political problem issue started mainly during the then British Administration in the region, a representative from the British Government for the proposed Tripartite Dialogue would be required to properly assess and comment on the then political status of the Nagas.
Besides, while asserting that “a proper dateline for commencement of the dialogue and final dialogue” to arrive at honourable political solution must be fixed ‘preferably’ 2011-2015, the release stated that the Nagas must be ready to re-work out the dialogue agenda well in advance and that all the agenda must be discussed by various organization before proposed dialogue get started.
It also pointed out the ‘unification of the Naga National Workers’ as an essential step to arrive at the final decision since there can not be many solutions to ‘a single problem’.
“Piece meal solution will not bring about honourable political settlement as it may not be acceptable to all sections of the Naga society,” it stated.
The RLP president also stated that to bring about immediate peaceful atmosphere in the region, a UN Economic Package will be sought for through the government of India to create enough employment opportunities and also to make the state economically self reliant in the shortest possible period.
However, the release reminded that the above suggested methodology ‘does not mean to undermine any organisation’s effort to bring about solution in the Naga society but to revive, embolden and energize the ongoing dialogue with better participation’; it also welcomed opinion, suggestions and even criticism ‘ if there are better ways and means to do it’.
“The party wants the Naga Political Settlement in a more comprehensive way and for doing so suggestions, opinions and criticisms are invited from all sections of the Naga Society on the following issues to be raised in the Indian Parliament if elected as the State Lok Sabha Representative,” the RLP president stated, while adding that the “Perspective Budget” which has already been submitted to the 13th Finance Commission would be release in the form of ‘Party Election Manifesto’.
“It can be used as model development document for the Nagaland State by any political Party coming to power in the State including the present Government as development belongs to the people but not the Govt in power,” the release asserted.