NSF – Manipur News

Nagaland: Naga Students Federation takes responsibility of burning some Manipur bound items

KOHIMA: The Naga Students Federation (NSF) has taken the responsibility of burning some items from Manipur bound truck last night and burnt on the National Highway as the truck driver defy to hear the NSF volunteers to return the truck back to Dimapur, as done by other Manipur bound trucks, but volunteers did not harm any […]

Withdraw economic blockade in Manipur by Christmas or face counter blockade on Nagaland bound vehicles: MYHROA (Assam) warns UNC/NSF

A newly formed JAC has unanimously resolved to impose indefinite counter economic blockade along all National Highways leading to Nagaland from Karbi-anglong District, Gholaghat District and Jorhat District, if the UNC/NSF fails to withdraw their economic blockade before or by the Christmas. According to a release, the Meetei Youths’ for Human Rights Organisation of Assam […]

NSF to blockade State bound vehicles

IMPHAL, Dec 19 : Taking grave note of the situation in Manipur, the Naga Students’ Federation today resolved to impose a total blockade on all Manipur bound vehicles in the Naga inhabited areas till the Government of Manipur assures the safety and security of Nagas in Manipur. However NSF will consider relaxing the stricture on […]

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2016/12/nsf-to-blockade-state-bound-vehicles/

ANSAM cautions on Sadar Hills and Jiribam dist

The All Naga Students’ Association Manipur has submitted a memorandum to the state Governor on the issue relating to the creation of Sadar Hills and Jiribam districts in the state. The memorandum said ANSAM feels it necessary to remind the state government of the various Memorandums of Understanding signed between the state government and the […]

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2016/10/ansam-cautions-on-sadar-hills-and-jiribam-dist/

Frame modality to tackle influx of illegal immigrants: NSF

Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has urged the state government to immediately frame a strong modality that could tackle the influx of illegal immigrants. In a representation addressed to the chief secretary, the NSF president Subenthung Kithan and NLR commission chairman Kezhazer Angami expressed concern over the influx of non-locals and illegal immigrants into Nagaland and […]

The post Frame modality to tackle influx of illegal immigrants: NSF appeared first on KanglaOnline.

NSF protest rally for repeal of AFSPA

Source: Nagaland Post To express strong resentment against the imposition of Armed Forces Special Power Act (APSPA), the Naga students’ Federation (NSF), the apex Naga student body, organized mass protest rally in the streets of state capital and later converged at Kohima local ground for public address on Thursday. The protest rally was also simultaneously […]

The post NSF protest rally for repeal of AFSPA appeared first on KanglaOnline.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2016/08/nsf-protest-rally-repeal-afspa/

Nagaland Students to step up agitation against AFSPA, Rally on 11th August

The Naga Students’ Federation’s (NSF) phase wise agitation began on August 3 with students in educational institutions all over Nagaland wearing black badges and bands to protest the extension of Disturbed Areas Act (DAA) and the imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). During a press conference held at the NSF office, President Subenthung […]

The post Nagaland Students to step up agitation against AFSPA, Rally on 11th August appeared first on KanglaOnline.

NSF rejects report

IMPHAL, Jun 2: Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has clarified that it never supported the three Bills passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly at NESO meeting held at Guwahati on May 17.

The post NSF rejects report appeared first on The Sangai Express.

IMPHAL, Jun 2: Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has clarified that it never supported the three Bills passed by the Manipur Legislative Assembly at NESO meeting held at Guwahati on May 17.

The post NSF rejects report appeared first on The Sangai Express.

Read more / Original news source: http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/nsf-rejects-report/

An Open Letter to Nagaland CM

To Mr. T R Zeliang Hon’ble CM, Nagaland Sir, Kindly recall your speech at the venue of this year’s Lui Ngai Ni Festival at Ukhrul, where you spoke of the aspirations of the Nagas. You were talking of the oneness of the Nagas and yet you had called the three bills passed by the Manipur

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2016/03/an-open-letter-to-nagaland-cm/

MSAD supports NSF’s protest with a reservation : PR

February 25, Delhi : Manipur Students’ Association Delhi in a press release strongly condemn the incident of harassment and assault on the members of Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) by Manipur Police at Mantripukhri, Imphal on 14th Feb 2016. The statement signed by Rajiv Mairembam, General Secretary, MSAD further states that MSAD demand an immediate action

DGP Khoute talks to his Nagaland counterpart on NSF ban of Meitei Manipuri Vehicles

IMPHAL, February 23: In the wake of the Naga Students’ Federation’s ban on vehicles belonging to Meiteis/ Manipuris, Manipur Director General of Police LM Khoute had talked with his Nagaland counterpart Leng Doungel on the phone and relayed his apprehension over the threat. According to a reliable source, Khoute is said to have asked Doungel

Naga People Organisation Manipur questions govt’s silence over NSF memo

KANGPOKPI, February 23: The Naga People’s Organization (NPO) in a statement has come out strongly against the prolong silence of the Manipur government over the alleged assault of NSF by State commandos on February 14 in Imphal. With the seven-day deadline of the NSF already expired and proposed bandh on Manipur vehicles set to be

Naga Students’ Federation bans Meitei & Manipuri owned vehicles indefinitely

IMPHAL, Feb 22: Naga Students` Federation (NSF) in its emergency presidential council meeting held today at its conference hall discussed on the memorandum submitted to the Government of Manipur on February 16 and its failure to comply with the demands…

NSF bans Manipur vehicles

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2016/02/nsf-bans-manipur-vehicles/

Wuzu Massacre: Naga Students’ Federation Memorandum against AFSPA Submitted to the Governor of Nagaland on 23rd July 2015

Ref no. NSF/memo-1/15-17

Ref no. NSF/memo-1/15-17 Dated 23/07/15

To,

Shri PB Acharya

Honourable Governor of Nagaland

Subject : Appeal against the ongoing unjust war on the Naga people, demand for the punishment of the personnel responsible for the Wuzu massacre of July 16, 2015 and the immediate repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958.

Sir,

With due respect, we, the undersigned, would like to submit this memorandum, to inform you of the Naga apprehensions and escalation of disturbances to peace and security of our people as a result of an unjust war. We would also like to seek for your kind cooperation with the Naga people and necessary intervention to take up adequate action against the war crimes perpetrated by the Indian army at Wuzu Village on July 16, 2015 and the immediate repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958.

That;

The honourable Governor must be aware of the media coverage about the Wuzu Massacre in Nagaland, on July 16, 2015. which has been misreported as cross firing between the NSCN(K) and the Indian Armed forces by the Indian Media. On that unfortunate day; a convoy of the Assam Rifles and Para Commandos, led by Major Surinder Singh of the 46 AR C Company, indiscrimanately fired upon the unarmed residents of Wuzu Village, who were having a discussion with the Major regarding the customary ritual funeral of the mortal remains of late Captain Puhachu, NSCN(K) who was one of those killed by the Indian Army on the midnight of 15th July 2015. In this massacre Miss Aso (13 years old) and Mr Tiizali (14 years old) were killed; Mrs Esther Jorror(24 years old) was injured, and properties were destroyed by the rampant firing of the Indian Army. The unfortunate victims were meither fired upon by the NSCN(K) nor were there any cross firing. However, the Indian media and the military establishment, as usual, have covered up the massacre with misinformation propaganda. In this regard, we have conducted a fact finding mission, which has now been widely cirulated. The fact finding report is being attached for your kind information (Annexure I).
The honorable Governor must be aware of the fact that India’s unjust war on the Naga people, in the initial stage, was primarily motivated by extra territorial, geo strategic, mercantile capitalist interests of the national chauvinist ruling forces, who in the subsequent period of time have erected local puppet regimes. In the last few decades, India’s capitalist interests to expropriate Naga natural resources and to control trade routes have been rigorously enforced at gun point. Throughout the period since the late 1940s, the Nagas have been bearing with the negative fallouts of this unjust war by India, which have been constitutionally buttressed by the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 (henchforth AFSPA). We, the Naga people, cannot remain silent on this anymore.
The honourable Governor must be aware of the facts that throughout the period, from 1948 to 1957, the AFSPA has been theoretically imposed in all the ‘provinces’ of India. It was repealed in 1957 because it was an ugly blot to the image of a democratic and republican India. However, from 1958 onwards, India’s unjust war on the Naga people has been covered up under this Act. Section 1 of the AFSPA empowers the Governor of a State or the Government of India to construe any area or territory as disturbed and to act accordingly. SECTION 4 of the Act empowers any concerned officer to act on ‘his’ suspicion and consequently arrest anyone without warrant, to search any premise without warrant, destroy and kill. SECTION 5 of the Act empowers the concerned officer to detain any arrested person with the least possible delay and does not stipulate any time frame of the detention. SECTION 6 of the Act defends any army personnel from being held accountable for any violation of human rights inflicted on innocent citizen. Why has the onus of the AFSPA been imposed on us, when we do not want the Indian army to rule over us?
The honourable Governor must be aware of the fact that the Right to Life and justice sanctioned by the Indian Constitution and the Protection of Human Rights Act 1993, have been denied to the people affected by the AFSPA. The AFSPA has allowed the Indian Army to unleash a reign of terror, that is, perpetration of war crimes with impunity. This unjust war on the Naga people violates the international standards, such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 1948, the Geneva Conventions 1949 (and additional protocols), the United Nations Convention against Torture (1984, signed in India), the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 2007). The unjust war is responsible for the killing, torture, sexual disgrace, destruction of property, control of our markets and natural resources by the market forces, trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorders, deprivation and marginalisation, insecurity, and various forms of disturbances to the Naga people.
The honourable Governor must be aware of the opinions and recommendations that suggests that the Naga struggle is a ‘national liberation movement’ in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland and Myanmar which is structurally rooted by the constrains of the Indian capitalist political economy. There is a widespread view that upholds that the nationality question cannot be solved militarily. However, the Government of India is acting undemocratically, by investing more in the unjust war efforts, to keep the Nagas permanently under siege. How long should we remain silent to the suppression of democratic voices that are being raised against subjugation and exploitation.

The Naga students’ community and the Nagas are aghast by the Wuzu Masscre. Fully comprehending the dangerous fallouts of the prolonged unjust war, we appeal to your esteemed Office, to hear our democratic voice and to fulfill our immediate demands.

Our immediate demands are:

Publicly condemn the Wuzu Massacre of July 16, 2015.
Punish the war criminals responsible for the Wuzu Massacre.
The Armed Forces both Military and Para Military to be recalled back to their respective camp from their ruthless operation.
Immediate repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

sd/-

Subenthung Kithan

President, Naga Students’ Federation

sd/-

Boveio Poukai Duo

General Secretary, Naga Students’ Federation

MSAD and CPDM condemned Wuzu massacre

We Condemn the Wuzu Massacre of July 16, 2015 Solidarity to Kohima Rally against AFSPA, July 23, 2015 MSAD and CPDM Letter to the Naga Students’ Federation. July 2015 Dear

We Condemn the Wuzu Massacre of July 16, 2015

Solidarity to Kohima Rally against AFSPA, July 23, 2015

MSAD and CPDM Letter to the Naga Students’ Federation.

July 2015

Dear Friends,

At the very outset, we, the undersigned, condemn the Wuzu Massacre in Nagaland, on July 16, 2015, perpetrated by the combined forces of the Assam Rifles and Para Commandos. On that unfortunate day; baby Aso (13 years old) and master Tiizali (14 years old) were killed, Mrs. Esther Jorror (24 years old) was bullet injured, properties were destroyed, and the Wuzu village was inflicted with prolong psychological trauma. Having gone through the ground report prepared by the Naga Students’ Federation and the Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, we strongly condemn the misinformation propaganda that attempted to cover up the inhumane crimes that were mercilessly perpetrated on the innocent people of Wuzu Village.

Simultaneously, we extend our solidarity to the proposed Kohima Rally against the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958, scheduled to be held on 23 July 2015, under the initiatives of the Naga Students’ Federation. For several decades, ever since the Indian State took over on the Nagas, the progressive sections amongst the Nagas have been raising democratic voices with the hope to achieve a National Democratic Revolution. The response of the Indian State have been militaristic and divisive. The Indian State in collusion with the local reactions have been unleashing a reign of terror, to suppress the Naga democratic voices. It went side by side militaristic capitalist intrusion, that is, extraction of ‘super profit’ from the Naga resources, trade routes, markets, and labour. This unjust war, buttressed by the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, have been responsible for the subjugations, oppressions, coercions, disturbances, insecurities, and confusions amongst the larger bulk of the Nagas.

We extend our solidarity, because, we think that the ‘global’ character of capital inflows and extraction of surplus values in various forms, carried out through unleashing State terrorism (militarisation), affected peoples across community and territorial boundaries. The neighbouring small communities and territories in the Indo-Myanmar regions are economically and geographically closely interconnected to one another in such a manner that neither one can flourish without the rest nor the rests are immune from any destructive policy that affected one community or territory. This tendency have been historically proven during the British colonial period, the World Wars, and the ongoing onslaught by the big capitalist forces. Therefore, there is always the need to encourage one another in the democratic struggles, learn from each other’s experiences, and build up coordination and unity. We uphold the principles: “Divided We Fall, United We Win” and “People United Will Never Be Defeated”.

Solidarity to the leadership of the Naga Students’ Federation on the occasion of the Kohima Rally against AFSPA, on July 23, 2015.

Long live peoples’ democratic movement.

Long live people’s democracy.

Sd/-

Priyobata Irengbam

Manipur Students’ Association Delhi

Sd/

Manishwar Nongmaithem

Campaign for Peace & Democracy (Manipur)

July 22, 2015.

Delhi.

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/msad-and-cpdm-condems-wuzu-massacre/

India’s War on Naga Peoples: Wuju firing

July 15, 20015 FACT FINDING REPORT OF WUZU FIRING AND THE KILLING OF TWO STUDENTS BY THE ASSAM RIFLES Fact-finding Team: (1) Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) (2) Naga Peoples Movement

July 15, 20015

FACT FINDING REPORT OF WUZU FIRING AND THE KILLING OF TWO STUDENTS BY THE ASSAM RIFLES

Fact-finding Team:
(1) Naga Students’ Federation (NSF)
(2) Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR)

Why did they fire at us? Was one question the villagers at Wuzu, Phor and new Phor asked when the NSF and NPMHR team went for fact-finding at Wuzu village. A five members fact-finding team from 17th to 19th July 2015 visited and talked to the eye witnesses.

Sequence of events

July 15: Firing starts at Avankhu (Also known as Avankhung) area where two NSCN K cadres are killed by the Assam Rifles. The firing starts around 11 pm at night and lasted till 5 am in the morning of July 16.

July 16: The bodies of the two cadres were being taken to Meluri via Wuzu by the AR. Five AR vehicles convoy (three 407 truck, gypsy, and one tata truck) passes through Wuzu village by 6 pm, according to eye witnesses in the village. The villagers having learned that one of the slain cadres, Captain Puhachu belonged to Wuzu village decides to request the AR to hand over the body for proper burial in the village land as per Naga customs.

Firing inside Wuzu village

The village leaders of Wuzu and neighboring villages of Phor and New Phor stood by the side of the road and raise their hands when the Army convoys was passing through. The first three vehicles sped off without stopping however they stopped near the village community hall on seeing the Major stop his vehicle, which is a few metres away from where the villagers are standing.

The villagers did not force the military convoy to stop.

The fourth vehicle carrying Major Surinder Singh and the last vehicle stopped where the villagers stood. The village leaders requested the Major who was well acquainted with them, if it were possible for the Major to handover the body to which the Major expressed his inability. So they requested the Major to at least take the coffin for the dead bodies to which the Major agreed. The conversation lasted for about two minutes when they started hearing gunshots from the direction of the AR truck near the Community hall which was followed by indiscriminate firing from the vehicle of the Major and the last vehicle behind the Major’s vehicle. Aso and Tiizali were killed from the bullets of the Jawans who fired from the Major’s vehicle, according to the eye witnesses. The villagers have also stated that the shots fired by the Jawans were not blank firing but aimed directly at the civilians. The firing lasted for about 20 minutes, we have been told.

Bullet marks are seen in the houses and trees in the whole stretch. The villagers have collected around 140 empty shells. Witnesses have claimed that there could be much more empty cases inside the AR vehicles as the maximum number of gunshots was fired inside the vehicle.

A civilian non-villager who happened to be at the site of the incident at that point in time witnessed the entire incident. He was by the site of the Community Hall next to the Army Maruti Gypsy vehicle where he witnessed the first gunshot being fired from the Assam Rifles Gypsy, he stated.

Accounts of Witnesses

Aso

Aso, 13, a class VII student of GHS Pholary, was the youngest child in her family. Aso is said to be a promising student. Her own grandfather was killed by the Indian Army in the 1960s during the battle of Thuda Phor. She was inside her relative’s house when the jawans fired. The bullet hit right below her armpit and came on the other side of her body.

Tüzali

Tiizali, 14 years and Class 7 student of GHS Pholary belonged to the neighboring village Phor, which is a walking distance from Wuzu village. Tiizali was with his three other friends right above the road when the shooting started. His friends escaped but he was shot in the chest and the skull.

Esther Jorror

The fact finding team visited Esther Jorror, 24 years old, on July 19 at the Community Health Centre of Meluri. Esther was shot in the right arm by the Assam Rifles. She was carrying her one year and five months old baby when she heard the firing. She ran inside the house of Yichiili for cover but was shot in the arm while running for cover. It is the same house where Aso was killed. Esther saw Aso being shot. Esther’s husband Ritu Jorror was also at the spot and is an eye witness to the firing by Assam Rifles.

The NSF and NPMHR Fact- finding team has taken pictures of the bullet marks in each houses which were shot. The Assam Rifles has claimed that the NSCN K had shot from the hilltops but the bullet marks and eye witness evidences indicates that the Assam Rifles shot directly at the civilians and the houses.

The Team called on Maj. Surinder Singh of the 46 AR C Coy at his camp at Akhegwo Post. In course of the interaction, he admitted that he was not sure who shot the students in the village. He further told the Team to contact his superiors, particularly the IGAR, on the matter. The Team also noticed a group of Para Commando personnel of the Indian Army with their strange looks and unusual uniform. Maj. Surinder Singh also revealed that the assault team comprised of personnel from the Para Commando personnel of the Indian Army along with the jawans from the Assam Rifles under his command. He also admitted that he had an Officer senior to him and some other Junior Commissioned Officers at the spot where the students were murdered. On being queried how he could claim that the NSCN (K) had killed the students, he responded that he was not sure and requested the team to contact the IGAR (N). This is particularly interesting because it is ascertained that there was no presence of the cadres of the NSCN (K) in the vicinity. If the Major himself who was present at the incident of July 16 is not sure, then how can the IGAR (N) be so sure in there press statements that the two students were killed by the NSCN (K)?

Boveio Poukai Duo, General Secretary, Naga Students’ Federation (NSF)
Vibi Yhokha, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR)
Dated: July 21, 2015

Read more / Original news source: http://kanglaonline.com/2015/07/indias-war-on-naga-peoples-wuju-firing/

Big hearts for big political concessions, time for pragmatism and not for losing our marbles!

By Oken Jeet Sandham Delhi’s Interlocutor to Naga peace talks RN Ravi’s attending the 26th General Conference of the Naga Students Federation (NSF) on May 14 at Khonoma is

By Oken Jeet Sandham

Delhi’s Interlocutor to Naga peace talks RN Ravi’s attending the 26th General Conference of the Naga Students Federation (NSF) on May 14 at Khonoma is historic in many ways. First, he is the envoy of the Government of India to the Naga political negotiations. Two, his attending the 26th General Conference of the NSF at a birthplace of legendary Naga freedom fighter AZ Phizo is significant. Third, his coming to Nagaland softens the rigid stand of the Naga people who were initially opposed to his appointment as “Delhi’s Interlocutor” to the Naga peace talks.

Ravi is not new to the Naga political history. He retired as Intelligence Bureau (IB) Special Director in 2012 and soon after BJP-led NDA came to power at the Center last year, his appointment as Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) for a period of three years was approved. Surprisingly, within a week of his appointment as JIC Chairman, he has been appointed as Delhi’s “interlocutor” to the Naga peace talks.

Ravi knows internal security issues and nitty-gritty of the northeast insurgencies. And as he was chief of the premier intelligence club of the country, his primary job was to brief the Prime Minister of many vital issues, particularly security related matters, of the country.

Even Shyamall Datta, before becoming as Governor of Nagaland, used to attend even the meetings of the Center-NSCN (IM) because he was chief of IB. He was busy setting things right for smooth discussion of the NSCN-IM and the Government of India. He was present in number of talks between the leaders of the outfit and the representatives of the Government of India held at various parts of the world. Sending him right after his retirement from the IB as Governor of Nagaland by the then NDA Government under the Prime Ministership of Atal Behari Vajpayee was mainly to help expedite the ongoing peace process and see the grounds for strengthening the process and create peaceful environment. And it was no wrong choosing a high profiled man who had vast knowledge on the country’s issues and problems to become Governor of Nagaland. It was rare having such a man who had the knowledge of the Naga issue as Governor, although he, as Governor, might have limited role to play but when he himself knew the subject of the ongoing peace process, it carried sense and those players in the theater could not undermine him.

Ravi was, however, critical of the Naga insurgents and peace process as could be seen from his past write-up which became the sore point compelling Naga civil societies to initially oppose to his appointment as “Delhi’s Interlocutor to Naga peace talks.” Pressures were mounted on the Government to such an extent that the Home Ministry had even forwarded a fresh proposal to replace him but it was turned down by the PMO. The rest is history.

But seeing his mind on the current Naga peace process after he spoke out at the 26th General Conference of the NSF at Khonoma and afterwards to media persons, he is rather in a tangle. Whatever he said was on the expected lines. Nothing new! Nothing extra! The least the people expected from his visit, of course, was that he would endorse Prime Minister Modi’s assurance of “time frame” for settling the Naga political issue in 18 months. This remark of the Prime Minister was even quoted on few occasions none other than by Nagaland Chief Minister TR Zeliang.

Although the Nagas were stunned by Modi when he did not utter a single word on Naga issue while delivering his historic inaugural speech at the “Hornbill Festival” onDecember 1 last year at Kisama and the day was also coincided with the “Nagaland Statehood Day Celebration,” many simply thought that since he already had assured a “time frame” of solution to the Naga issue within 18 months, he might not have felt it necessary to mention in such an event. Even Zeliang was taking that way.

To me, precious time has been wasted on unnecessary issues. If there is a hindrance, then it has to be resolved. We have seen enough that confrontational attitudes have not worked while searching solution to the political issue. Such attitudes have only bred unpolitical problems compounding more to the issues. The Government of India has also failed to exploit the unprecedented positive outcomes generated by FNR’s consistent efforts. In fact, who could believe that members of the NSCN rival factions would form one team to play soccer against a team of Naga civil societies? Who could believe that the members of the NSCN rival factions would happily mingle with one another and have pleasant discussions across the table? The Naga people’s crying for “unity and reconciliation” is more than their yearning for “solution” to the Naga issue. For they know that without unity and reconciliation, no permanent and tangible solution will come about.

Many retired top Indian bureaucrats had already served as Delhi’s Interlocutor to Naga peace talks. Former Nagaland Chief Secretary RS Pandey, after his retirement from the Central Government, was also appointed as Interlocutor by previous Congress-led UPA Government. Although he placed his concept of “shared sovereignty” to solve the Naga issue, he was still cautious of giving any “time frame.”

Anyway, Modi is the only Indian Prime Minister who assured a “time frame” for the settlement of Naga issue. He is also the first Indian Prime Minister who did not utter a single word on the Naga issue while visiting Nagaland during “Hornbill Festival” last year.

Modi, BJP leader, is undoubtedly the most powerful Prime Minister with 282 BJP MPs in Lok Sabha, crossing half-mark of Parliament strength, besides allies joining his Government. And when he announced a “time frame” of resolving the Naga political issue with this strength, nobody disbelieved him.

The settlement of the Naga issue demands a “political will” from a strong Prime Minister backed by a strong Government. If all his actions right after becoming the Prime Minister are to be taken, he appears to be straight. Yet, his knowledge to the long-drawn out Naga political history appears to be not very deep.

But, what is “political will”? It not just the Prime Minister takes decision on certain issue but it is how he politically presents his political blueprint with realistic political approach to the issue for the benefit of its intention, usually for the public welfare. And before any such step being planned, he has to examine the outcomes from the process being presented by his Interlocutor and the Representatives from the other party.

It is really complicated but we need big hearts for big political concessions if we prefer “political will” for settlement of the “complex Naga political issue” once and for all. Time for pragmatism and not for losing our marbles!