Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, OCT 21 (NPN): Naga Youth Movement (NYM), formerly known as “Fed Up Nagas”, has announced plans to stage a sit-in dharna at Lok Bhavan on October 28, alleging that the governor has failed to respond to its representations seeking implementation of the Framework Agreement (FA) and the Agreed Position (AP).
Addressing a press conference here Wednesday, NYM member T Molung Naga said the movement had submitted a memorandum to the governor on July 8, followed by an ultimatum setting October 8 as the deadline. With no response received, a second representation was submitted on October 13, setting October 21 as the fresh deadline.
He said the decision to stage the sit-in was taken after both representations failed to elicit a response.
Molung added that NYM had also sought an appointment with the governor, but the request was declined.
He questioned why the representations had not been acknowledged and why the implementation of the FA and AP remained pending, leaving the Naga people uncertain about the political settlement.
Alleging that the lack of response raised questions about the governor’s willingness to help resolve the Naga political issue, he appealed to Nagas from other districts and states to join the dharna and collectively seek answers from the governor.
NYM member Kuhoto Naga clarified that the movement was seeking only the implementation of the FA and AP signed between the Naga political groups (NPGs) and the Government of India.
He said the movement was not against any organisation or faction and questioned whether demanding implementation of the agreements was wrong.
Maintaining that a political solution was essential for the future of the Naga people, particularly the younger generation, Kuhoto urged the public not to misunderstand the movement’s position, saying it was standing up for the rights of the Naga people, which he described as “long overdue”. He contended that a solution would not be achieved by remaining at home and waiting for others to act. “We are suffering because we are not questioning for our rights,” he said, questioning how many generations of Nagas would have to pass before the issue was resolved.
Kuhoto stressed that the October 28 sit-in would be peaceful and aimed at seeking answers from the governor rather than engaging in confrontation. He also appealed to participants to bring their own water bottles and tiffin, stating that the protest was not sponsored by any organisation.
Asked about the continued delay in implementing the agreements, NYM member Hiketo Naga suggested that the presence of multiple factions could be one reason for the impasse. He also raised the possibility that some signatories to the agreements might be unwilling to pursue a settlement.
Another member, Ninoto Naga, said two agreements had been signed but alleged that some individuals might be reluctant to accept changes that could affect their existing positions and interests.
“One want solution, the other does not. The reason why one does not want solution is because they are very comfortable with the current situation. If any changes come, it will be like a blow to their stomach or that their kingdom will be affected,” he said.
Ninoto maintained that Nagaland was big enough for all Nagas and called for fairness in any settlement, arguing that no one should take from another’s plate when their own was full.
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