Kohima: The Ex-Parliamentarians Association of Nagaland (Ex-PAN) has issued a strong call for the Central government to consolidate the two distinct agreements it has forged with Naga political factions into a singular, publicly accessible document.
This plea arose during the association’s general body meeting held in Dimapur on March 14, as revealed in a statement released by secretary Merentoshi R Jamir. The meeting, which addressed critical issues facing Nagaland, saw the adoption of three key resolutions.
Discussions during the gathering centered on the long-standing Naga political issue, the Free Movement Regime (FMR) and border fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border, and the construction of the ambitious Foothill Road project spanning over 350 kilometers.
Concerning the Naga political dialogue, the Ex-PAN emphasized that after more than seven decades of conflict and a decade of peace negotiations, the people of Nagaland yearn for development and progress comparable to other Indian states, free from ongoing disruptions.
The association further argued that the Central government’s Act East Policy can only achieve its full potential if lasting peace is established in the region. To this end, they pressed for the immediate disclosure of the competencies outlined in the Framework Agreement signed with the NSCN-IM in 2015.
Crucially, the Ex-PAN reiterated its demand for a unified draft encompassing both the 2015 Framework Agreement with NSCN-IM and the 2017 Agreed Position with the Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs), stating, “It is beyond high time for the Centre and the negotiating parties to solve the Naga political issue at the earliest.” On the issue of the FMR and border fencing, the association asserted the legitimacy of the Nagas’ desire to reside under a unified administrative structure.
They condemned the Central government’s decision to abolish the FMR and erect border fencing, labeling it as “against the will of the people and is wrong,” and urged the immediate restoration of the FMR and cessation of border fencing construction.
Finally, the Ex-PAN highlighted the urgent need for the Foothill Road, a project envisioned to connect Tizit in Mon district to Khel in Peren district. This road, they stressed, represents a long-held aspiration of the Naga people, promising to facilitate unimpeded travel within Nagaland without the necessity of traversing through neighboring Assam.
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