GUWAHATI: Representatives of the 14 indigenous groups of Nagaland have categorically rejected the proposed Pan Naga Hoho (PNH) in its present form, saying that the statutory body with financial and advisory powers would “demean the state’s authority” and hence “unacceptable without territorial integration”.
The leaders of the indigenous groups shot off a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, expressing concern, as the prime stakeholders of the state, over the proposed PNH, “premeditated in the Naga peace talks to be constituted by an Act of Parliament.”
“Integration of all the Naga-inhabited areas is our demand but since the agreement is for granting only autonomous councils to Nagas in Manipur and Arunachal; and regional councils to Nagas in Assam, then to have a PNH with statutory powers and advisory (authority) over developmental activities of the state of Nagaland will only amount to demeaning the authority of the state,” the representatives stated in the letter to the Prime Minister.
“We have time and again made it clear that we will not accept mere population integration without territorial integration. Hence the concept of PNH with sweeping powers and that too through an act of Parliament cannot be accepted by us. We are aware that existence of such a statutory body with financial and advisory authority will lead to unnecessary interference into the functioning of the state and its people who are the absolute custodians of our traditional land,” the letter read.
“We therefore make ourselves clear once and for all that the proposed PNH, in its present form, is unacceptable to us without territorial integration,” they stated.
The Naga leaders urged the Prime Minister to protect the territorial integrity of Nagaland and ensure fortification of Article 371-A that no future Act of Parliament would dilute the provisions enshrined under Article 371-A.
“We further urge your dynamic and magnanimous leadership to initiate an immediate finalisation to the peace negotiation of the Naga political issue as assured by the government of India,” the leaders stated.