Hope for early political solution
DIMAPUR, APRIL 16 (MExN): After a hiatus of sorts from the local media’s spotlight, convenor of the Ceasefire Monitoring Cell Phungthing Shimrang came out expressing optimism about the outcome of the current talks with the government of India.
“We want to see that solution come early”, said Shimrang a day after the ‘ato kilonser’ of the NSCN\GPRN, Th. Muivah, left for New Delhi. Shimrang stated this during an informal interaction with the local media at the CFMC office in Diphupar village on Thursday. He was however very cautious about making comments ‘which may create confusion in the minds of the people.’ “I cannot make comments beyond a certain point which is not meant to be said,” he said and that statements given by others should not be taken as official either.
Queried about the stand of the GoI on the ‘31 charter of demands’ put forth by the outfit, Shimrang said that the GoI has not disagreed on it and discussion is on. On its contents, he said that everyone is eager to know about the ‘charter’ but it is too premature to divulge anything as there are things beyond which he cannot brief.
He did say that ‘a separate constitution, flag, currency and army’ are some of the main demands of the ‘charter’.
On the efforts FNR he said that it is very encouraging though opined that it should not be confined to a certain area.
When queried whether there have been initiatives from any of the factions for consultations he replied in a diplomatic tone, that as chairman of the CFMC he has to.
“Let the future decide”, he said when he was asked what steps the organisation are taking in the face of dissent from the other Naga factions who are not willing to accept any solution brought from the side of the NSCN\GPRN.
Extortions and kidnapping, a bane of the economic progress of the Nagas, Shimrang said that he would like to see these kinds of anti-social activities rooted out, which are bringing a bad name to the Nagas as a whole.
