Carrying blue flags, thousands of Nagas marched in Delhi on Saturday to demand an “immediate political solution” to the Naga issue lingering on for decades.
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This was the first time that such a large mobilisation of Naga residents had taken place in Delhi after August 2015, when the government signed an agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah), the largest group representing the Nagas.
A press statement issued by the group said, “The BJP has no merit to campaign for support among the Nagas in the upcoming 2019 general election unless there is a concrete promise for a solution.”
The solution should be “honourable and acceptable” to them, they said.
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The Naga peace accord, which has been hanging fire since a framework agreement was signed with the NSCN-IM in 2015, is tied in knots.
The rally was organised by the Naga Student Union Delhi (NSUD) in collaboration with the Naga community in Delhi under the theme ‘Global Nagas call for immediate political solution — honourable and acceptable”.
After signing an agreement with the NSCN-IM, the Centre signed a preamble in November 2017 with six Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) to further hold discussions to find a solution to the issue.
The protesters were carrying banners which said, “PM Modi pass an ordinance to solve Indo-Naga issue within stipulated time. PM Modi, where is the promised solution?”
Around 3,000 Naga residents converged at Mandi House and later marched towards Jantar Mantar.