ITANAGAR, Aug 6: The Eastern Naga National Government (ENNG) has warned the people of Tirap, Changlang and Longding (TCL) districts, including the people’s representatives there, against attending the proposed meeting between the NSCN/GPRN (IM) and the union ministry of home affairs at Deomali in Tirap district on 9 August, saying the people of the three districts would otherwise have to face the consequences.
In a press statement, the ENNG said the Arunachal Naga Students’ Federation (ANSF) invited the people’s representatives of the three districts, along with civil society groups, NGOs, student leaders, ministers and MLAs of the region to attend the meeting, which the ENNG said compelled it to issue the “warning letter.”
“Any individuals or representatives of their respective communities, welfare societies, NGOs, organization, student forums, ministers or MLAs whoever violate or defy this standing order, he/she shall bear the responsibility, and the serious action will be taken without further warning,” a press statement from the ENNG said.
The letter, a copy of which was made available to this daily, said the NSCN (IM)’s integration demand has nothing to do with the people of Arunachal.
“That has nothing to do with the people of Arunachal Nagas. It is crystal clear from the government of India that they (NSCN-IM) had accepted the Constitution of India to remain under Article 371(A) and within Nagaland,” the ENNG said.
It alleged that ever since the infiltration of the NSCN(IM) into the Arunachal Naga areas in 2002, “our people had suffered a lot due to their atrocities.”
“The Nagas living in Tirap, Changlang, and Longding districts are fed up with their antisocial activities and they are having a zero tolerance now,” the press statement added.
Meanwhile, the ANSF claimed in a press release that it has proposed the meeting on 9 August following a meeting with central government officials.
“ANSF had invited both the representatives to elucidate the issue of framework agreement, which was signed on 3.8.2015 between NSCN/GPRN-IM and Govt of India recognizing the unique identity of the Nagas,” it said.
It said the programme was arranged for the people of Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts, so that they could witness the statements from both the representatives.
“The people of TCL, civil society representatives could have shared their opinions before the representatives,” it said.
The ANSF dismissed the claim that the proposed meeting was summoned by the NSCN (IM), saying the ENNG stated so in its warning letter.
“How can the NSCN (IM) summon the meeting?” the ANSF questioned.
“A proposal was submitted by ANSF to the government of India inviting them to hold a ‘fair and fruitful’ meeting with the people of TCL region. This programme was organized so that our people can realize and have knowledge about the peace process,” it said.
The ANSF also stated that the Naga people of Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts have their own right to decide. It said no one had the right to speak against the Naga people of Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts.
“The TCL region has suffered a lot in every front, including development since many decades. But no one has ever stood by the TCL people. ANSF is trying to organize the said programme for proper understanding of the peace process and to maintain peaceful environment in TCL region,” it added.
