By Oken Jeet Sandham
KOHIMA, Dec 12 (NEPS): The Supremo of the ruling Naga People’s Front (NPF) Dr Shurhozelie has not agreed to the idea of dragging Church in the so-called “Consultative Meet” to be held at the official residence of the State Assembly Speaker on Thursday.
It may be mentioned that in the last JLF Meeting held on Monday at Chumumedima Police Complex, the Members had decided to consult all political parties, civil societies and Church organizations to resolve the Naga political issue. Dr Shurhozelie could not attend the Meet.
Talking to NEPS here on Wednesday, the NPF Supremo did not buy the idea of dragging Church organizations in such “Consultative Meet” of the Naga political issue. “The Church workers are supposed to work in spiritual lines, whereas we are dealing hard politics. In my opinion, the Church should never be involved in such Meet,” he explained. “If we don’t differentiate and observe this, we are going wrong.”
Dr Shurhozelie, who is also Senior Minister in the DAN Ministry headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, however said they needed the goodwill services of the Church organizations. “We fully recognized and appreciated the services rendered by those Church leaders in the past,” he said. “But we should never drag them into such a position where hard politics is to be deliberated.”
Asked about the services of FNR towards the Naga political issue, the NPF Chief said the FNR was doing well but their services were not under the banner of the Church. “They are using different nomenclature, though their members are Church members,” he narrated.
Asked his party’s prospect in case they face election as scheduled, Dr Shurhozelie said, “It is too early to talk for election. It is no time to talk for election.”
“We are expecting some solution even now,” he hinted. “For me, I still feel that it is not right time to talk for election.”
It was, however, learnt that many people were preparing themselves to face election. “We can’t stop them,” he added.
The NPF Supremo also praised the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh for his sincerity towards finding solution to the Naga political issue. “I met him (Prime Minister) for two times with our JLF members and listened to him,” he revealed and further added that, “In my own judgement, he (Prime Minister) is sincere towards finding solution to the Naga political issue.”