IMPHAL, February 16: The joint team comprising of the Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) and Naga Hoho leaders who recently went to Myanmar to pursue NSCN Khaplang faction to once again come to the negotiating table with the Centre is optimistic in their initiative although there plan to meet the outfit’s chief, SS Khaplang, was not fruitful.
Speaking to IFP in an exclusive interview, Chuba Ozukum, the Naga Hoho president who was one of the delegates, said that although the meeting with SS Khaplang was not fruitful the Naga delegates reportedly conveyed its message about the desire of the Naga for peace, to Khapalang through his emissary.
He said that they are waiting for the response from the NSCN K chief, although specific time and date were not given by the outfit.
“We feel that this is not the end but the beginning and we have to pursue time and again and even willing to go meet Khaplang personally when he is ready to come forward”, divulged Chuba Ozukum.
The Naga Hoho president revealed that altogether eight members including 4 representatives each of the ENPO and Naga Hoho, were part of the delegate.
During their visit they were received by five Naga MPs of Myanmar, at their new capital Nyapyidaw wherein they shared the desire of the Naga for peace and development both in India and Myanmar, he said adding the meeting was very fruitful.
He further revealed that the Naga MPs not only assured to help them in meeting Khaplang, but also scheduled an appointment to meet Aung Min, a Union Minister and vice president of the National Cease Fire Agreement, Myanmar.
During the meeting with the Union Minister of Myanmar, the team also reiterated the desire to solve the political problem of the Naga with Myanmar and India, he said. Subsequently, the Minister assured to talk to his Myanmar authority especially based in Sagaing Division about the desire of the Nagas, he continued.
The Union Minister although paved way for the Naga leaders to meet Khaplang, unfortunately the meeting could not be fruitful as Khaplang reportedly could not leave his base, disclosed Chuba Ozukum.
Nevertheless, Khaplang reportedly sent his emissary at Mandalay wherein the Naga leaders submitted a written statement expressing the desire of the Naga, he claimed. “We expressed our desire that Naga wants peace, political solution and requested him to renew the cease fire and participate in the talk with both India and Myanmar”, he informed.
The emissary assured to pass on the message to Khaplang and give his response in the near future, Chuba Ozukum added.
According to him, the Nagas have been talking about the sovereignty and physical integration, which have claimed thousands of lives. Now the opportunity has come for Nagas everywhere to go for the best options left for the Nagas, held the Naga Hoho president.