Members of Fed-Up Nagas during a press conference at Oak House, Dimapur on June 4. (Morung Photo)
Demands implementation of October 31, 2019 agreement
Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 4
‘Fed-Up Nagas,’ describing itself as a youth movement, has announced a peaceful public rally in Dimapur on June 27 to collectively demand the implementation of the agreements signed between the Naga Political Groups and the Government of India.
Addressing a press conference at Oak House on June 4, committee member Mughali Naga said the proposed rally was not directed against any individual, organisation or tribe.
“Today, youth are sitting at home, there are no opportunities, and all families are struggling. If the agreement is implemented, companies will come, factories will come, jobs will come,” she said, urging citizens, youth organisations, civil society groups and churches to participate in the rally.
Clarifying the nature of the movement, Atoke Naga said Fed-Up Nagas was “not an organisation, not a political party, and does not belong to any tribe, faction or individual.”
“It is a youth movement born out of frustration. This is a people’s movement. It’s your movement and my movement,” he said, adding that the group seeks implementation of the Framework Agreement of 2015 and the Agreed Position of 2017.
He said prolonged delays in implementing the agreements had created uncertainty, contributing to youth migration, limited economic opportunities and growing public frustration.
“An entire generation has grown up hearing about negotiations, talks, agreements and promises. Yet many people are still asking the same question their parents asked years ago: ‘When will implementation happen?’” he remarked.
Atoke maintained that the movement’s message was “peaceful, democratic and sincere,” centred on accountability and implementation of the signed agreements. He also called on Naga youth to remain politically aware and engaged, stating that “the greatest danger facing our generation is indifference.”
Appealing to Naga leaders and stakeholders, he urged them to rise above differences and work towards a collective decision in the interest of the people. He also appealed to the Government of India to honour its commitments and move towards implementation of the agreements.
Echoing similar sentiments, T Molung Naga questioned why the agreements signed with the Government of India had not yet been implemented despite negotiations having concluded.
“We are not here for personal benefit. We are here to raise our voice for the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position. If we sit at home, who will build our Nagaland?” he addressed.
Responding to a query, Kuhoto Naga said the committee had not yet met the state government or cabinet members but remained open to discussions. He said the movement was engaging with various stakeholders and wanted to ensure that all parties were “on the same page.”
On concerns regarding ongoing demands for a new interlocutor, Idizeung Naga argued that the focus should remain on implementation rather than further negotiations.
“A signed agreement was already executed on October 31, 2019. What the youth is asking for is not another agreement, we are simply asking for implementation,” he held.
He asserted that the movement was a “public movement” cutting across tribal and organisational lines and urged Nagas to “come out of the box of tribal thinking.”
Addressing speculation over the movement’s motives, Idizeung said Fed-Up Nagas had no hidden agenda or political sponsorship. He claimed the committee had received encouragement from various concerned citizens, village leaders, elders and civil society members.
Regarding funding, he said the movement was committee-based and operated largely through voluntary contributions and personal resources of its members. He assured that financial transparency would be maintained.
Responding to questions about the movement’s future course, Atoke said the June 27 rally would be followed by a memorandum to the Government of India and a time-bound appeal for action.
Kuhoto added that the rally would seek broad public participation and that the movement would decide its next course of action after submitting the memorandum.
Asked whether the movement would eventually expand its focus to issues such as corruption, Kuhoto said its immediate and sole objective remained the implementation of the signed agreements.
“Right now, we have only one sole objective. To ask the Government of India to implement the signed agreement,” he said.
The organisers reiterated that the June 27 rally would be peaceful and open to all Nagas, reiterating that it was not directed against any tribe, organisation or individual, but was aimed at securing implementation of the signed agreements and safeguarding the future of the Naga people. At present, the committee has around 80 members and more than a thousand supporters.
