We Are Reaching Out to All Underground Groups

Shurhozelie Liezietsu, 81, took oath as the chief minister of Nagaland on February 22, three days after his predecessor, T.R. Zeliang, was forced to step down amid protests by tribal organisations against the state government’s decision to reserve 33 per cent seats in urban local bodies for women.

- Namrata Biji Ahuja

In his first extensive and exclusive interview since taking charge, Liezietsu told THE WEEK that his government was not in conflict with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (IsakMuivah), the insurgent group that runs a parallel government in Hebron, a small region deep in the Naga jungle. Dominated by Baptist Christians, Hebron is the headquarters of the NSCN(IM). THE WEEK’s exclusive cover story on the secret Naga state (‘Bullets and the Bible’, April 23) had caught the attention of authorities, including the Nagaland government.

Liezietsu said he wanted an “early political solution” to the insurgency. He opened up about a host of issues, including the status of the framework peace accord signed by the Union government and the NSCN(IM) in 2015, and how the state government, led by the Naga People’s Front (NPF, of which he is chairman), was trying to reach out to all underground groups.

How committed is the Nagaland government to bringing about an “early solution” to the problem?

It has been the avowed stand of the NPF-led DAN [Democratic Alliance of Nagaland] government that the protracted Naga political problem should be resolved without further delay, since it has been hampering the development of the state. We have had enough bloodshed and violence. It is our sincere endeavour that the problem be resolved in our lifetime and not be handed down to the younger generation. We want posterity to march ahead with the rest of the world as proud equals.

The people are getting impatient, as hopes had risen with the signing of the framework agreement in 2015.