Joint Legislators Forum of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly team to press Centre, militant groups to expedite Naga peace process

Kohima: The Joint Legislators Forum of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (JLF-NLA) on Thursday constituted a joint team comprising elected legislators from both the ruling and opposition benches in order to meet the negotiating parties of Naga political dialogue, the government of India and the rebel groups, as well as various political parties, to apprise them of the 'voice of the House' and to urge upon them to expedite the ongoing peace process.
Members of the joint team include chief minister Neiphiu Rio, speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie, leader of the opposition Tokheho Yepthomi, NPF ministers Shurhozelie, Imkong L Imchen, T R Zeliang, M C Konyak, Chumben Murry, Kuzholuzo Nienu, G Kaito Aye and P Longon, Congress MLAs and NPCC president S I Jamir, Chingwang Konyak, I Imkong, H Chuba and both members of Parliament Khekiho and C M Chang.
The committee was constituted following a four-point resolution adopted in the closed-door meeting of the JLF-NLA, convened under the convenorship of speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie at the assembly conference hall on Thursday.
The resolution strongly appeal to the negotiating parties of the Indo-Naga peace process, especially the Centre, to expedite the political dialogue so that an early negotiated settlement can be arrived at.
The JLF also put on record that all 60 members of the house, cutting across party lines, have come together under a joint forum in the greater interest of the Naga society by responding to the cry of the people and have worked collectively in facilitating the peace process. It further declared the resolve and commitment of all 60 members to pave the way for an alternative arrangement that may come about from the logical conclusion of the ongoing peace process.
Meanwhile, the Joint Forum has extended its sincere appreciation to the civil society, church, NGOs and mass-based organizations for their tireless effort towards forging understanding and reconciliation among all sections of the Naga society under the banner of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR). The civil society, church and FNR represent the voice of the people, who are longing for peace and solution of the Indo-Naga political problem, it said.
The legislators also reiterated their appreciation for underground organizations for making sacrifices in the Naga political movement and for responding to the call of the people for reconciliation by signing the Covenant of Reconciliation and the Naga Concordant.