Major change foreseen in Nagas’ stand

New Delhi: The underground Nagas may accept “some status” within the Indian Union.

Two representatives are now preparing to leave for London to seek Phizo’s blessing to a settlement which may mean internal autonomy with proper safeguards for Nagaland.

Phizo, now in America, has reportedly informed the undergrounds that he would fly to London to meet the two representatives and then return to New York after having talks with them.

At the undergrounds’ last meeting with Prime Minister Indira Gandhi the details of internal autonomy with “proper safeguards” were not spelled out. But the undergrounds got the impression that their aspiration to have unfettered autonomy as well as a Greater Nagaland would be respected.

Now that the underground Nagas cannot take decision on their own, they want unity in their ranks and also make Phizo, who still remains the President of the political wing of the movement, equally responsible.

Some time back Phizo was conveyed the opinion of the underground Nagas that delay in reaching settlement with the Government of India was causing frustration among the masses and the tempo of the Naga movement was waning.

He was frankly told that T.N. Angami’s ascendency had eroded the popularity of the undergrounds specially in the Angami areas. Furthermore, Hokeshi Sema, finance minister, was said to control a powerful Sema group.