Connect with us
Tuesday,23-June-2026
Breaking News

Politics

‘Take it or leave it moment for NSCN-IM’, says key Nagaland leader Azo Nienu

Published

on

As things move towards a possible realisation that there has been enough delay and now time to settle for a pragmatic solution and peace, a key Naga legislator Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu says by inking the 2015 Framework Agreement, the potent NSCN (IM) group had “sealed their fate” and virtually endorsed the Constitution of India.

“The moment the NSCN-IM signed the August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement…sealed their fate vis-a-vis Constitution of India. It was signed by interlocutor R.N. Ravi on behalf of the Government of India and in other words this pact is itself within the framework of Indian Constitution,” Azo Nienu.

He explained, “if it was already within the Indian Constitution, one thing is certain Naga Sovereignty is ruled out”.

It also rules out other demands like ‘integration’ of all Naga contiguous areas and also a separate Flag.

In this context, he said the Core Committee of Nagaland state legislators and ministers — Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Deputy CM Yanthungo Patton, former CM T.R. Zeliang and he as NPF legislature party leader would meet at Kohima on Wednesday (May 25) and workout future plans and strategies to meet NSCN-IM leaders and convince them to see reason and accept an early Solution.

Former Nagaland Chief Minister S.C. Jamir has also recently maintained that it ought to be understood properly that all ‘agreements’ made by the Government of India with both the groups, NSCN-IM and NNPG, have to be “incorporated in the Constitution of India”.

“When things are so clear, so my moot point is in the Naga spirit, I think they (Naga underground leaders) should adhere to the signature they have appended willingly and knowingly in the agreement,” Jamir.

Notably, on May 20, the NSCN-IM stated in a press release in Dimapur that — “We understand the pressing situation where people are over burdened with multiple factions and taxations and which can only see the end once early Naga solution materializes”.

It also asserted that it would be erroneous to imply that the NSCN-IM is opposed to an “early solution”.

Recent developments have rekindled hope of an early Solution and more so as elections in Nagaland are due by Feb-March 2023.

Azo Neinu also said in the given context, the stance taken by the Government of India is to be appreciated as they have decided to allow the use of the Naga flag for cultural programmes.

“In fact, the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) or Home Minister (Amit Shah) are willing to visit Nagaland and also hoist the Naga flag for any cultural event. I must appreciate as a regional politician often taking a stance against BJP but I can tell you, the Government of India has also gone all out to accommodate the request and demand of Naga leaders”.

Therefore, he said, it is high time — “for NSCN-IM to say whether they take it or leave it”.

The NPF legislature party leader said his party wants an early solution and also passed a resolution on the issue in a meeting at Kohima on Tuesday (May 24).

Sources say during separate meetings with peace emissary A.K. Mishra and one key NSCN-IM leader in Delhi recently, the Core Committee led by Chief Minister Rio also made it clear that a solution to the long pending Naga issue is a must to end a culture of intimidation and extortion in Nagaland.

On this, Azo clarified further — “We told them how long can Nagas continue with extortion?”

In fact, the extortion menace is almost a mini industry for the disgruntled elements in Nagaland and Naga inhabited areas.

Earlier this year, Assam Rifles DG, Lt. Gen. P.C. Nair had also said that wherever AFSPA was diluted or withdrawn, the areas saw ‘rise in extortion’.

In fact, even NSCN-IM and other Naga groups under NNPG have also expressed concerns about extortion in the past.

In an election campaign speech in Naga-dominated Senapti in Manipur, Chief Minister Rio also had spoken against extortion virtually echoing the concerns flagged off by former Nagaland Governor R.N. Ravi.

Rio had said in February this year, “There should be no violence in our society…. There should be no extortion,” and went on to add, “The burden is too much.”

“Burden is so much on the common people. We have to seriously think, otherwise there is no future”.

It is worth mentioning that the NSCN-IM has convened a key meeting of all its key leaders and regional representatives on May 31 to decide on the fate of Naga peace talks which had begun during the stint of I.K. Gujaral as Prime Minister in 1997.

It is expected the Core Committee of state legislators led by CM Rio will also meet NSCN-IM top guns including general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah by May 28-29 or before May 31.

R.N. Ravi as the interlocutor and Nagaland Governor had made significant contributions in the peace process.

In fact, Azo says, “Even NSCN-IM leaders maintain that to an extent the offer from Ravi for Naga Territorial Councils in Naga inhabited areas of Manipur and other Northeastern states was a good offer. It was perhaps better than what present emissary A.K. Mishra is making it now”.

“Ravi had proposed that central funds would be provided directly to the territorial councils; but in new methodology, the emissary (Mishra) has said funds would be routed through respective state governments. This discontentment too will be hopefully addressed now,” Azo added.

(Nirendra Dev is a New Delhi-based journalist. He is also author of books, “The Talking Guns: North East India” and “Modi to Moditva: An Uncensored Truth”. Views are personal.)

Maharashtra

Uproar in Maharashtra Assembly over Triple Talaq and Uniform Civil Code, Sana Malik demands implementation of Quran and Sharia

Published

on

Mumbai: A ruckus broke out in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly when the debate on triple talaq and the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) was underway. During this, NCP Ajit Pawar group leader and MLA Sana Malik aggressively said that polygamy is not common only among Muslims, it is common in other religions as well. Only Muslims are being targeted. On this, the BJP created a ruckus and said that the country will run according to the Constitution and not the Quran or Sharia.

On the second day of the monsoon session of the Legislative Assembly, the ruling and opposition MLAs clashed over the highly sensitive issues of ‘triple talaq’, polygamy and ‘Uniform Civil Code’ (UCC). BJP MLA Devyani Frande raised the question of Uniform Civil Code while NCP (Ajit Pawar group) MLA Sana Malik took an aggressive stance. Devyani demanded the implementation of UCC here. Call for attention notice
BJP MLA Devyani raised the issue of triple talaq. “Due to triple talaq and polygamy, great injustice is being done to Muslim women. Only Pakistan is committed to polygamy, but it is not like that in India. When will the state government implement the Uniform Civil Code?” Asked this question, Minister of State for Home Yogesh Kadam gave details about the formation of a committee for the UCC and said that the government’s position is clear on this, the state government is working positively on the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC). The Chief Minister has also prepared a legal draft and has decided to set up a committee under the chairmanship of a retired High Court judge. After its report comes, steps will be taken to implement the UCC. Once the UCC is implemented, it will be equally applicable to every citizen of the country. Therefore, there will be a ban on polygamy and the number of marriages.

A Muslim follows the Quran and Sunnah and is bound by Sharia.

MLA Sana Malik, while participating in the debate, took an aggressive stance and said that Muslims follow the Quran, Sunnah and Sharia and gave a firm reply to the BJP and said that the BJP and its members say that such and such a law is in force in Pakistan, then Pakistan is not doing anything unique. It adheres to the Quran and Hadith. It implements only the teachings of the Quran. Therefore, I demand that the teachings of the Quran be followed here too. Do only Muslim men marry more than one person? Polygamy exists in other religions. The difference is that only in the Muslim religion there are uniform rules and regulations for polygamy. Sana Malik said, “Talaq Hassan and ‘Talaq Ahsan’ are the types that we follow. But ‘Talaq Bid’at’ itself is a separate cultural practice, it is not mentioned anywhere in the Quran. That is why it did not exist in India, so the government abolished it. To which Muslims have no objection because Muslims do not believe in talaq bid’at. BJP members were furious over Sana Malik’s statement on the implementation of the Quran and many members also objected to it. Several members told Sana Malik, “Don’t lecture us on the Quran. This country will not run on the Quran but on the Constitution of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Meanwhile, when Sana Malik was opposed in the House and the BJP created a ruckus over her outburst, Nationalist Congress (Sharad Pawar group) state president Jayant Patil supported Sana’s stand and said that it is the tradition of the House that if someone expresses their opinion, they should be given freedom of expression. Whether Sana Malik’s advice is liked or not, her language is not at all correct. I support Sana Malik’s stand.

In the Monsoon session, an ideological conflict and disagreement has emerged between the ruling grand alliance on the issue of ‘Uniform Civil Code’ (UCC) and ‘Triple Talaq’. On the one hand, the BJP and the Shinde group are raising the issue of Hinduism and the Constitution, while on the other hand, Muslim MLA Sana Malik is showing boldness in the House regarding Sharia and Islam and has responded to the BJP on Muslim issues with full force. The possibility of the conflict becoming more intense has now become clear. On the other hand, while addressing a press conference here, Nitish Rane also spewed venom against Muslims and said that this country will run on the constitution of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. He said that when this issue was being discussed in the House, it felt like we were sitting in the House of Karachi or Pakistan. He said that this is a Hindutva government. When asked whether Mahayoti MLA Sana Malik objected to the question related to the Uniform Civil Code and Muslim women in the House and said that only Muslim women are atrocities in Maharashtra, Nitish Rane said that we will support whoever raises the issue of Hindutva.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Chief Minister’s claim on various questions against drugs in Maharashtra Assembly, opposition walks out of the House

Published

on

On the second day of the Mumbai Maharashtra Assembly, the opposition walked out of the assembly and registered its absence from the work. On the other hand, during the question and answer session on public issues, the Chief Minister reiterated his determination to make Mumbai and Maharashtra free of drugs. Today, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis gave details on various questions asked against the drug mafia. Fadnavis made it clear that the government is determined to make Mumbai and Maharashtra free of drugs. The Chief Minister presented this information in the House today with statistics. The opposition objected. Serious allegations were made against the police. Chief Minister Fadnavis gave a detailed reply to this.

Drugs worth Rs 254 crore have been seized in the state in four months.
The government told the Assembly that drugs worth Rs 254 crore have been seized in the state in four months. From January to April 2026, 1,142 cases of drug possession were registered in the state. The government told the assembly that 1,626 accused have been arrested in the operation and drugs worth Rs 254.53 crore have been seized. The chief minister said that 3,199 cases have been registered against drug use.

All seven units of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) are working for anti-drug operations across the state, including Mumbai. In the year 2025, the ANTF and the police together destroyed drugs worth Rs 523.17 crore. Fadnavis said that the government has a ‘zero tolerance’ policy regarding drug smuggling and sale and strict action has also been directed against police officers and employees found guilty.
‘Drug-free Mumbai’ campaign.

The police have been found involved in large-scale drug recovery. Direct action should be taken against such police personnel. Sharad Pawar NCP leader Jayant Patil alleged that drugs are being supplied to us online. Meanwhile, leader Jitendra Ohad alleged that the drug racket is being run with the connivance of the police. We always discuss drugs in the House. No action is taken even when the police are informed about the places where drugs are sold. Sunil Prabhu alleged that drugs are being sold on the streets today. This is a serious crime in the state. What is the Narcotics Department doing? Jayant Patil demanded that our police be sent to those places where drugs are found at ports outside the state.

The government said that a high-level committee has been formed for the campaign and drug-free awareness. All the policemen found guilty in such cases have been dismissed. We have expanded the Narcotics Department. We are setting up a department in every police station. We are trying to assign good officers to the Anti-Narcotics Force. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that now every day narcotics details will be called. Drug lord Salim Dola has been arrested. The Chief Minister said that a factory has also been found in Sitara and it belongs to them. The Chief Minister praised the performance of the Mumbai Police and said that the Mumbai Police has destroyed drugs by going to different states. We have started programs in 3000 schools and colleges of Mumbai. We are running a campaign to live a drug-free life. The Chief Minister assured that we will give rewards to those who provide information about drugs and will ensure that the identity of the person is not revealed.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Mankhurd: Shivaji Nagar MLA Abu Asim was conferred with the ‘Life and Service Award’ in the ‘Mahatma Phule Award’

Published

on

Mumbai: Mankhurd-Shivaji Nagar MLA was conferred with the prestigious “Jeevan Guru Award” at the Mahatma Phule Samman ceremony held to mark the bicentenary of the birth of Father of the Nation Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phule. The award was conferred on him for his continuous services in the field of social justice and social service.

Accepting the award, the MLA said that this award is a great responsibility as well as a source of pride for him. Expressing gratitude to the committee for the bicentenary of the birth of the father of the nation, Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phule, he said, “I am deeply grateful to the committee for considering me worthy of this honour. I sincerely thank Kapil Patil ji, Dineshwar Maharao ji, Dr. Zaheer Qazi, Kapil Patil ji. I am also grateful to Abrahani Sahib and all the esteemed members associated with this organization.

Social justice and commitment to Phule Ambedkar’s ideology
Referring to the creation of a grand wall by Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phule, Kranti Jyoti Savitribai Phule and Fatima Sheikh in their assembly constituency Mankhurdshivaji Nagar, he said that this is a humble attempt to convey their great ideas to the masses. He said that we are fighting for the rights and justice of the backward and weaker sections by following the path of social justice, equality and brotherhood. We will continue to serve the society by considering their ideology as our guide.

Communal harmony
Expressing concern over the efforts to spread hatred in the society at this time, he said, “In such difficult times, we have to strengthen the country by following the path of Hindu-Muslim unity, mutual brotherhood and humanity shown by Mahatma Phule ji. This will be a true tribute to his struggle and ideals.”

He clarified that this award is not just an honor for him but an inspiration to work with more dedication for public service and social harmony.

It is noteworthy that other personalities who have rendered excellent services in the fields of journalism, literature, ideology, education and social fields were also honored at this prestigious event. The MLA expressed his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to all the dignitaries.

Continue Reading

Trending