Newmai News Network
Senapati | August 3
On the tenth anniversary of the signing of the Framework Agreement between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM, the All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) on Saturday voiced concern over what it described as a decade without “any tangible solution to the protracted Indo-Naga political issue,” raising “serious questions and concerns in the minds of the public.”
The ANSAM, in a statement, said the Naga people had “wholeheartedly welcomed and are endorsing the August 3, 2015, Framework Agreement between the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM)” signed in New Delhi “ceremoniously in the presence of Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, accompanied by key leaders of the Government of India at the official residence of the Prime Minister, New Delhi, before the worldwide audience.”
“It gave the Nagas high hopes for an early and logical settlement of the Indo-Naga issue. Yet, ten years have passed without any tangible solution to the protracted Indo-Naga political issue, posing serious questions and concerns in the minds of the public,” the student body said.
While expressing appreciation to all the former Prime Ministers of India for their efforts to resolve the Indo-Naga political issue, ANSAM recalled the “unprecedented recognition” of the “unique history and situation of the Nagas” by the Government of India under then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2002. The recognition, it said, “demonstrated the seriousness and genuine concern for the settlement of the protracted violent conflicts in the Indian sub-continent.”
“This official recognition by the Government of India that ‘Nagas have the history of independence, that Nagas have neither been part of the Union of India nor that of Myanmar (Burma), nor any other powers either by consent or by conquest, and the situation and position of Nagalim is political, not a law and order problem’ stands as a landmark in the Indo-Naga peace process,” ANSAM stated. It said that the Naga people “have been steadfastly committed to the Indo-Naga peace process, reposing their faith in the successive leaders at the helm of the Government of India to resolve the issue amicably.”
ANSAM, however, expressed “deepest concern over the continued delay tactics and misplaced behavior of the Government of India in resolving the protracted Indo-Naga political issue” and questioned “the commitment and sincerity of the Indian leadership.”
It called upon the Government of India “to expedite the peace talk by restoring the process to the track to hammer out a logical conclusion in the true spirit of the ‘Framework Agreement’.”
Reiterating the significance of the political nature of the issue, the student body said, “The 28 years of political talks demands a logical conclusion with due recognition of Naga flag, constitution and integration as our inalienable rights.” It added, “Any agreement without ensuring these will not address the political aspirations of the Nagas as a people.”
“The Naga people are eagerly waiting for the wholesome and inclusive political solution for all the Nagas living in contiguous Naga areas,” the statement continued.
ANSAM concluded by calling upon “all the Naga people to remain vigilant, united, and steadfast in commitment towards the journey of Nagas' struggles to secure our rightful place by realizing the historical and political rights of the Nagas.”
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