Flags lack of political will and dilution of Indo-Naga issue
Dimapur, January 20 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) on Tuesday reiterated an apparent “lack of political will and sincerity” on the part of Indian leaders in bringing about an honourable and lasting solution to the Indo-Naga political issue.
The constant attempts to reduce the issue to a “mere domestic problem” pose a serious threat to the quest for an honourable and acceptable solution based on the mutually agreed Framework Agreement, it added.
The group maintained that for nearly three decades, the Indo-Naga political issue has been addressed through political dialogue between two entities, and therefore portraying them as “insurgents, rebels, terrorists, secessionists, etc.” are misnomers and do not address the core issue.
Such designations reflect immaturity and a double standard approach, it added.
To this end, reiterating its long-held position, the NSCN (IM) asserted that the Nagas were never part of a “consensual union” with India or Myanmar, and as such, the question of secession does not arise.
It described the conflict as one imposed through force and characterised the Naga movement as a “resistance movement” against expansionist forces and “Indian imperialism.”
The NSCN (IM) further claimed that despite decades of armed confrontation, internal divisions and development initiatives, the spirit of Naga nationalism has endured, as it is “deeply rooted in the strong foundation of their inherent right.”
While acknowledging that confrontation and negotiation are both dimensions of political conflict, it stated that it prefers dialogue, asserting that lasting solutions to global conflicts are achieved through political negotiations.
“We believe in a political solution. We are for a negotiated settlement,” the NSCN (IM) stated, citing its Ato Kilonser and Chief Negotiator, Th Muivah.
Referring to the signing of the Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015, the NSCN (IM) described it as a historic milestone, claiming that it recognises the unique history of Naga independence.
“Based on the universal principle of democracy, it was agreed that sovereignty lies with the people, and that the sovereignty of the Nagas is with the Naga people,” it pointed out.
There is no doubt about this, and the Government of India has recognised it, the group further maintained.
“However, both the parties agreed to the coexistence of the two entities (peoples/nations) sharing sovereign powers,” it added.
The NSCN (IM) also noted that the agreement acknowledged Naga ownership of land and resources and recognised the integration of all Naga areas as a legitimate right.
It further maintained that the agreement acknowledged Naga ownership of land and resources, and that the Government of India has “clearly” recognised the integration of all Naga areas as a “legitimate right.”
Hence, the NSCN (IM) described the Framework Agreement as the cornerstone of Indo-Naga relations and cautioned the Government of India against repeating what it termed past failed accords, warning that any attempt to impose peace without addressing the core political issues would prove costly.
The Framework Agreement is the end result of the commitments and assurances of the former seven Indian Prime Ministers and the present incumbent Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, it added.
