36 delegates from 12 states of India recently turned up at NSCN’s Hebron headquarters to interact with the NSCN and expressed concern at the slow pace of Indo-Naga political dialogue, said NSNC (I-M).
TFM Desk
National Socialist Council of Nagalim or the NSCN (I-M) has unequivocally stated that it was “unthinkable” for the group to accept “Naga national flag as cultural flag” as hinted by government of India. “Naga National Flag that symbolizes Naga Political identity is not negotiable”, asserts NSCN (I-M).
An editorial piece and a small write-up in ‘Nagalim Voice’ says NSCN (I-M) was optimistic that “an agreement can be worked out soon taking on board the core issue of Naga national flag and constitution”.
NSCN (I-M) also says that when the high profile Framework Agreement was signed on August 3, 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi “went histrionic” as he called up all political leaders who mattered to announce that “he has solved the longest running insurgency movement in Southeast Asia”. “The world at large was however, not impress and waited to see how he will match his words with action acceptable to the Naga people. Today, NSCN is watching how the same Prime Minister of India is going to handle Framework Agreement with NSCN and Naga people that he himself took so much pride and credit”, said the outfit.
Peeved with the “habitual betraying nature” of the government of India after signing “agreement after agreement”, NSCN (I-M) stated, “Such was the depravity on the part of government of India that every good thing gained during the 25 years of Indo-Naga political talks is facing the risk of going down the drain”.
“The unfortunate development is tantamount to political blackmail”, says the outfit and asserted that it was “unnerved in the face of such brinkmanship”. NSCN (I-M) recalled that the Naga people had seen the political issue was defiled earlier on three occasions and it cannot allow defilement to take place for the fourth time.
AK Mishra’s visit
Following the “ignominious exit” of RN Ravi as government of India’s interlocutor to Indo-Naga political talks, AK Mishra was brought in to change the mode of talks that has gone stale after Ravi has proven himself to be “inept” in handling the sensitive Naga political issue, said NSCN (I-M).
During his last visit to Dimapur, Mishra reached out to NSCN (I-M) by visiting Hebron to have an informal talk with general secretary and chief negotiator Th Muivah. “As a gesture of extraordinary warmth and goodwill, Mishra was received by NSCN dignitaries led by Kilo Kilonser Daniel M Lotha and Steering Committee Convenor Ashiho Asoumai and red carpet was rolled out for him with a guard of honour as normally given to a head of state”.
CSOs from 12 states visit Hebron
Despite the “impasse-like situation” of the current negotiation between the government of India and NSCN (I-M), the outfit claims that it has “support and solidarity” from civil society organisations from across the country.
36 delegates from 12 states of India recently turned up at NSCN’s Council Headquarters (CHQ) and General Headquarters (GHQ) to interact with the NSCN and expressed concern at the slow pace of ongoing Indo-Naga political dialogue, said NSNC (I-M).
The outfit claimed that these delegates were well acquainted with the “legitimacy of Naga political movement” and were “aware of the notoriety of the government of India with the history of habitual betraying nature”.
“These groups stood with the Naga people for their rights, sovereignty and self-dignity”, claimed NSCN (I-M). Taking cognizance of the historical and political rights of the Naga people, these civil societies fully acknowledged the rights of the Nagas to retain their flag, the symbol of their national identity.
These civil society members from across the country came to Dimapur to attend ‘Save the peace’ conclave organized by the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR). The delegates comprised of representatives from Arunachal Naga Students’ Federation; Dal Khalsa, Punjab, All Sikh Students Federation, Punjab, Sikh Siyasat, Punjab; World Sikh News, Punjab; Panthak Tal Mail Sanganathan, Punjab; Panth Sewak Jatha, Punjab; Kashmir Human Rights; Jan Pahal, Madhya Pradesh; Adivasi Bachao, Madhya Pradesh; Kisan Mazdoor Chetna Sangathan, Madhya Pradesh; Socialist Party of India, Uttar Pradesh; Rihai Manch, Uttar Pradesh; Samajwati Chhatra Sabha, Delhi; National Front for Tribal Self-Rule, Delhi; Thamilar Nalam Periyakam, Tamil Nadu; Naam Tamilar Katchi, Tamil Nadu; Rashtra Janata Dal, Bihar, and Students for Resistance, Bihar.