NSCN-IM alleges Centre backtracking from FA
DIMAPUR, 11th Oct:
A day after the latest round of peace talks with the Centre in New Delhi, NSCN-IM has accused the Centre of backtracking on its commitments and words with the purpose of nullifying the “hard-earned” Framework Agreement.
In an official statement on Friday, NSCN-IM said that it is deeply committed to the Framework Agreement, and it will stand by it at all costs in all events. It also said, “It is strongly opposed to imposition of one’s will on the other”. However, the statement did not elaborate regarding the latter line.
On October 10, the NSCN-IM team headed by its general secretary Th Muivah and the Government of India Interlocutor RN Ravi had resumed talks.
Sources said that both the parties dwelt on the issues of flag and constitution during the nearly day-long discussion. Since the October 10 talk was inconclusive, both parties agreed to meet again soon.
A well-placed source informed Newmai News Network that both the parties will hold the next round of talks as soon as possible.
In its official statement issued on Friday evening, NSCN-IM alleged that after 22 years long and intensive negotiations, the Government of India “has now started trying to twist and backtrack on their commitments and words so that the hard-earned Framework Agreement is nullified on any pretext”. The statement further said, “It is surprising to see that the Government of India is trying to hijack the outcome of the talks by using a section of people who are not mandated and do not represent the Naga people and Naga national issue.”
The statement then cautioned, “It should be understood that any proposed solution that betrays the Naga national issue will be but repetition of the past mistakes.”
“We are sure it will be a great loss for both the two parties if we miss this finest opportunity. After all, the truth never dies. No power in history has ever destroyed it,” it added.
According to NSCN-IM, recognising the reality that the case of Nagas is political, and not that of law and order problem of India, talks between Government of India and NSCN led to the signing of the cease-fire agreement on August 1, 1997.
“In the subsequent talks, the Government of India recognised the unique history and situation of the Nagas on July 11, 2002, which means that Nagas have never been a part of Union of India nor that of Burma either by conquest of the two powers or by consent of Nagas,” the statement said.
Basing on the “recognised unique history and situation of Nagas”, the Gov ernment of India and NSCN-IM signed the historic Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015, NSCN-IM stated, while adding that the BJP government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi took bold and positive step where it recognises the sovereignty of Nagas. Keeping with the universal principle of democracy, sovereignty of Nagas lies with the Naga people, it added.
