Dimapur, December 11 (MExN): The Naga Rising today acknowledged that Naga inhabited areas are geographically “contiguous wherever they exist—in Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh or Myanmar—and Nagas have been living side by side since time immemorial.”
Against the backdrop of the demand for ‘Greater Nagalim’ or integration of Naga areas becoming the “subject of intense media and public scrutiny, including by our neighbours,” it said that “Land without borders” has been the unique case of Naga geography.
Noting that there is historical basis to present claims, it however stated that the aspiration of the Naga people to come under a single umbrella is “perhaps one of the most misunderstood issues in India and the North-East.”
In the context of Indo-Naga peace process is coming to some kind of a political solution, The Naga Rising, thus appealed the neighbours to “understand and honour the peace agreement between the Government of India and the Naga people.”
“As the Naga people also understand the sentiments of people in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, who are desirous to safeguard their territorial boundaries, The Naga Rising calls for an informed dialogue and greater understanding on this particular issue to help work out some formulations acceptable to all.”
Further encouraging for dialogue and ideas for a meaningful solution, it espoused its affirmation on a ‘non-territorial’ or ‘cross-border regional’ model can be worked out that best suits the present reality of the Nagas, their neighbours and the working of Indian federalism.
Meanwhile on proposed Pan-Naga Body (or a non-territorial arrangement), it said that problem lies in the lack of “clarity on the specifics of how the idea could translate into a system that works on the ground.”
“The Naga Rising firmly believes that any Pan-Naga Body being created under the proposed Naga Peace Accord must factor in the ground reality and the sentiments of the people,” it added. To this end, it called for the nature of relationship between Nagaland State and the proposed Pan-Naga body that is “properly framed based on a judicious interpretation of existing constitutional provisions and political acumen.”
