Dimapur, March 6 (MExN): Amid the ongoing public discourse in Nagaland, the NNC/FGN has asserted that debates surrounding issues like “Vande Mataram”, “early solution”, and the integration of Naga inhabited areas are peripheral to the core Naga aspiration for independence.
Zhopra Vero, Kedahge, NNC/FGN in a press release issued on Friday remarked that while the ongoing discussions have their own merits, they detract from fundamental aspiration – the Naga Independence. “The moment we turn our collective attention to what we already have and what we aspire to be, these issues will die a natural death,” Vero said.
He emphasised that the Nagas have their own National Anthem, National Flag, Yehzabo (Constitution), and inhabit ancestral land. Therefore, the Indian national song in question does not in any way reflect, represent or embody the historical, religious, cultural or political life of the Naga people.
Describing both the Framework Agreement and Agreed Position between the Government of India and Naga Political Groups (NPGs) as basic outlines for negotiation, he highlighted that both the agreements explicitly state that the Government of India recognises the historical and political rights of the Naga people to determine their own future in consonance with their distinct identity.
“This recognition implicitly implies that we possess the right to live together as one people with our own flag and our own anthem,” he said, adding that these are integral parts of Naga history and identity as a sovereign people. “Any move to contradict these basic rights cannot happen without twisting the meaning of the right to self determination,” he asserted.
The Kedahge further alleged that some vested interests among the Naga society of misinterpreting the purpose and functioning of these agreements. “Even the so-called architect and champion of the ‘16-Point Agreement’ have repeatedly expressed his antagonism to the notion of the integration of the Naga inhabited areas” and of ignoring Clause 13 of the agreement, which provides for “the consolidation of contiguous Naga areas.”
The NNC/FGN leader clarified that both the Framework Agreement and Agreed Position are political agreements committed to seeking long term honourable political settlement, and are not meant to explore an “early solution” based on economic packages and related development packages. It insisted that any final solution must safeguard Naga identity, unity, and the right to self-determination, enabling both parties, Government of India and Naga people, to move forward with dignity.
He demanded that for the signatories, the terms of the agreements and subsequent competencies that need to be negotiated have to embody the spirit of the Naga national movement, which was originally envisioned by the pioneering leaders of the Naga National Council. “An honourable, inclusive and acceptable solution must safeguard Naga identity, unity and right to self-determination to enable both the parties to move forward with dignity,” he reiterated.
