Ashikho Pfuzhe
Dimapur | November 6
Contrary to media reports that the NSCN (I-M) has dropped ‘sovereignty’ and ’integration’ from its charter of demands, the NSCN (I-M) collective leadership has declared that ‘integration’ of Naga inhabited areas is central to finding a solution to the protracted Naga political problem.
“Integration is a must as without integration there will be no permanent settlement. Integration will always be part of the settlement,” NSCN (I-M) General Secretary Th. Muivah told a section of the media at Dimapur Airport, minutes before he and NSCN (I-M) Chairman Isak Chishi Swu, along with senior leaders of the group, departed for Delhi, Tuesday afternoon.
“Integration will always be part of the settlement. But problem is that at the moment the Government of India side needs time…from our side, whether it is today, tomorrow or in the future, there must be integration,” Muivah said.
With speculations of imminent ‘solution’ to the ongoing talks between the Naga group and Government of India before the Nagaland Legislative Assembly election slated for March 2013, the NSCN collective leadership are again en route to Delhi for another round of talks after hectic consultations with various Naga tribal Hohos and civil society at home.
Muivah said the Naga tribal bodies and civil society were positive and that all of them have given their blessings for success of the talks.
Queried on the tentative date of inking an agreement for a settlement, NSCN (I-M) Chairman Isak Swu said that the date cannot be predicted.
On the recent meeting between the NSCN (I-M) collective leadership with GPRN/NSCN leaders, Chairman Khole Konyak and General Secretary Kitovi Zhimomi in Dimapur facilitated by Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) and whether there was possibility of the two groups coming together for a common solution, Muivah said it was “hard to say at the moment”.
“We want everyone to understand us and the true nature of the issue before us. If understanding could be arrived at and the way towards solution is also identified in the same, then we welcome them. But if there are differences, then until these differences are overcome, we cannot afford,” he said.
On other rival Naga groups questioning the NSCN (I-M)’s ongoing negotiations and allegations that it would be a sell-out, the NSCN (I-M) General Secretary countered, “Do you believe these questions? Do they understand the nature of Naga issue? They don’t understand the issue and that is why they go on talking and issue baseless statements,” Muivah added.
On a likely date for the next round of talks, the collective leadership said that they are expecting the negotiations to resume soon.
