DIMAPUR, APRIL 27 (MExN): The Joint Council of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim has come out with a statement on the talk between Khaplang and Burma. The statement was issued by Qhevihe Chishi Swu, Convenor, Steering Committee, NSCN (IM) and TT Among, Kilo Kilonser, GPRN. The statement has pointed out that the “Naga people are concerned on the proposed talks between Khaplang and the Burmese military junta as all Nagas are inseparable parts of the whole and Nagalim embraces all their ancestral domains”.
“The question is what agenda are they to talk about and under what framework”, the statement pointed out while reminding that the NSCN under the “legitimate leadership of Isak and Muivah had declared unilateral ceasefire with the Burmese government years ago”.
The statement stated that “people from all quarters query whether Khaplang is mandated by the people” and whether he “really represents the issue/future of the Nagas?” The statement from the NSCN (IM) pointed out that when the administrative units of the Sagaing Division were arbitrarily redrawn by the Burmese government, six townships namely, Tamu, Molaik, Phouwnpin, Homalin, Khamti, and Tanai were lost to Sagaing Division and Kachin state. Only the remaining three rocky townships - Layshi, Lahe and Namyung were left to the Nagas to form the so-called Autonomous District Council.
According to the NSCN (IM), Khaplang did not say anything against the move which took place right under his nose. “Rather he had given his backing to that kind of colonial policy much to the chagrin of the Naga people. This is undeniable fact and he can never dispose it off as he wishes”.
The statement also claimed that it was known to one and all that Khaplang and the Burmese army have been working together hand in glove even before declaration of the ceasefire. “It is highly questionable if Khaplang has seriously considered the rights and history of the Naga people when entering into a ceasefire agreement with the Burmese military junta”, it stated while adding that the “Nagas are watching closely the new development taking place in the eastern part of Nagalim”.
The NSCN (IM) mentioned that “Khaplang must keep it in mind that the Naga people will never accept any agreement that betrays their right over their territory”. It also stated that it was “strongly opposed to the kind of ceasefire that escalates factional fighting on the one hand and makes haven for those organizations that are hostile to the Naga people on the other”. “Khaplang must understand that Nagas are no longer in the days of yore. They are highly political people now”.
