Dimapur, November 11 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) has said that the Government of India has recognised the legitimate right of the Nagas to integration of all Naga territories and that a road map has been worked out for its materialization through political process.
In a press release on Wednesday, the NSCN (IM) presented its position on the Framework Agreement which it said, “reaffirmed the recognised unique history of the Nagas and identity of the Nagas.” The Framework Agreement recognizes the sovereignty of the Nagas and thus the political identity of the Naga people was established with clinical conviction, it said
It also said that the agreement “recognised the political exigency of the Nagas and Indians for peaceful coexistence of the two entities which means two people/nations,” in the fitness of keeping pace with the contemporary reality.
Based on the Framework Agreement, “we have mutually agreed that Nagas will exercise their sovereignty in their own internal affairs. However, there are areas where the two entities will share sovereign powers,” the NSCN (IM) maintained, while adding that the Agreement also says that “Nagas are the owners of their land and all natural and mineral resources above and beneath the land belong to the Nagas.”
On the matter of the Government of India recognising the legitimate right of the Nagas to integration of all Naga territories, it said that a “political set up with legislative, executive, and financial (separate budget) and judicial powers will be created which will be transitional.”
Pan Naga Hoho, a cultural and social body with a separate budget allocated by the Government of India will also be created, the release issued by the NSCN (IM) MIP stated.
With regards to the contentious issue of Naga flag and Yehzabo (constitution), the release stated that “it was unbecomingly unfortunate that some leaders from the Indian side are making issue out of it.”
“Notwithstanding the stand of the Government of India on Naga flag and constitution that is wildly vacillating, it is needless to say that NSCN will stick to Framework Agreement and mutually agreed competencies including Naga national flag and constitution,” it asserted, underscoring that the “flag and constitution are the inherent characteristics of our recognized sovereignty and identity.”
Further stating that the Nagas have been looking for lasting solution and relationship by mutual agreement, the NSCN (IM) expressed belief that “Naga solution incorporating Naga flag and constitution will undoubtedly solve not only the Naga political problem, but it will also solve the chronic Indo-Naga political problem and they will tighten their lasting relationship.”
Therefore, given this unequivocal geo-strategic position occupied by the Nagas, both the parties should focus on long term solution that will give no room for future war but bring a genuine and lasting peace in the land, it added.
