Dimapur, June 25 (MExN): The Working Committee of the Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) reacted strongly today to media reports on June 10 regarding the "Tangkhul Village Chiefs (Federation of Haomee) and Meiteis" decision to "defend the territorial integrity of Manipur state.”
According to the WC, NNPGs, the declaration “whether declared by a few or hundred villages blown the lid off the bottle of falsehood” of where the community “historically, politically and administratively belong to.”
It further noted that state of Manipur is the mother of all Naga tribes living in Manipur and the same goes for Nagas of Nagaland, Nagas of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagas of Assam.
“This is the reality and therefore the Agreed Position signed between WC, NNPGs and GoI (Government of India) on 17th Nov. 2017 becomes even more relevant because it is firmly anchored on historical and practical reality. Nagas cannot thrive on illusion,” it added.
Meanwhile, the WC, NNPGs argued that Article 371(A) is in itself a sharing of Sovereign powers with the Union of India.
“A historical and political recognition accorded to Nagaland. It is the very foundation of Nagaland State denoting people of Nagaland are sole owners of their land,” it added.
The ‘Agreed Position’ and the ‘Status Paper’ also gives clear roadmap on the relationship between Nagas and GoI through practical, honourable and acceptable solution, it said.
Although integration is ruled out nevertheless the political solution encompasses all Naga areas be it in Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh or Assam, it said.
Accordingly, the WC, NNPGs asserted that the prerogative lies with the “people of Nagaland to decide what is good for Nagaland and likewise Manipur Nagas will decide what is good for themselves so also the Nagas in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.”
It further charged the “Nagaland State Government and few self serving Naga Civil Societies giving themselves lofty names, continue to connive with venomous elements to obstruct and sabotage the Indo-Naga political solution.”
Meanwhile, regarding the current unrest in Manipur, the WC NNPGs expressed astonishment over alleged “silence of Nagalim for Christ propagators becoming mere onlookers as their next door neighbour cries in agony and pain.”
It further pointed out that Lenjang Kuki, an interpreter, was among the “twenty Naga signatories of the first Political Memorandum for Naga self-determination, submitted to the British Statutory Commission on Jan. 10, 1929.”
