Senapati: The All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM), in a press release, reaffirmed its firm support for the Indo-Naga political peace talks and urged all Naga people to pray for the ongoing discussions in the national capital.
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In the press release issued by Nula Wilpengam, Vice-President of ANSAM, the association highlighted that the Nagas in Nagalim have long yearned for a logical conclusion to the protracted Naga political issue, seeking self-determination and sovereign rights. The Naga National Struggle, now in its 78th year since the official declaration of Naga Independence from British colonial rule, saw the Indo-Naga political peace talks initiated in 2002. After nearly two decades, the Framework Agreement was signed on 3rd August 2015 between the National Socialist Council of Nagalim and the Government of India, recognizing the unique history and situation of the Nagas and exploring the concept of shared sovereignty between two distinct entities.
Despite nine years since the Framework Agreement and 22 years of peace talks at the Prime Ministerial level between two separate entities, the failure of the Government of India to honor its commitments regarding a separate Naga flag and constitution has left the negotiations inconclusive, though not deadlocked, causing an impasse for several years.
ANSAM reiterated its firm support for a logical conclusion to the Indo-Naga political peace talks, with an honorable and acceptable solution. It appreciated the steps taken by the Government of India to resume the political talks after years of stagnation to discuss the rights of the Nagas. The student body expressed confidence that the outcome will be positive, as the Government of India has already acknowledged the political aspirations and rights of the Naga people.
With the resumption of the Indo-Naga political peace talks between the National Socialist Council of Nagalim and the Government of India scheduled to take place this October in New Delhi, ANSAM has fervently appealed to all its units, Naga students, youths, churches in Nagalim, and the entire Naga populace to pray for God’s blessings upon the collective leaders, led by VS Atem, Deputy Ato Kilonser of NSCN/GPRN, in their negotiations with the Government of India. ANSAM called for a united voice in seeking an inclusive solution with the flag, constitution, and integration as the inalienable rights of the Naga people, the release stated.
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