Framework Agreement, Cornerstone of Indo-Naga Relationship: NSCN

Ukhrul, Mar 7: The NSCN-IM said today that the Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015, is the “cornerstone of the Indo-Naga relationship, and a bridge, not wall”. As such, the NSCN-IM cautioned that no one should ever attempt to tear down the Framework Agreement.

“It was purchased with the precious sweat, blood, and tears of hundreds of thousands of revolutionary patriots.”

In a statement made available to Newmai News Network tonight, the NSCN-IM also said that the Naga movement is neither a case of secessionist movement nor that of a law-and-order problem of India.

“Ours is purely a case of invasion and forceful occupation of our homeland by India. Since the start of the movement, the world has been well informed of the Naga people’s resistance movement against the Indian aggression”, the statement further said, while adding, “In its attempt to subdue the Nagas through sheer military might, the Government of India sent thousands of armed forces to Nagalim, where hundreds of thousands of innocent Nagas were killed, without getting the desired result as Nagas simply refused to yield.”

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Again, according to the statement of the NSCN-IM, the Government of India in collusion with Naga traitors tried desperately to hook the Naga issue in the name of a bogus Naga People’s Convention (NPC) and made the so-called 16 Point Indian drafted memorandum without the knowledge and consent of the mandated Naga national leaders.”In fact, the agreement intended to make the Nagas a divided house. It was an attempt to legitimize the illegitimate occupation of Nagalim by India. However, Nagas refused to honor such an Indian imposed agreement,” the statement added.

The NSCN-IM then said that another attempt called “The Shillong Accord” was imposed upon the Nagas to subjugate the Nagas through political chicanery. However, it was totally condemned and rejected by the Naga National Assembly for the very reason that it betrayed the Naga national principle, it also said. After twenty-two years of long bloody confrontation, the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim(NSCN) reached a ceasefire agreement in 1997, the NSCN-IM said. Thus, the Government of India and NSCN embarked upon a series of political negotiations and finally signed the historic Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015, in New Delhi in the presence of the Prime Minister of India, the NSCN-IM mentioned in the statement. “Mr. Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief of Army Staff Gen Dalbil Singh Suhag, National Security Advisor to Prime Minister. Ajit Doyal, Principal Secretary to PMO Pramod Kumar Mishra and a host of NSCN leaders, which was live-telecasted on all TV channels,” the NSCN-IM recalled.

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According to the NSCN-IM, the Framework Agreement recognizes the unique history of Naga independence; it recognizes the sovereignty of the Nagas and it also stated the coexistence of the two entities (Indian and the Nagas) sharing sovereign power (shared sovereignty). “It was also agreed that Nagas are the owners of their land, anything on the surface and beneath it,” the NSCN-IM claimed.

The NSCN-IM reiterated the stand that Nagas are definitely for a solution that respects their sovereign right. “We are for peace, but we do not buy peace at the expense of our future. Nagas are friendly to everyone, but we do not make friends with others who have betrayed their identity. Nagas are building their state on the Naga foundation. However, we believe in the principle of co-existence with other communities,” the NSCN-IM further added.

The statement then said, “Hence, the Framework Agreement is a solution both the parties have been working for. It is the cornerstone of the Indo-Naga relationship. It is a bridge, not a wall”. It then cautioned, “No one should ever attempt to tear down the Framework Agreement. It was purchased with the precious sweat, blood and tears of hundreds of thousands of revolutionary patriots.”

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(Newmai News Network)