Senapati, August 3: The All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM), the apex Naga student body of Manipur and the United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of Nagas in Manipur, have raised serious questions and concerns over the delay in bringing an amicable solution to the protracted Indo-Naga political issue.
In a statement issued on the 10th anniversary of the Framework Agreement, ANSAM stated that the Naga People wholeheartedly welcome and endorse the Framework Agreement between the Government of India (GoII and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN), signed ceremoniously on August 3, 2025 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accompanied by key leaders of the Government of India at the official residence of the Prime Minister in New Delhi, before the worldwide audience. It gave the Nagas high hopes for an early and logical settlement of the Indo-Naga issue. Yet, 10 years have passed without any tangible solution to the protracted Indo-Naga political issue, posing serious questions and concerns in the minds of the public.
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The All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) placed on record their appreciation to all the former Prime Ministers of India who have made sincere efforts towards resolving the Indo-Naga Political Issue. The unprecedented recognition of the “unique history and situation of the Nagas” by the then Government of India under the leadership of the then Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, in the year 2002 demonstrated the seriousness and genuine concern for the settlement of the protracted violent conflicts in the Indian Subcontinent.
This official recognition by the Government of India – “Nagas have the history of independence that Nagas have neither been part of the Union of India nor that of Myanmar (Burma), nor any other powers either by consent or by conquest, and the situation and position of Nagalim is political, not a law and order problem” stated to stand as a landmark in the Indo-Naga peace process. Ever since, the Naga people have been steadfastly committed to the Indo-Naga peace process, reposing their faith in the successive leaders at the helm of the Government of India to resolve the issue amicably, ANSAM stated.
The Association expressed their deepest concern over the continued delay tactics and misplaced behaviour of the GoI in resolving the protracted Indo-Naga political issue and questioned the commitment and sincerity of the Indian leadership. The Association earnestly called upon the GoI to expedite the peace talk by restoring the process to the track to hammer out a logical conclusion in the true spirit of the “Framework Agreement.”
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ANSAM strongly reemphasized that it was the realization of the “political nature” of the Naga issue on the part of India that paved the way for negotiation. The student body in their statement mentioned that 28 years of political talks demands a logical conclusion with due recognition of “NAGA FLAG, CONSTITUTION, AND INTEGRATION” as their “INALIENABLE RIGHTS.”
Any agreement without ensuring these will not address the political aspirations of the Nagas as a people, it stated. The Naga people are eagerly waiting for the wholesome and inclusive political solution for all the Nagas living in contiguous Naga areas.
The Association also called upon all the Naga populace to remain vigilant, united, and steadfast in commitment towards the journey of Nagas struggles to secure their rightful place by realizing the historical and political rights of the Nagas.
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Meanwhile, the UNC stated that the GoI must walk the talk to ensure that all is well in the sub-continent.
The UNC reminded all stakeholders about the fundamental principles of the Framework Agreement as:
– “The government of India recognizes the unique history and position of the Nagas”. By unique history, it means-the Nagas have the history of independence. The Nagas have neither been a part of the Union of India nor that of Burma (Myanmar), nor have been under any powers by consent or conquest. By unique position, it means-position and situation of Nagalim is political. It is a case of invasion on Nagalim by India, not law and order problem of India.
– It says “Both have understood each other’s respective positions and are cognizant of the universal principle that in a democracy sovereignty lies with the people”. And that, it is an acknowledged fact that the sovereignty of Nagalim lies with the Naga People.
– By shared sovereignty, it means- the sovereign Indian people and the sovereign Naga people will share sovereign power in those areas as defined in the competencies.
– Recognizing the national identity of the Nagas and admitting that the Naga people had rejected the Union of India offered to them by the Constituent Assembly of India, the Government of India proposed for an enduring inclusive and new relationship of peaceful co-existence between the two entities.
– By inclusive, it means-it embraces all Nagas wherever they are, including all political groups.
– By new relationship, it means-a new relationship based on the Framework Agreement.
– By co-existence of the two entities, it means- Co-existence of the two peoples- Indian people and Naga people.
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The UNC reiterated that the questions of Naga National flag and constitution is a common knowledge known to the Indian leaders too- that flag and constitution are constituent parts of sovereignty.
“There is no ambiguity about it. Therefore, the Government of India should not continue to buy time through talks, rather walk the talk to ensure that all is well in the sub-continent,” the UNC added.