Newmai News Network
Dimapur: Notwithstanding the slow progress of Indo-Naga political talks, the NSCN-IM is determined to keep the tempo going by organizing consultative meetings of tatars (Members of Parliament of the NSCN-IM), kilonsers (ministers of the organization) and deputy kilonsers, Steering Committee and Executive Steering Committee members of all regions and keep abreast of any development on the ongoing Naga political issue.
On September 8, 2023, the Joint Parliamentarians Consultative Meeting of the Southern Zone of the NSCN-IM was held at Ecological Park, Mayangkhang, Senapati district, according to the NSCN-IM.
During the meeting, the core issue of the Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015, was brought forth before the members as they stood up in unison to stand by the “Framework Agreement” and with a coherent voice shouted “No Naga flag no solution” “No Constitution no solution” “Under Indian Constitution no solution”, a press communiqué from the NSCN-IM issued to Newmai News Network today said.
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Maj (Retd) Kewe Mero, Kilo Kilonser (Home minister of the organization), in his keynote address, said this is the time to stand strong and resolute and understand together the prevailing development from a proper perspective, the press release said. He reminded the members never to forget the hard achievements of Indo-Naga political talks ever since it started after the ceasefire in 1997 where Nagas have firmly asserted their historical and political identity after negotiating its way to get official recognition of the government of India on the “unique history of the Nagas and situation” and followed by the historic “Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015” and the critical importance to stand by it no matter what circumstances we may have to face, the statement also said.
Zhehoto Awomi, Chaplee Kilonser (Finance minister of the organisation), fervently appealed to members about how NSCN should reflect unity at all times taking into consideration how the Naga political movement was run under the banner of “Nagalim for Christ”. He also stressed how NSCN members should maintain moral integrity and discipline in all respects in order to guard the image of NSCN as the bona fide Naga national organization fighting for the political rights of the Nagas, the press note added.
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Jongpong Sashi, kilonser, Education, called upon the members not to lag behind in introspection and examine where they stand, if they are giving hard and soul for the Naga national cause. He called upon the members to work fearlessly but in closeness with God, as nothing good can be achieved without God in our everyday struggle, the press statement further added.
Meyong Phom, a member of Collective Leadership, called upon the members to realize how the Naga nation wants them to be righteous leaders to face the huge task at hand and how God has been with the Nagas when a solid political foundation was laid with the signing of the historic Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015, the NSCN-IM statement also said.
He pointed out that NSCN-IM today is facing aggressive forces to drive the Naga solution away from the Framework Agreement. “This requires rededication of commitment from all members to Collective Leadership, NSCN and supports them to take the Nagas towards the desired goal”. He quoted from the Holy Bible to drive home the point, “Righteousness exalts a nation but sin condemns any people,” (Psalm 14:34). With this he called upon members to give importance to qualities of righteousness in order to make God happy to help find Naga political solution, the press release added.
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Lieut Gen (Retd) V.S. Atem, VC, Collective Leadership, welcoming the big turnout of the members from all regions of Southern Zone, impressed upon the members that “we all have to bear all the inconveniences as the Naga issue matters to all at this turning point of Naga history when the Indo-Naga political talks are at a critical stage”. With this he asked the members to exercise responsibility as serving the Naga nation is not without sacrifices.
Gen Atem quoted from the records of Naga history mentioning the names of two Prime Ministers of India, Jawaharlal Nehru and Morarji Desai who were critical of the Naga political issue and made disparaging remarks with their crude manners and how Nagas proved them wrong for their “irresponsible recklessness”, the statement further said.
According to Gen Atem, the political resoluteness of the Naga political struggle is the driving force that has taken us this far. Nagas after the declaration of Naga Independence on August 14, 1947 launched a peaceful movement as they boycotted the Indian general elections consecutively, in 1952 and 1957. Nagas refused to join the Union of India when more than 500 princely states joined the Union of India. “He hit on the point that Naga’s political struggle has come this far because Nagas have the political courage to assert their rights”, the press release further stated.
Taking reference to the present context, Gen Atem said, “We have to stand upright as history will judge us on how we stand up for our rights”.
Acting correspondingly, the core issue of the Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015, was brought forth before the members as they stood up in unison to stand by “Framework Agreement” and with coherent voices shouted “No Naga flag no solution” “No Constitution no solution” “Under Indian Constitution no solution”, the statement of the NSCN-IM further added.
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