UKHRUL/SENAPATI/CHANDEL: Thousands of Nagas across the hill districts of Manipur on Monday observed the 11th anniversary of the signing of the Indo-Naga Framework Agreement, renewing their demand for the Government of India to implement the accord “in letter and spirit” and bring the protracted peace process to an honourable conclusion.
Public programmes, rallies and declaration ceremonies were held in Ukhrul, Senapati, Tamenglong and Chandel, where tribal bodies, students’ organisations, women’s groups, church leaders and civil society organisations reiterated their support for the Framework Agreement signed between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM on August 3, 2015.
A common declaration adopted at the observances stated that the Nagas continue to honour and fully support the Framework Agreement and expressed hope that it would be implemented at the earliest to achieve an honourable and acceptable political solution. The declaration also described the prolonged delay in the final settlement as a dishonour to the historical and political rights of the Naga people and appealed to the Centre to demonstrate the political will required to conclude the peace process.
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In Ukhrul, thousands gathered at the Town Hall under the aegis of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) and other apex Tangkhul organisations. The gathering adopted a public declaration reaffirming support for the Framework Agreement and urging the Government of India to implement it at the earliest. The declaration expressed disappointment over the continued delay in concluding the peace process and called for renewed political commitment to an honourable settlement.
The declaration was jointly signed by the presidents of the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL), Tangkhul Naga Awunga Long (TNAL), Tangkhul Students’ League (TSL), Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) and Tangkhul Mayar Ngala Long (TMNL).
Participants later marched peacefully to the Ukhrul Mini Secretariat, where the declaration was submitted to the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister through the Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul.
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In Senapati, thousands gathered at Traffic Point for a public observance organised by the Naga People’s Organisation (NPO), Senapati District Students’ Association (SDSA) and Senapati District Women’s Association (SDWA) under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC).
Delivering the keynote address, NPO president Kuba Peter described the Framework Agreement as a historic milestone in the Indo-Naga peace process and said the Nagas continue to look forward to a peaceful, honourable and mutually acceptable political settlement. He cautioned that any departure from the spirit of the agreement would undermine the hopes created by its signing.
UNC president Ng. Lorho urged the Government of India to demonstrate sincerity and political will in resolving the issue, stating that generations of Nagas had awaited a settlement despite nearly three decades of negotiations. He called upon the Naga people to remain united while pursuing their shared political aspirations.
Participants later adopted a public declaration reaffirming support for the Framework Agreement and appealing for its implementation without further delay. The declaration reiterated that the prolonged pendency of the final settlement was unacceptable and urged New Delhi to honour the principles agreed upon in 2015.
UNC president Ng. Lorho stated that the journey towards sovereignty has been fraught with challenges and setbacks, alleging that the Government of India made a U-turn by departing from the letter and spirit of the Framework Agreement signed between the two entities in the presence of prime minister Narendra Modi. He claimed that this was done by refusing to recognise the Naga national flag and the Naga constitution, which he described as the two inseparable components of the identity of a nation.
He said the NSCN had signed the Framework Agreement with the Government of India as an independent entity and not as a subordinate of the Union of India. Referring to the political talks that have continued since August 1, 1997 without a final settlement, he said there comes a point “when patience wears thin, endurance reaches its limit, silence is no longer an option, and when promises are repeatedly broken, people rise up and cry, ‘Enough is enough.'” He added that such a situation and sentiment are now being experienced by the Nagas.
Lorho urged the Nagas to stand firm and remain united in pursuing their common political aspirations, calling on them to prepare to face any challenges with courage, resilience and determination. “The time to act is now—if not now, perhaps never,” he said.
He also urged the Government of India to demonstrate genuine political will and sincerity in resolving the Indo-Naga political issue. “Although the process has been sluggish, the Nagas continue to look forward to a swift, honourable and amicable settlement that brings the issue to its logical conclusion,” he said.
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At Chandel, the Chandel Naga People’s Organisation (CNPO), Naga Women’s Union Chandel and Naga Students’ Union Chandel adopted a joint declaration reaffirming their support for the Framework Agreement and calling for its early implementation.
The declaration stated that the prolonged delay in reaching a final settlement amounted to “dishonour and disrespect” to the historical and political rights of the Nagas and appealed to the Government of India to demonstrate the political will needed to conclude the peace process.
Participants later held a peaceful rally from the venue to DC Lamkhai before returning to the programme site, raising slogans demanding an early political solution.
The event was attended by leaders of Naga tribal bodies, students’ organisations, women’s groups, churches and civil society organisations. Addresses were delivered by CNPO leaders and ANSAM president Th. Angteshang Maring.
Nagas of the Chandel district also declared that they honour and fully support the Framework Agreement.
“It is the fervent wish of the Naga people that the agreement should be implemented in letter and spirit for an honourable and acceptable solution at the earliest,” the people declared.
Commemoration programmes were also held in Tamenglong. The 11th anniversary of the signing of the Indo-Naga Framework Agreement was observed at the United Baptist Churches (Liangmai) Conference Hall in Tamenglong district headquarters on Monday. The programme was organised by the Joint Tribe Council of Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei and Zeme under the aegis of the UNC and attended by leaders of tribal bodies, churches and civil society organisations.
During the programme, UNC Assembly secretary Gaininguang Kamei read out the UNC president’s message from Hebron Camp, Nagaland. A public declaration adopted at the event was later submitted to the Prime Minister through the Deputy Commissioner of Tamenglong, urging the Government of India to implement the Framework Agreement “in letter and spirit” and bring the long-pending Indo-Naga political issue to an honourable conclusion. The declaration said the continued delay in the final settlement after 11 years of “patient and prayerful wait” amounted to a dishonour to the historical and political rights of the Naga people.
