The NSCN-IM on Tuesday said that when it comes to the jurisdiction of the ceasefire the Government of India “continues to speak in ambivalent terms”.
“1997 Indo-Naga ceasefire for political negotiation was signed with high hope and excitement on the part of the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN). Ironically, when it comes to jurisdiction of ceasefire, the Government of India continues to speak in ambivalent terms even after more than twenty three (23) years of political talks,” the NSCN-IM said in a press statement.
According to the NSCN-IM statement, this has become the boiling point of conflict that the “Government of India is simply making an escapade”. The NSCN-IM added that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issuing directive to the Assam Rifles (AR) to intensify operations against NSCN-IM has come as rude shock.
The statement then said the Naga political issue could not be undermined in such a manner that contradicts the “well established” historical and political rights of the Naga people spread across Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar. The NSCN-IM further said the political right of the Naga people was no longer an issue that necessitated any review. It added that the signing of the historic Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015 was a living document to take the Government of India and NSCN-IM through for the final solution.
“To push the Indo-Naga political solution for the final deal what really matters is the political will to be exercised by the Government of India,” the NSCN-IM statement said. It also said that the Nagas have come this far in search of peaceful solution. “But the Government of India still continues to waver. This is a sign of weakness and insincerity,” the NSCN-IM added.
The NSCN-IM then said the Framework Agreement is a symbol of “our olive branch to India, our desire to co-exist peacefully” as good neighbors. “However, this has not been reciprocated with the correct political steps,” the NSCN-IM also said. It further said the Naga people’s sincere approach and search for permanent peace has been touted time and again to suit India’s colonial divide and rule policy. “This is evidently seen in the ongoing Indo-Naga political talks,” it added.
The NSCN-IM then said the Naga people believe in solution based on mutual respect of each other’s position. “But we do not believe in force union bereft of any political wisdom. Nor do we believe in carrot and stick policy that will only complicate what has been achieved all these years of negotiation,” it added.
The NSCN-IM press statement then said the Government of India must handle the situation with great sensitivity and not prodded the Indian security forces and other security agencies to run amok against the NSCN. “In such a situation NSCN members cannot allow themselves to be sitting ducks. Our patience should not be translated as weak and helpless. The consequences, therefore, will be disastrous for both the parties. This is never in the interest of ceasefire across Naga areas,” the NSCN-IM cautioned.
NNN