Article 371 (A) roadblock to Framework Agreement — NSCN (IM)

DIMAPUR — The NSCN (IM) has said that the crucial question that confronts the Nagas today is how Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution has resolved the Indo-Naga political issue and in what manner.

Claiming that Article 371 (A) has taken the Nagas nowhere towards solving the Naga issue, as evident by historical record of Indo-Naga political conflict, the NSCN (IM), in a press release, said that both Article 371 (A) and the Framework Agreement (FA) “should be seen with deep political insight.”

“It is a matter of exigency to understand how and why Article 371 (A) is a roadblock to Framework Agreement,” it said.

On the other hand, the NSCN (IM) claimed that the FA is a political agreement executed outside the purview of Indian constitution or Article 371 (A).

According to the NSCN (IM), the FA recognises the unique history and position of the Naga people and is in consonant with the “genius of the Naga people.”

Other salient features of the FA include sharing sovereign power as defined in the competencies, a new relationship and peaceful co-existence of two entities (India and the Nagas), the group said.

“One can easily understand that 371 (A) cannot accommodate the ingredient components of FA of Naga’s sovereign right and its national identity. The FA solution will cover all the Article 371 (A) points and in addition, realise the Naga people’s sovereign right.

“Until such time the Article 371 (A) shall be kept in ‘status-quo’ till the final inking of the Naga issue. This should not be considered as a problem for the Nagas if we are to look for honourable solution with our political identity intact,” the NSCN (IM) said.

It went on to say that there are enough rooms to appreciate each other’s difficulties and work together, provided that Article 371 (A) is considered as a “stop-gap” arrangement and a stepping stone towards the principle of greater height.

“But if is taken as the bedrock of Naga society, the alpha and omega of Naga political journey, then naturally it comes under ‘treason.’ The matter is thus sensitive and requires dealing with expediency,” it added.

Also read: The Art 371(A) is the Anathema to NSCN (IM)