No India’s Independence Day celebration in Naga areas, says ANSAM

DIMAPUR — The All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM) has expressed disappointment over the continued delay in resolving the Indo-Naga political issue, accusing the Indian government of attempting to backtrack from the Framework Agreement (FA) which was signed on August 3, 2015.

Terming it as a “sinister policy”, the student body said in a press communiqué that the historic FA officially recognised the unique history of Nagas and to “respect each other’s sovereign rights and power as two entities”.

“This 27 years of Indo-Naga political negotiation merits a logical solution recognising the

Naga Flag, Constitution and Integration as an inalienable rights of the Nagas,” it said.

“Blatant betrayal and diabolical policies and provocations against Nagas on the part of the

GOI, negating the spirit of the bilateral agreements, is a matter of great concern for the

Naga students and Naga populace in general,” said the ANSAM, questioning the political commitment and sincerity of the GoI in resolving the issue.

Accusing India of “forcefull occupation to subjugate and exploit the Naga people” despite the latter declaring their Independence from the British Rule on August 14, 1947, it said the Nagas were divided by imposing “arbitrary (imaginary) political boundaries across the Naga homeland”.

“Given these historical facts and the stated reasons, the Nagas see no valid reason to participate in the India Independence Day Celebration, Therefore, the Association called upon the units of ANSAM to extend no cooperation towards the 78th India’s Independence Day celebration in Naga areas to express our strong resentment against the continued disregard to our political rights and lack of commitment in the negotiating table,” it stated.