Flag and constitution can’t be exchanged for anything — NSCN (IM)

Dimapur, March 31 (EMN): The NSCN (IM) on Wednesday stated that “the issue of the Naga national flag and constitution (Yehzabo) cannot be put on the bargaining table in exchange for anything” as they symbolises Naga national identity.

Through a press release issued by its MIP, the group stated that certain diplomatic norms cannot be sidelined whenever Indo-Naga political dialogue takes place, adding that it entered into an agreement to hold political peace process after the GoI agreed to accept Naga issue as political.

It said that the deadlock over the Naga national flag and constitution after more than two decades of political dialogue is a matter of diplomatic error.

“Ironically, diplomatic norm is the missing point that is driving the Indo-Naga political talk to almost nothingness as it makes no difference with the past accords and agreements which were rejected out rightly.

“Nagas cannot be insulted by asking them to stand by Indian national flag at the cost of dishonouring the Naga national flag that defines the Naga political identity as a nation. This is the crux of the issue that the Naga people simply cannot compromise. It would be unjustified for the GoI to make a roughshod of the unique history of the Nagas that it has given official recognition,” the statement read.

It also lamented that the government of India eventually appointed an Interlocutor to hold talks with the NSCN led by its Ato Kilonser after it was agreed during the signing of the ceasefire in 1997 to hold political dialogue at the prime minister level.