Flag, constitution represent Naga identity — NSCN (IM)

Dimapur, Feb. 27 (EMN): The NSCN (IM) has asserted that the Naga national flag and constitution represent “our national identity and the recognition is absolutely a matter of Nagas’ right for an honourable political solution”.

A press release from the group informed that this was one of the resolutions adopted during an emergency joint council meeting held at Hebron on Thursday.

The meeting comprising collective leadership, members of collective leadership, steering executive members, steering committee members, kilonsers, tatars, heads of the departments and colonel and above of ‘Naga army’ deliberated on the Indo-Naga political talks, it informed.

“The house reaffirmed the decision of the tatar hoho dated September 3, 2019, and the collective leadership dated July 23, 2019, to uphold the August 3, 2015 framework agreement; that, the political solution shall be ‘Naga solution’ of the Nagas wherever they are. Therefore, it is our bounden duty to uphold the unique history and sovereign rights of the Naga people that is in consonance with the historic 1951 Plebiscite.

“To uphold the mandate of the Naga people given to NSCN on January 21, 2005, to conclude an honourable solution to the Indo-Naga political issue and the unification of all Naga areas,” read some of its resolutions.

The group maintained that political talks between government of India (GoI) and NSCN (IM) must move forward in the spirit of mutual respect. It condemned “the double-standard policy of the GoI and cautioned the GoI from using its agencies including National Investigation Agency (NIA) to arrest and harass the members of the NSCN who are in political negotiations with the GoI for the past twenty-two years”.

The NSCN (IM), it asserted, shall continue to endeavour for an honourable political solution that is acceptable to the Naga people.

Many leaders falling prey to India’s interest—Naga Hoho

n a separate press release, the Naga Hoho accused “many (unnamed) tall Naga leaders” of falling prey to the interest of India rather than Naga people, in the backdrop of recent public statements rejecting the proposed pan-Naga Hoho from Nagaland-based organisations and leaders.

It maintained that some Naga leaders have put the cart before the horse, and “continue to confuse the general populace”.

“The contentious issue of pan-Naga Hoho needs to be seriously perused. The Naga Hoho is of the opinion that, pan-Naga Hoho should be well-defined organs for development of Naga areas and to work for Naga integration in future, but not merely a cultural body, which will directly benefit the Naga people in general irrespective of regions or areas and a precursor to the aspiration of the Nagas for integration.

“It is astounding to see that some organisations and political parties have started to express doubts and apprehension and went up to the extent of rejecting it, without even realising the content and structure of pan-Naga Hoho,” read the statement.

According to the organisation, Naga people will not accept any agreement that would further divide them. “Any solution confined to a particular state/area will be nothing but rather the beginning of another new chapter of chaos in the Naga society. The agreement must ensure that the Naga people are brought together under befitting political arrangement that would ensure the dignity and identity as a people.”

It went on to state that a platform, which integrates Nagas from all the regions, would ‘definitely strengthen the Nagas all the more rather than weakening or overpowering certain regions by others’.

“Inclusive and robust structure in the form of pan-Naga Hoho will give Nagas immense strength to address various issues in the larger interest of all sections of Naga family. When Nagas seek to liberate itself from oppressive and suppressive force, Nagas in their wisdom will never replete such repression and oppression by any leader or leadership. Therefore, Nagas having such a pan-Naga platform will be definitely liberating, empowering, ensuring the freedom and development of all sections of Nagas. The fear created by self or by others through one-sided prejudice speculations need to be broadened,” it stated.