Naga flag and constitution not negotiable, says Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights Secretary General

Our Reporter
Dimapur, March 25 (EMN): There is no Naga solution without flag and constitution and “these are not negotiable”, said Neingulo Krome, Secretary General of Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR).

He said this at a press conference on Friday, at Hotel Saramati in Dimapur.

Krome said that ‘our identity with the flag and constitution’ was there long before even the NSCN had come into existence with the NNC hoisting the flag in 1947 and the constitution slowly followed. He added that today every village and area is governed by it and the “Nagas have every right to have our own constitution”.

He said that the Naga political issue would not have been dragged on this long and solved long ago if all the Naga political groups (NPGs) come together. In the meantime, he alleged that “even the division (within NPGs) is called by New Delhi and this will be a game to divide the people to keep the solution unachievable”.

He added that ‘the Nagas must realise the works of the enemies who come as friends and divide us’.

Commenting on suggestion of a legislator in the just concluded NLA session to impose President’s Rule for Naga political issue, he said “that should have happened long back if the state politicians are really sincere that the talk should be successfully concluded. Talks are being delayed because there are too many interference from here and there, and actually it is the state politicians who should not interfere, but be a facilitator or promoter”.

Jagmohan Singh, a human rights activist, stated that they stand with the Naga people for their rights, sovereignty and self-dignity. He said it is a case of broken promises by Indian leadership, adding that Punjab is also suffering the same pain.

He, therefore, cautioned the Nagas not to trust their (Indian leaders) verbal words, or even the written assurance but be cautious while dealing with New Delhi.

To the various working groups, he said the struggle is theirs and they should see how India is dividing the people. He said that they must listen to their conscience and unite, and ‘even if they do not want to come under one platform, they should not work against each others because their interest is common and that interest is to defend and protect the people’.

Singh further opined that struggling nations that are at the receiving end are concerned to save the peace when it should have been the government of India that should be concerned to save the peace.

Kanwarpal Singh, Senior Leader (Dal Khalsa) said that the word “development and border security” have been used to suppress right. ‘Our goal is our self respect, our dignity, our right to self-rule should be respected,’ he said.

He also claimed that the government will always resort to diversion and division tactics, so it the wisdom of the people that keep a movement going.

Atso Venuh, member of NPMHR, also said that Nagas have fought for so long. “Now we are not fighting for upgrading of the state, but many people were killed and villages destroyed while fighting for identity and the identity is flag,” he stated, adding that identity can’t be surrendered.

Krome informed that participants from 11 Indian states, who attended the conclave organised by NPMHR on March 25 in Dimapur, had expressed solidarity with Naga peoples’ desire for honourable and lasting peace.

He added that the house unanimously adopted the following resolutions:

• Indo-Naga political talks must be supported and protected till it achieves the desirable goal of honourable and lasting peace for both the parties in the talks.
• The Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015 at Delhi is a solemn commitment between the Naga people and the Government of India to bring about a dignified peace into the hitherto strife-torn land. Any attempt to dilute or revise it will undo all that has been achieved during the more than two-and-half decade-old Indo-Naga peace process.
• It is a matter of grave concern that the peace process since 2019 has degenerated into a statement despite change of interlocutor. This house, therefore urges that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to take direct control of the negotiation. Negotiation at the highest level is the best resource to safeguard the talks from the vicissitudes of bureaucracy.