‘No pleasure gained’ in delaying Naga settlement, says NSCN (IM)

DIMAPUR — The NSCN (IM) on Friday asserted that there is ‘no pleasure gained’ in prolonging the Naga political settlement and instead, expressed frustration with the Government of India’s perceived ‘delaying tactics’ in the Indo-Naga political talks.

“The delaying tactics of the government of India have become the bane of Indo-Naga political talks. This is something the world has been keenly observing,” it said in a statement, in response to recent comments made by Imkong L Imchen, Advisor for Information and Public Relations and Soil and Water Conservation.

Earlier on October 23, Imchen had said that the Naga peace talks were evolving into a “complaint syndrome” and expressed pessimism over the prospects of a resolution to the Naga political issue.

Acknowledging the statement, the NSCN (IM) criticised Imchen for ‘changing his political affiliations from Congress to NPF to BJP over the years’.

“In principle, NSCN is not against BJP or any other political party. We are simply against political opportunists like Imkong who had joined the BJP party hunting for personal benefits and now spitting venom against NSCN negotiators,” it clarified.

The NSCN (IM) went on to state that “the divisive politics of Imkong is poisonous for Naga people,” and affirmed its commitment to “March ahead unnerved of unethical critics”.

It also highlighted its commitment to the Framework Agreement signed in 2015 and the protection of Naga people’s sovereign identity.

Emphasising its dedication to the Naga political settlement, the NSCN (IM) stated that it knows what it takes to handle the Naga political issue after the ceasefire in 1997.

“The complexity of the Naga issue we know better while sitting across the negotiating table with the representatives of the government of India. We know how to safeguard the historical and political rights of the Nagas and we know how to get tough lest Nagas are flattered again like what happened in the past,” it asserted.

On the issue of the Naga flag and constitution, it questioned Imchen’s credibility in Naga politics, asking if he had “sold out his identity as a Naga after joining BJP and the right of the Naga people for flag and constitution”.

“On the core issue of flag and constitution, NSCN negotiators have made the position very loud and clear and he must have the political maturity to acknowledge that the ball is in the court of GOI,” read the statement.

It may be mentioned that Imchen had expressed concern over the ongoing negotiations and the lack of progress, as well as his pessimism about the negotiating parties’ willingness to find a solution. He also touched on issues related to state boundaries, the “Agreed Position,” the demand of Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation (ENPO), and delimitation in Nagaland.

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