No scope for separate talk on Naga flag and constitution in framework agreement, says NSCN-IM

Dimapur, Oct. 30 (EMN): The NSCN (IM) has accused the government of India of ‘distorting’ the ‘framework agreement’ by having a ‘separate talk’ on the issue of Naga flag and constitution.

In a statement issued on Friday, the group asserted that the ‘framework agreement’ embraces the Naga flag and the constitution.

“It should be understood that ‘framework agreement’ that speaks of the unique history of the Naga people and their sovereign independence identity embraces the flag and constitution. There is no scope provided to have separate talk on Naga flag and constitution. By having separate talk on flag and constitution, GoI is sending a wrong signal that is not in sync with the ‘framework agreement’,” read the statement.

It went on to state that the GoI should not undo its commitment and backtrack from the ‘framework agreement’ by distorting what has been agreed upon.

“Even the appointment of the then (sic) interlocutor as Nagaland state governor is believed to have been deliberately done with the sinister design to undo his own signature from the framework agreement,” the statement read.

The NSCN (IM) stated that respecting each other’s position, shared sovereignty was defined in the competencies.

“Accordingly, how certain part of Naga sovereignty and vice versa was to be shared with union of India was defined in the competencies. With this arrangement, we are confident that it will provide for an enduring inclusive new relationship of peaceful coexistence of the two entities…the ‘framework agreement’ is not far off for any layman to understand, that the identity of one is not dismissed, lost or demeaned in any manner that defines peaceful coexistence of two entities. We have stoutly defended our political identity,” it stated.