NSCN (IM) accuses NPC of hijacking Naga issue; launches scathing attack on Nagaland Governor

Dimapur, Nov. 30 (EMN): The NSCN (IM) has maintained that the history of Naga political struggle and the ongoing Indo-Naga political talk is a living testimony that the present Nagaland state is the brainchild of ‘a few treacherous Nagas that showed up in the name of Naga People’s Convention (NPC) hijacking the Naga issue without the concern of the bona fide freedom fighters’.

The group issued a statement on Monday saying that the Intelligence Bureau was employing its divisive game after getting hold of a few Nagas, especially government employees to join the bandwagon, taking the name as Naga People’s Convention.

“The Convention without the consent, support and participation of the Naga people arrived at an agreement called the 16 Points Agreement that was responsible for the creation of Nagaland as the 16th state of the Indian Union. This fragmented the Indian-occupied Naga territories by placing them into different administrative units of Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh.

“However, this failed to stop the political aspirations of the Naga people and the Nagas set off the political struggle with greater passion and determination as testified by the ongoing struggle. For the Nagas, the creation of Nagaland state as a result of manipulation and treachery has been recorded as an act of insult to the freedom fighters in particular and to the Naga people in general. For such a treacherous act being brought to live in the name of commemorating the formation of Nagaland state we condemn such an act of defiance,” read NSCN (IM)’s statement.

It stated that the role of NPC was rejected and condemned by “Naga freedom fighters including uncle AZ Phizo”.

According to the group, the 16-Point Agreement sowed the seeds of colonialism and division.

“The Naga people shall take the stand never to allow another political hijack to take place when the ongoing Indo-Naga political talks have already signed the ‘framework agreement’ to nullify any agreements of the past.

“NSCN and Naga people are fully aware of the divisive extraordinary involvement of Nagaland state governor Mr. RN Ravi behind this commemoration programme in order to justify his all out efforts to protect the 16 Points Agreement at all costs. Thus, Ravi’s stand is condemned by NSCN and Naga people,” the NSCN (IM)’s statement read.