NSCN (IM) leader Raising warns against misinterpreting Framework Agreement

DIMAPUR — Rh. Raising, senior NSCN (IM) leader and member of the Collective Leadership, has cautioned against interpreting the Framework Agreement (FA) of 2015 from the perspective of the Indian constitution.

In a statement issued on Friday, Raising highlighted that numerous groups—including the NSCN itself, state politicians, civil society organisations, church leaders, intellectuals, and even Indian leaders—speak of unity and a solution to the Naga issue.

However, he argued that the core issue lies not in simply achieving unity or a solution but in the fundamental basis upon which these are built. He criticised past attempts at negotiation, citing the 16-Point Agreement and the Shillong Accord of 1975 as examples of agreements that failed to meet Naga aspirations.

Raising emphasised that the FA “recognises the unique history of Naga independence; the sovereignty of the Nagas, the identity of the Nagas, the territory of the Nagas, and the integration of all Nagas areas. It also says peaceful coexistence of the two entities sharing sovereign power.”

He also highlighted provisions for joint defence against external threats. “The Nagas will be using Indian passport with Naga nationality/Indian for a certain period of time. There will be a joint venture in the case of drilling oil in Nagalim. But Nagas will exercise their sovereign power in the matter of their own affairs,” the statement read.

He went on to state that in the past, the Indians and the Nagas took diametrically opposite stands, but the FA “is one of the options where India and Nagas can meet.”

“It is one of the options for a solution, but never a roadblock. It will be a great mistake on the part of the Indian and Naga leaders who interpret the FA from Indian constitutional perspective. The problem is political which calls for a political solution. It is never a constitutional problem of India,” he asserted.

Moreover, since the government of India has recognised the sovereignty of the Nagas, “no one can twist its interpretation.”

Further, referring to NSCN (IM) leader Th. Muivah’s assertion that a solution without flag and constitution would be unacceptable to the Naga people, Raising asserted that the Naga flag and constitution are the composite materials of sovereignty.

“Solution without Naga flag and constitution would be a repetition of the past mistakes,” he said, adding that it would be an irreparable loss if the Naga people fail to secure their rights.