NSCN (IM) leaders in Delhi to meet Muivah, not resume negotiations

Horam says Indo-Naga political solution cannot be doled out like a ‘Christmas gift or an Independence Day gift

Our Reporter
Dimapur, Aug. 8 (EMN): Ending all speculations, the NSCN (IM) has informed that its top leaders had left for New Delhi on August 7 for an internal consultation with their general secretary, Thuingaleng Muivah, and not for resumption of talks with the Centre.

Speaking to Eastern Mirror, V Horam, an executive member of the NSCN (IM)’s steering committee, said: “According to the outcome of that discussion, the next course of action will gradually take place; definitely peace talks will also take place but not sure when.”

He also dismissed reports that a final deal will be signed by or on August 15, while insisting that the negotiations are not time-bound.

Horam said that the Indo-Naga political solution is ‘not something like a Christmas gift or an Independence Day gift’.

“It is a question of both the sides coming to a meeting point; that is what is necessary. It can take one round or many rounds of talk to come to a solution,” stressed Horam.

When asked about the delay in arriving at an agreement between the negotiating parties, Horam shared that the interlocutor and governor of Nagaland, RN Ravi, has ‘misinterpreted the agreement by saying that all Naga issues will be resolved within the Indian Constitution’. This, he maintained, is not true.

“The agreement goes as such that the two entities will co-exist and share sovereignty; Nagas will not be under the Indian Constitution and we don’t accept to be under the Indian Union but co-exist as two entities,” said Horam.

“The inclusiveness talks about the entire Naga population, and Naga territories mean that we are not bound to specific territories or any section of people; solution will be one for the Naga issue,” Horam said, adding that this was agreed upon by both sides but the interlocutor was of the notion that Nagas will be under the purview of the Indian Constitution.

Citing another ‘hiccup’ in the process, Horam said that Ravi had portrayed Naga national workers as ‘gangsters’, with an attempt to turn the Naga issue into a ‘law and order issue’, and not political as intended.

Also putting an end to another speculation that chief negotiator Muivah was seriously ill and had flown to Delhi on a chartered flight for treatment, Horam clarified that it was a regular and routine check up that Muivah had gone for and not as reported.

“The general secretary went for a regular check up and we did not want to take risk of travelling on a passenger flight; he is in good health and it wasn’t convenient for him to travel back,” Horam informed, adding that Muivah will be in Delhi as long as it is required.