Key Points
Nagas seek political recognition through international platforms
Framework Agreement marks significant diplomatic milestone
NSCN-IM demands separate flag and integrated territories
Addressing the 46th raising day celebration of the NSCN-IM at the outfit's headquarters 'Hebron', Vice Chairman Tongmeth Wangnao said that the Indian government gave official recognition to the rights of the Nagas on two historic occasions.
He said that the first official recognition of the uniqueness of Naga history was on July 11, 2002, in an Amsterdam meeting, and was followed by the Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015, in New Delhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the architect of the historic agreement.
Significantly, PM Modi was accompanied by a whole host of top-level ministers like the then Home Minister Rajnath Singh, as well as National Security Advisor Ajit Doyal, the Chief of Army Staff, and other high dignitaries who matter.
"The NSCN-IM was equally represented by the presence of its entire collective leadership. These two official recognitions are the indelible milestones that the world has come to know about the India-Naga political negotiations. Significantly, the signing ceremony of the Framework Agreement was given high-profile political status when the whole programme was live telecast for the world to bear witness," Wangnao said.
He said that for the past more than 27 years, "we have been talking with the government of India on the strength of truth behind the Naga political movement. However, it is very unfortunate that the government agencies have indulged themselves in unethical conduct to create many enemies behind the Naga political talks led by NSCN-IM".
"We should put on the whole armour of God, and stay strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. No wonder, it is our bounden duty to defend our country, our people and our legitimate rights for self-determination to define our political identity as a nation. In the process, I am proud to say that the NSCN was able to justify our political movement on international platforms and finally got admitted into UNPO as a bona fide member, followed by occasional forays in the UN human rights and indigenous forums. This international factor certainly added weight to our negotiation that led to the signing of the inalienable Framework Agreement that recognises our sovereign rights as a nation."
The NSCN-IM leader said that while the fate of the Naga political talks is in the hands of God, "we need to give new meaning to our divine connection under the banner of 'Nagalim for Christ'".
The Union government has been holding political negotiations with the NSCN-IM since the signing of the ceasefire agreement in 1997 and also inked the Framework Agreement in 2015. The government also entered into parallel negotiations with the Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups, an amalgamation of at least seven Naga factions, in 2017. They signed the Agreed Position in November 2017. The NSCN-IM has remained firm on its demand for a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas as well as integration of Naga-inhabited areas spread over four northeastern states -- Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland, besides Myanmar.
