Naga Scholars Association (NSA) has adopted a communiqué on the ‘Framework Agreement’ stating that “solution to the Naga-India political issue must be on the unique history and situation of the Nagas.” NSA had organized a three-day workshop on ‘Naga-India Framework Agreement’ at Delhi University from August 13-15.
A statement issued by NSA president Dr. Zuchamo Yanthan, organizing committee convenor, Dr. Walunir and organizing secretary Dr. Kamei Aphun stated that the association along with 17 other participants adopted the ‘Communiqué’ during the workshop. NSA said that the communiqué was adopted in order to present the concerns and aspirations on the ongoing Naga-India political dialogue
While acknowledging the ‘Framework Agreement’ signed by the Naga collective leadership and the Central government, the participants reminded that the Naga-India conflict was “quintessentially a geo-political issue between the two entities.” In this regard, they maintained that the solution to the Naga-India issue must be “political, based on the rights and aspirations of the Nagas and based on the unique history and situation of the Nagas”, as recognised by the Government of India.
They further noted that the ideology of modern sovereign Naga nation rooted in shared socio-cultural experience, political aspiration and self-determination was made known to the world for the first time through the Memorandum of the Naga Club to the Simon Commission in 1929.
In pursuance of the conviction for self-determination, NSA said Nagas, under the aegis of Naga National Council declared Independence on 14 August 1947, a day before India was declared Independent.
The Naga declaration of independence was reaffirmed in the Naga Plebiscite of 1951 to dispel the manoeuvres and undermining elements of the Government of India and Government of Burma (Myanmar) on the legitimacy of the declaration of Naga independence in 1947. They however reminded that Nagas had “never entered into any treaty for merger with or annexation to any state, be it India or Burma (Myanmar)”.
Nagas were divided through different divisive instruments – Treaty of Yandabo (1826) signed between British-India and the King of Burma; 16-Point Agreement (1960) and Shillong Accord (1975), the communiqué stated.
As such, the communiqué asserted that the ongoing initiative for the Naga-India political settlement between the National Socialist Council of Nagalim and Government of India “should therefore take cognizance of the political realities and aspiration of the Nagas for self-determination”.
Territorial integration of the contiguous Naga areas should be part of the settlement, the communiqué stated, adding “the rights and aspiration of the Nagas to live together under one government is a political right”.
It said “any agreement that would be signed should accord Nagalim with legislative, executive, judiciary and financial powers outside the purview of the Union of India. The political structure of Nagalim should be democratic and representative.”
In this regard, the signatories urged Government of India “not to disrupt the unity of Nagas in the process of negotiation”, saying it would “delay and derail the political settlement of fulfilling the long cherished aspiration of the Nagas”.
While stating that the ongoing talks between Nagas and India for the last 19 years has created space of suspicion on the sincerity and political will of the Government of India, the signatories pointed out that “solution to the Naga-India problem must be sought within specific timeframe”.
It further asserted that solution to the Naga issue should not be diluted and sabotaged on the pretext of protecting territorial integrity of neighbouring states.
“The Nagas have suffered and sacrificed too long in their conviction and struggle for self-determination. So the process of negotiation should be inclusive of the rights and aspirations of the Nagas,” the communiqué stated.