Reiterating its stand on integration of contiguous Naga-inhabited areas, NSCN (I-M) has taken strong exception to the recent purported statement made by chief minister Neiphiu Rio in New Delhi vis-à-vis the integration.
In a press release issued through its MIP, NSCN (I-M) said Rio’s statement– which it termed “irrational and irresponsible”– was a direct challenge to the Naga national cause.
NSCN (I-M) questioned the chief’s minister’s authority “to barter legitimate rights of the Nagas in open market for personal glory”. It also asked whom he was trying to please by “surrendering” the history and legitimate right of the Nagas. It said such a treacherous attempt to enhance personal political ambition at the expense of the Nagas’ right was a “deliberate insult” to the Naga people’s sentiment.
NSCN (I-M) asserted that Nagas would stand their ground “to the last man”, over the hard-earned political achievement which had come at the cost of untold sufferings and supreme sacrifices rendered by thousands of Naga sons and daughters. It said no individual or organisation had the license to “talk cheaply on the history of our people”.
Further MIP also stressed that the issue of integration of all Naga territories was an integral part of the ongoing Indo-Naga political dialogue. It therefore, reiterated that Naga territories which had been kept apart “arbitrarily and indiscriminately” by the British and then further divided between Burma (now Myanmar) and India under Jawaharlal Nehru, was without the knowledge and consent of Naga people and therefore, totally unacceptable. “Just as there cannot be a kingdom without territory, so the Indo-Naga political talks sans integration of all the contiguous Naga areas will be a futile exercise”, it stated.
NSCN (I-M) also mentioned that in recognition of the uniqueness of Nagas’ history and situation by Government of India (GoI), the Framework Agreement was signed of August 3, 2015. It said both parties agreed and recognised that integration of all contiguous Naga areas was a legitimate right of the Naga people and that it was mutually agreed that the matter would be pursued through earnest political democratic process.
Pointing out that after 21 years of negotiations India and Naga people were set to culminate into a final deal to resolve the oldest political problem of the South East Asia, NSCN (I-M) warned that any attempt to undermine or disturb the peace process at this crucial juncture, without being able to make head or tail of the negotiation, would not be tolerated.
It also reminded Nagas, wherever they are, to think and speak in one political language and also called upon them to remain vigilant and alert and distinguish between what was true and false. NSCN (I-M) reminded that the greatest challenge today was to remain truthful and committed to the historical decision, even as it reaffirmed not to compromise historical rights for positions, power and to please the enemies.
“We shall not remain silent spectators against any divisive forces within or without, who tries to betray the Naga cause and their history,” the statement warned.