Reaffirms FA as only basis for final settlement
NSCN (I-M) chief political negotiator and ato kilonser Th Muivah along with his wife Pakahao Muivah, on Wednesday arrived in Manipur’s Ukhrul district to visit his native village Somdal after more than 60 years, officials said.
A helicopter with the 91-year-old Naga leader on board landed on the Bakshi ground in the district headquarters, they said. Later a programme was organized at Tangkhul Naga Long ground in his honour.
Thousands of Naga women in their traditional attire and men holding spears and wearing headgears have turned up at the Ukhrul district headquarters to welcome Muivah. The helicopter later took him to Somdal, about 25 kms away, where a similar event was organised. Muivah, who is the principal negotiator in the Naga peace talks with the Centre, since the NSCN (I-M) entered into a ceasefire in 1997, is likely to stay in Somdal village for a week before departing for Dimapur via Senapati on October 29, an official said.
Muivah’s speech was read out by deputy ato kilonser ‘lt. gen.’V.S.Atem. Muivah in his speech said, “It is a moment of great joy for me to be with you today. My revolutionary journey began six decades ago here in 1964.
Muivah thanked God for preserving him to return to his birthplace six decades after beginning his revolutionary journey in 1964. He expressed gratitude to the organising committee, well-wishers, and the Governments of India, Nagaland, and Manipur for facilitating his visit.
In his speech, Muivah recalled that “after the formation of the NSCN, the Indo-Naga ceasefire and political peace process began on August 1, 1997. Thereafter, significant political milestones were achieved under the leadership of late chairman Isak Chishi Swu and myself as chief political negotiator.”
He cited three milestones– the 1997 ceasefire, the Amsterdam Joint Communiqué of July 11, 2002, and the Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015– as official recognitions of Nagalim’s unique history and sovereignty. He reiterated that the Naga national decision of August 14, 1947, and the 1951 plebiscite to remain a sovereign nation remained non-negotiable. Acknowledging the sacrifices of past leaders from various Naga tribes, Muivah paid tribute by mentioning names of several civl and military freedom fighters who laid down their lives defending Nagalim’s sovereignty.
Muivah also accused the Government of India of having betrayed the letter and spirit of the Framework Agreement by refusing to recognise the Naga national flag and constitution.
“We also want to make it clear to the GoI that the NSCN/GPRN does not recognize any other so-called “agreements” signed by the GoI with some factions to duplicate and sabotage the letter and spirit of the Amsterdam Joint Communiqué and the Framework Agreement,” Muivah stated.
He said the Framework Agreement, which recognises that “sovereignty lies with the people” and provides for “sharing of sovereign powers,” implicitly acknowledges the Naga national flag and constitution. “These are non-negotiable,” he asserted.
Muivah warned that India’s “divide and rule” policy could force Nagalim “back to the battlefield,” but added that the NSCN remained committed to an honourable settlement while being prepared to defend Nagalim’s freedom.
Declaring that “Nagalim shall be for Christ,” he thanked the churches for their prayers, the international community for its support, and national workers for their sacrifices. Muivah concluded by urging all Nagas to unite under the Framework Agreement and uphold the Naga national decision for sovereignty, saying the final settlement “shall be according to the will and purpose of Yahweh Almighty.”
Other leaders accompanying Muivah included member collective leadership and special emissary to the collective leadership Rh. Raising; longvibu (commander-in-chief) Naga Army, ‘gen.’ Ningkhan Shimray, general secretary Council of Nagalim Churches (CNC) Rev. Seksim Kasar, member collective leadership Rev. Puni Mao, convener of steering committee Hutovi Chishi and others.