NSCN (I-M)’s joint parliamentarians consultative meeting of Southern Zone, which was held at Ecological Park, Mayangkhang, Senapati district on September 8, 2023, reaffirmed to stand by the “Framework Agreement” signed on August 3, 2015 and declared “No Naga flag, no solution”, “No Constitution, no solution” and “Under Indian Constitution, no solution”.
NSCN (I-M) through its MIP informed that ‘lt. gen.’ (retd.) V.S.Atem, collective leadership, while speaking at the meeting, impressed upon the members that they would have to bear all the inconveniences as the Naga issue mattered to all “at this turning point” of Naga history when the “Indo-Naga” political talks was at a critical stage.
He also urged the members to exercise responsibility as serving the Naga nation was not without sacrifices.
Highlighting Naga history, Atem said that two Prime Ministers of India—Jawaharlal Nehru and Morarji Desai—were critical of the Naga political issue and made disparaging remarks “with their crude manners”, but Nagas proved them wrong for their “irresponsible recklessness.”
He said that political resoluteness of the Naga political struggle was the “driving force that has taken us this far.” Atem said Nagas after the declaration of Naga Independence on August 14, 1947 launched peaceful movement as they boycotted the Indian general election consecutively, in 1952 and 1957.
He said Nagas refused to join the Union of India when more than 500 princely states joined Union of India. Atem also asserted that Naga political struggle has come thus far because Nagas have the political courage to assert their rights. “We have to stand upright as history will judge us how we stand up for our rights,” Atem maintained.
In his keynote address, kilo kilonser ‘maj.’ (Retd.) Kewe Mero reminded the members never to forget the hard achievements of “Indo-Naga” political talks ever since it started after the signing of ceasefire in 1997.
He said Nagas have firmly asserted their historical and political identity after negotiating its way to get official recognition of the government of India on the “unique history of the Nagas and situation” and followed by the historic “Framework Agreement”.
Chaplee kilonser, Zhehoto Awomi, urged the members to maintain moral integrity and discipline in all respect in order to guard the image of NSCN as the bona fide Naga national organization fighting for the political rights of the Nagas.
Education kilonser Jongpong Sashi called upon the members not to lag behind in introspection and examine if they were giving heart and soul for the Naga national cause. He called upon the members to work fearlessly but in closeness with God.
Collective Leadership member Meyong Phom called upon the members to realize how the Naga nation wants them to be righteous leaders to face the huge task at hand. He reminded how God has been with the Nagas when “solid political foundation” was laid with the signing of the historic Framework Agreement. He maintained that NSCN today was facing aggressive forces to drive the Naga solution away from Framework Agreement.