NSCN(I-M) has unequivocally and strongly condemned the Changlangshu incident on May 3 where eight jawans were killed by “Khaplang faction and others” as it came at a time when Nagas were seeking peaceful political solution on ending the decades-old conflict with India.
In a statement through its MIP, NSCN(I-M) said a “wrong approach at this juncture is a failure to respond positively” and “consequently becomes a curse”.
It recalled the period when “Nagas and Indian state were locked in confrontation for decades” which led to destruction of houses and villages, army atrocities, rape, imprisonment, killing and summary execution took place “every time in our land.”
NSCN(I-M) said military confrontation took a heavy toll on both sides, not only combatants but children, old people and even domestic animals.
It said the “ugly war” uprooted villages and their social systems, social practices and values, religious and educational institution and “respect of humanity from the mind of aggressors.”
NSCN(I-M) said the “bitter reality” was that persecutions and killings brought no dividends on both parties but only self destruction, as “killing do not solve our problem.”
Realising the futility of seeking a military solution and to understand the political realities of the Nagas, NSCN(I-M) said India’s leaders including army generals concluded that “military solution is ruled out”. It cited then prime minister P.V.Narasimha Rao, who emphasised that since Naga issue was political, it called for a political solution.
It also cited then army chief Gen. Shankar Roy Chowdhury who said that “military solution was not possible”.
With the winds of change within the minds of India leaders-political and military- that led to declaration of cease fire and opened the door for political dialogue, NSCN(I-M) said Nagas appreciated the steps taken by Indian leaders as “this is an era of negotiation, not confrontation”.
NSCN(I-M) said “when there was fierce fighting in Nagalim between NSCN and the Indian army”, the Khaplang faction was “ a faithful ally of the Indian armed forces”.
However, it said the May 3 attack by NSCN(K) on their “surrogate mother, indicates a larger conspiracy to derail the Indo-Naga peace process” by NSCN(K) and others.
NSCN(I-M) said the Changlangshu incident has “serious negative ramifications” that should be dealt with firmly, considering the initiatives towards a lasting and peaceful solution of the “Indo-Naga issue”.
It was only by the grace of God and tireless efforts of Naga civil societies, continuous prayer support of Churches and the “correct approach of the leadership of both parties, that peace had become a reality in Nagalim”, it said.
NSCN(I-M) urged Nagas to know the “season and time and value this hard earned peace process” and that it was pointless “fighting and killing India army” when their political leaders had taken a bold step to work out a durable political solution.
NSCN(I-M) said “when we fight or talk, we do it with valid reason” but “killing the enemies for the sake of killing, is a non-political activity”.
NSCN(I-M) reiterated, that the Changlangshu incident was an attempt to sabotage the peace process and to abort it but vowed that it was “fully determined to go ahead with the talks in the face of all odds”.