NSCN-IM top leaders, military commanders and representatives from 5 Naga regions met at 'emergency national assembly' at camp headquarters at Hebron near Dimapur and decided to stick to their earlier demands on Flag
and Constitution.
"They declined to give up the twin demands on Naga Flag and a separate Constitution...but say - "if invited by Govt of India, we will continue with talks" - it has been claimed.
In raw sense, if these preliminary reports are correct, so now if Govt. of India does not invite them, the talks would fail and perhaps Ceasefire started in August 1997 during IK Gujral regime will have to be abrogated.
the local-outsiders debate --- a long lasting feature in northeast and also including Nagaland - has taken a new twist
"Nagaland today is a land where tenants, with GOI's help, dream to be landlords through hackling, harassing and brutalizing the owners with symbolic tools like Integration, flag, constitution, Pan Naga Hoho etc.
Who has played into the hands of India? Since 1997, Nagaland has lost two generations and counting.
-- said NNPG in a strongly worded statement vis-a-vis 'Nagas of Manipur' and in the context of dominant role they have been playing in insurgency and the ongoing peace parleys
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| Kitovi: NNPG convener |
The NNPG Working Committee further stated :
"Immediately after 1988 crisis, having warmly welcomed by hospitable Nagas into Nagaland, southern Naga IM civil and military officers did not own a hut then.
Today, in the name of political dialogue, GoI has facilitated southern Naga IM leaders to extort our people and utilize much of Nagaland's money to buy and develop farmlands in Dimapur, Chumukedima and Peren districts.
Constructing mansions and other assets in Dimapur, Ukhrul, in India and abroad. With such grandiose luxury accumulated over three decades, it is very easy to hide behind powerful slogans like greater Nagalim, flag, constitution etc., to soak in the wealth of Nagaland for few more decades.
"...It is a matter of great satisfaction that the dialogue between the Government of India and NSCN have successfully concluded..." (FA 3rd Aug. 2015.). Why haven't this great satisfaction been shared with the Nagas till date? Did the propaganda campaign misled GoI in 2015? Where is the post settlement political and administrative structure if it has successfully concluded? This is about a people's history, land and political future, not a small boy's chocolate to be kept inside a pocket.
In 25 years of ceasefire and dialogue there have been two mutually beneficial agendas at work.
1. ASSIMILATION AND INDIANISATION OF NAGALAND:
Beginning from 1997, the GoI has utilized the time and energy to assimilate Naga people, their identity, history, culture and their ancestral land, primarily Nagaland state, into a "pressure cooker" social and economic pandemonium. Both knew Indianization of Nagaland state will lead to indianization of entire Naga homeland.
This will serve both southern Naga IM leaders and GoI well. Brazen utterances like, "Nagaland will cease to exist" is not a silly plan. As it is, Nagaland today is a land where tenants, with GOI's help, dream to be landlords through hackling, harassing and brutalizing the owners with symbolic tools like Integration, flag, constitution, Pan Naga Hoho etc. Who has played into the hands of India? Since 1997, Nagaland has lost two generations and counting. What do GoI or IM leaders care? None. It suits their plan perfectly.
2. AMASSING WEALTH OF NAGALAND: Immediately after 1988 crisis, having warmly welcomed by hospitable Nagas into Nagaland, southern Naga IM civil and military officers did not own a hut then. Today, in the name of political dialogue, GoI has facilitated southern Naga IM leaders to extort our people and utilize much of Nagaland's money to buy and develop farmlands in Dimapur, Chumukedima and Peren districts. Constructing mansions and other assets in Dimapur, Ukhrul, in India and abroad.
With such grandiose luxury accumulated over three decades, it is very easy to hide behind powerful slogans like greater Nagalim, flag, constitution etc., to soak in the wealth of Nagaland for few more decades.
This is again mutually beneficial drama. Grim reality and visible catastrophe staring at Nagaland and all Nagas cannot be prevented by wrapping oneself cozy in extra large Naga flag, unwritten Naga constitution or Naga integration. These elements will be most precious and desirable if Naga tribes rely on practical aspect rather than be a slave to sentiment and emotion.
Two years after the music died and the dust settled on Framework Agreement, as demanded by the Naga tribes, the Church, Village headmen and apex Naga civil societies, WC, NNPGs, in its Agreed Position signed with GoI on 17th November 2017, redefined the scope and parameters of Indo-Naga political negotiations.
No camera flashlights, no hype or hoopla was needed. That afternoon, the Naga delegation experienced a solemn moment with thankful hearts, sat at a round table when a historic document was signed. GoI acknowledged, "...GoI recognises the political and historical rights of the Nagas to self determine their future in consonance with their distinct identity..." God never fails. This has an unlimited political horizon to begin the negotiations. To an unwavering Naga patriot, the paragraph dutifully honoured the Naga aspiration and echoed the immortal words of Mahatma Gandhi at Bhangi Colony spoken to NNC leaders in the month of July, 1947.
Within this document lay the very fabric of Naga Flag and all others, symbolic or otherwise. Despite the vigorous process of assimilation going on, WC, NNPGs have great belief that there is an opportunity for an early acceptable and honourable political solution that would pave the way for Nagas to salvage our ancient democracy, history and culture. Nagas must insist, reassert and defend our land as per Agreed Position and then partner GoI for an enduring peaceful co-existence.
God Bless Nagaland! - Media Cell, WC, NNPGs.
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| Blogger : 'Plain manu' : Once upon a time in Nagaland |
"Nagas of Nagaland have no choice but to take a look back at our History of National Movement that amply records the fact that our Southern brothers of Manipur declined to join the movement when the Nagas needed them the most.
Yet today they have a stranglehold on not only the organization called NSCN (IM) but also spearheading the negotiation with the GoI…trying to decide the fate of the Nagas of Nagaland without letting us know exactly what our future is going to look like". - Khekiye K Sema IAS (Retd), in 'Morung Express'
Unthinkable happens ! Nagaland BJP flays NSCN-IM, says ‘Nagas need to know truth’
"They need to let the public know what they think and want. We need leaders that represent the voice of the people and not those who shy away when their thoughts and opinions matter the most".
Days after the NSCN (IM) issued a statement taking exception to Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton's certain remarks on the peace parleys and perceived delay in arriving at a solution, the BJP Nagaland on Sunday hit out at the militant group saying "Nagas need to know the truth".
"Right now, our leaders need to speak out for it is high time now... Nagas need to know the truth as the Naga political issue and its related problems are not something which have to be kept in the dark; everybody deserves to know what is going on and what will happen," a statement from BJP Nagaland's media cell said.
It said the BJP Nagaland unit has "always been at the forefront in advocating an early and amicable solution to the long-standing Naga political issue. And despite the multitude of opinions and allegations hurled against our legislators in recent times, it needs to be accepted by all if we are really craving for a solution".
"We need to be more vocal about what is happening, what we want to achieve, what we need to hold on to, and what we need to let go. Those blaming a few legislators for being vocal and voicing their opinions also need to understand that the legislators in a way also represent the voice of the Centre and cannot be ignored or dismissed," the statement said.
Notably, the saffron party's statement came a day after the core committee led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and Deputy CM Patton (BJP floor leader in the Assembly) held a meeting with an NSCN-IM delegation led by V.S. Atem, a longtime aide of the militant group's powerful general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah.
"At this crucial juncture, when all our leaders need to speak out, it is disheartening that some leaders and their party are maintaining a stoic silence over the matter, despite holding influential positions like leading the core committee, as ignoring it will in no way add anything to our collective aspirations of the long-standing political solution," the BJP statement said.
IANS piece Link
It asserted that "BJP Nagaland shall never shy from advocating what is needed to be told because we stand with the Nagas in its aspirations for an honourable and acceptable solution".
It is a rare occasion that an established national party has gone on record to join issue with NSCN (IM) or any such militant organisation.
There is a perceived feeling among a section of Naga leaders, common people and also important players in New Delhi that there is a deliberate attempt to delay the solution as 'the status quo' suits some vested interests, including a section of established political stars in the state.
On May 27, the NSCN (IM) had expressed concern at the recent "outrageous" statements made by Nagaland BJP ministers and NPF leaders on the Naga political solution with reference to the Framework Agreement of 2015, Naga Flag, a separate Constitution and integration of Naga contiguous areas.
It had said that many of the Nagaland BJP ministers and other party leaders are "not able to fully appreciate the complexities and intricacies involved and are simply allowing themselves to be carried away by their election syndrome".
Patton had recently used strong words with regard to attempts being made by certain quarters to delay the solution, saying: "Some big (perhaps militant) leaders do not want a solution. They want to keep relaxing and enjoying the comforts of life with money collected through extortion and taxes.
"If this continues, I would say, go to hell. You won't go to heaven. How can you go to heaven by causing so much hardship to the public? We must come out openly now. It is high time. Enough is enough."
NPF leader Kuzholuzo Azo Nienu had also referred to the Framework Agreement of 2015, saying the potent NSCN (IM) group has "sealed its fate" and has virtually endorsed the Constitution of India by inking the same.
Therefore, he said, it is high time "for NSCN-IM to say whether they take it or leave it" vis-a-vis the flag and the separate Constitution demands.
The Centre has more than once categorically rejected the twin demands of flag and Constitution.
Sources said that the top concerned players in the government have conveyed to Nagaland Chief Minister and even the likes of former Chief Minister S.C. Jamir to convey to the Naga people to appreciate that when the Centre took strong steps with regard to Jammu and Kashmir, how could a flag or a separate Constitution could be given to Nagaland.
NPF leader Azo Neinu said that in the given context, the stance taken by the government of India is to be appreciated as it has decided to allow the use of the Naga flag for cultural programmes.
"In fact, the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) and the Home Minister (Amit Shah) are willing to visit Nagaland and also hoist the Naga flag for any cultural event. As a regional politician often taking stance against the BJP, I must appreciate that the government of India has gone all out to accommodate the request and demand of the Naga leaders," Neinu said.
However, the NSCN-IM has rejected this proposal too, saying that Naga flag could not be used merely for cultural activities.
The government sources say that the twin demands of flag and Constitution were raised by NSCN-IM only after October 31, 2019 when the officials claimed formal talks were already over.
Website e-pao, Manipur
Link
Full text:
Dated , 29th May 2022
Kohima: Nagaland.
Press Statement.
1.The BJP Nagaland State unit has always been at the forefront in advocating an early and amicable solution of the long standing Naga political issue. And despite the multitude of opinions and allegations hurled against our legislators in recent times, it needs to be accepted by all if we are really craving for a solution. We need to be more vocal about what is happening, what we want to achieve, what we need to hold on to, and what we need to let go. Those blaming a few legislators for being vocal and voicing out their opinions also need to understand that the Legislators , in a way also represent the voice of the Centre and cannot be ignored or dismissed. Rather, they should be appreciated for voicing out- stating the undeniable and uncomfortable truth that we all know and going through but aren't comfortable enough to say it out loud in public.
2.At this crucial juncture, when all our leaders need to speak out, it is disheartening that some leaders and their party are maintaining comfortably stoic silence over the matter;despite holding influential positions like leading the Core Committee, as ignoring it will in no way add anything to our collective aspirations of the long standing political solution. They need to let the public know what they think and want. We need leaders that represent the voice of the people and not those who shy away when their thoughts and opinions matter the most.
Right now, our leaders need to speak out, for it is high time - and BJP, as a political party, will continue to do its part in facilitating an early and amicable solution because Nagas needs to know the truth as Naga Political issue and its related problem is not something which has to be kept in the dark: everybody deserved to know what is going on and what will happen.
BJP Nagaland shall never shy off from advocating what is needed to be told because we stand with the Nagas in its aspirations for an honorable and acceptable solution.
Issued by;
State Media Cell,
BJP Nagaland.
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