Nagas from Manipur including Muivah, Raising must "desist from commenting on the future of Nagaland", says NNPG

"Perhaps fearing that Tangkhul leaders won’t benefit much from Nagaland state in the event of solution, the chorus for separate flag and constitution, elements that defines absolute sovereign nations, became their excuse and a means to perpetuate extortion and exploitation of the resources of Naga people and also a bargaining chip to negotiate resettlement for themselves in Intangki reserved forest area and Hebron camp. 

The fact is, this area is not a territory of Manipur state. It belongs to the people of Nagaland." -- NNPG

The Peace and Solution Agreement between Naga militant bodies and the centre and creation of an autonomous council in Eastern Nagaland bordering Myanmar will be two crucial moves from Delhi this summer before or by  monsoon session of  Parliament. 

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Things may be still burning in Manipur and the central government and other authorities are working overtime to calm the violent atmosphere, things are at flux in neighbouring NDPP-BJP ruled Nagaland. 

The state government has convened a crucial meeting on June 30 to discuss the demand of Autonomous Council by people from Eastern Nagaland from Tuensang-Mon region.   

More actions and political moves are likely in the next few weeks in the run up to the Monsoon session of Parliament with regard to the violence-hit northeastern region and states such as Manipur and Nagaland.

On the other hand, the NNPG, an umbrella body of seven Naga underground groups, has said that the 'Nagas from Manipur' state including the NSCN-IM must "desist from commenting on the future of Nagaland (state)".

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In an article published in local newspapers, the organisation, which is keen to ink a final peace pact with the Government of India says, "If protecting the territory of Manipur is in the best interest of Tangkhuls, why would Mr. Thuingaleng Muivah (NSCN-IM general secretary) and his Nagaland based members oppose or object to the tribes of Nagaland protecting their inherent right?".

"....who is meddling in the affairs of other people’s history and land, especially in Intanki (region) Nagaland. Historical and political foundation of a people or nation can only be retained by defending one’s own native hills and valleys first. One cannot simply write in newspaper columns and enforce rules upon the land or people which they do not own or belong to. It is an offence, an unwelcome intrusion into the social, political and economic spheres of the people of Nagaland." 

The NNPG statement may sound bitter and caustic towards some leaders and communities, but it may give a push to the ongoing peace talks as largely the NSCN-IM was so far stalling the concept of a Solution agreement between the Modi government and Naga rebel groups including NSCN(IM) led by Muivah and the NNPG led by N Kitovi Zhimomi.

The NSCN-IM basic stance since 2019 -- when according to Govt of India the discussions have been completed -- is that no Solution can come without recognition to Naga Flag and a separate Naga Constitution. The demands have been rejected more than once by the centre and even NNPG is not quite excited about the idea of a flag or the separate Naga constitution.

The NNPG article further says, "Any attempt to perpetuate and create a distorted political landscape in Nagaland is illegal due to the fact that neither Mr.  Muivah nor Mr. Rh. Raising (senior NSCN-IM leader and aso a Tangkhul) own an inch of land in Nagaland by inheritance or lineage. To scuttle the Indo- Naga political solution should not be the sole purpose of existence on earth".

The NNPGs’ sincere counsel to all Tangkhul leaders is that expediting peaceful transition to their homeland in Manipur, availing advantage of the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process will most certainly benefit their children, grandchildren and future generations, it said. 

The NNPG statement must be also seen from the perspective of a resolution adopted recently by Meitei groups and Tangkhul Naga Village elders in Manipur. 

The Tangkhul Naga chiefs and Meiteis in a meeting in Manipur under the theme, “KNOW YOUR IDENTITY” asserted that both sides will strive to 'defend the territorial integrity' of Manipur state. 

The resolution was crucial as Kukis had urged the Nagas (tribals and Christians) to support the demand for a Separate Administration for tribals in Manipur in view of the unprecedented ethnic violence that began on May 3. 

The Nagas and Meiteis (majority Hindus from the valley areas of Manipur) have decided to stick together and rejected the claims of Kukis even as in 2001 there have been violent clashes between Meiteis and Nagas of Manipur. 

The NNPG statement also said that - "A person or persons from Manipur cannot and has no right to lectures on the political future of Nagaland. Simply put, their home addresses will always remain Manipur state! Mr. Rh. Raising or any Manipur Naga must desist from commenting on the future of Nagaland in relation to natural wealth like rivers, lakes, forests, minerals etc., as it challenges the intelligence of Nagaland tribes". 

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The NNPG also wondered what would be reaction of Tanghkul civil society if NNPG leader Kitovi Zhimomi says something on "minerals, rivers, streams, forests and other resources in and around Ukhrul district of Manipur".

Herein lies the crux of the entire debate and unending conflicts, it says adding, "The entire indigenous tribes of Nagaland, collectively or individually, have never ever disturbed the political, social and economic aspirations of Manipur Nagas".

Meanwhile, all eyes are on the June 30 consultative meeting convened by the Nagaland government to deliberate on the "provisions" of the proposed proposal of the Government of India for constitution of an “Autonomous Council” for the six eastern districts– Tuensang, Mon, Longleng, Kiphire, Shamator and Noklak.

In a notification, principal secretary (Home) Abhijit Sinha said that chief minister Neiphiu Rio, two deputy CMs, T R Zeliang (NDPP), Y Patton (BJP), Assembly Speaker, all ministers, MPs, along with chief secretary and senior government officials will be present in the meeting.  

The seven tribes from the region - Konyaks, Sangtams, Changs, Phoms, Khiamniungans, Yimchungrus and Tikhirs are demanding creation of Frontier Nagaland Territory as an autonomous body with adequate financial powers. In 2022 December these tribes had stayed away from the state government sponsored annual tourism extravaganza of Hornbill Festival hosted in the state capital Kohima.  

The Eastern Nagaland Public Organisation (ENPO) leaders had met Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla in Delhi last week and reportedly made forward movement in the discussions in the process of  creation of the new body. 

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Analysts feel an early Peace and Solution Agreement between Naga militant bodies and the centre and creation of an autonomous council in Eastern Nagaland bordering Myanmar will be two crucial moves from Delhi by the time Parliament is convened for the monsoon session.  

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ends 

What will be his North East 'Ashta Lakshmi' legacy?