DIMAPUR, JUNE 27 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) has today denounced the Nagaland Higher & Technical Education Minister Temjen Imna Along Longkumer’s recent statement on Indo-Naga relations and accused the latter of "making nonsensical statements, insensitive of the Naga people’s struggle and sacrifice.”
The NSCN (IM)’s Ministry of Information and Publicity (MIP) a press release stated that the Minister's making claims that “Nagas are Indians” and “non Nagas should find a place in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly” point to his "wanting to be in the good books of the political bosses in New Delhi."
“It is never the desire of NSCN to particularize any Naga political leader on the issue related to Naga national identity because we want everyone, irrespective of political affiliation, to work together in unison on Naga issue without taking any divergent stand,” the release said. However, it maintained that it “becomes a serious matter” when somebody start “exploiting his position and take liberty to make idiotic statement which has a direct bearing on the historical and national identity of the Nagas.”
Terming Longkumer’s statement as lowering the credibility of the Naga political leaders and going against the national interest of the Nagas, it maintained that the sanctity of Naga history is not to be tampered with for vested interests.
On that note, it said that the Nagas have come a long way ever since declaring Naga Independence on August 14, 1947 with the Government of India giving recognition to the unique history and situation of the Nagas. The signing of the Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015 has further cemented that status, which, it maintained, “recognizes the sovereign identity of the Nagas.”
It added that the Minister should stand himself as a responsible Naga and restrain himself from making reckless and misleading statements.
