Kohima, May 25 (MExN): The Naga Hoho has reminded the United Committee of Manipur (UCM) that Naga people in Manipur State are party to the Indo-Naga ceasefire as well as the Framework Agreement signed between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India (GoI).
“It will be a tragic travail to sabotage the peace initiative being endorsed and taken up with the support of United Nations’ agencies, Unrepresented Peoples’ Organization and other democratic nations,” stated the Naga Hoho in a press statement today endorsed by its Communication Cell.
The press statement took “strong exception” to the “unwarranted ultimatum” issued by the UCM on the extension of ceasefire to all Naga areas, which was published in Manipur local dailies on May 23. The UCM had given 72 hours to the State and Central Governments to explain if the ceasefire agreement between NSCN (IM) and the GoI was applicable to Manipur State.
“This is not the first time but the UCM have been provoking the Nagas from time to time on sensitive issues. The statement has come at a time when the peace-loving people are all eagerly waiting for the final solution to the vexed Indo-Naga political imbroglio at the highest level talks without territorial limits,” stated the Naga Hoho.
Framework Agreement
The Framework Agreement, the Naga Hoho affirmed, “is for the Nagas who inhabits 80% of the landmass of Manipur.”
“There is nothing in the Agreement that will suppress the rights, history and territorial boundaries of Meiteis. The Meiteis should be aware that Nagas are a peace loving people, yearning to resolve the long drawn-out issue and assert our legitimate stand and rights without any bloodshed,” stated the Naga apex organization.
Further, it maintained, “As good neighbors, we will share neighborly relationship in all generations to come and the Nagas understand that there are many respectable and learned Meiteis with whom we enjoy brotherly rapport till-date.”
The Naga Hoho reminded that the Government of Manipur is “arbitrarily represented by the Meiteis of Manipur wherein the voice of the tribal in hill districts are seldom upheld.”
In this regard, if “the Meitei led government bows to the whims and fancies of Meitei CSOs like UCM, the Nagas inhabiting the surrounding areas will be compelled to take up befitting measures in order to protect our rights.”
Reiterating that the Framework Agreement has “nothing to do with the interest of Meiteis in Manipur, rather it will bear fruit for the wellbeing of Meiteis,” the Naga Hoho hoped that the “Indo-Naga peace agreement grow and come to full fruition without interference from outsiders.”
