Dimapur, March 4 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) has stated that it does not consider the Framework Agreement to be contentious, adding that “there is no ambiguity about it.”
In a press statement, the MIP of the NSCN (IM) said that the Framework Agreement is a broad framework whereby a foundation was laid towards resolving the decades old Indo-Naga conflict through mutual respect of each other’s history and sharing of sovereignty or sovereign powers between the two entities.
It meanwhile clarified that the proposed Pan Naga Hoho shall be a statutory body, represented by Nagas, wherever they are, from respective tribes or regions democratically.
“It will safeguard and promote Naga identity, integrity and interests including social, cultural and customary practices, language and dialects of various Naga tribes. It will play an advisory role in the field of promoting education and development. There will be proper representation of eminent Naga personalities, women and minorities. The Chairman and its Executive members shall be in the rank of Cabinet and an eminent Naga person shall be nominated to the Rajya Sabha,” the NSCN (IM) informed.
These features, the NSCN (IM) said, have been “mutually agreed upon.” It therefore expressed surprise that the issues are projected as “contentious” in the negotiation by the current Representative of the Government of India.
The NSCN (IM) further made clear that both the parties have mutually agreed and concluded that the political power of a government including, Legislative, Executive and Judiciary, “shall be with the Naga Government.” It added that the agreement “shall cover all Naga areas.”
It further elaborated that the Naga government “shall exercise its powers on the mutually agreed competencies and amongst others, the Naga Government shall have a separate budget, responsible for internal security.”
The NSCN (IM) made clear that the “contentious issue is the Naga National Flag.” “The Anthem, Emblem and Insignia are already agreed by the GoI,” it claimed.
Stating that the NSCN is ready for an acceptable and honorable political solution based on the FA, it made clear that the issue of Flag and Constitution “is not a deviation from the FA.” Even the PNH, the NSCN (IM) claimed, is the “official proposal of the GoI.”
“On several occasions during the political talks, the Representative of the GoI had proposed that the Naga Flag be used in the PNH, but the NSCN had turned it down stating the Naga National Flag should be with the Naga Government and not a social or cultural body,” it added.
It meanwhile, informed that the NSCN had proposed that Naga National Flag must be recognized based within the principle of sharing sovereign power/shared sovereignty as mutually agreed upon in the FA. It had also proposed that the constitution shall be the “mutually agreed competencies” of the two entities.
“We have left no stone unturned to explore and conclude an acceptable and honorable political solution for a peaceful co-existence of the two entities,” the NSCN (IM) said.
It meanwhile clarified that “contemporary realities does not mean a solution under the Union of India as that is a deviation from the historic national decision of the Naga people.”
“The final acceptable and honorable political solution must uphold the sovereign national identity of the Nagas which includes the Naga National Flag and Constitution. This position of the NSCN is not a misinterpretation or dilution of the FA,” it added.
It therefore asked the Government of India to take a wise political decision to conclude an acceptable and honorable political settlement based on the FA and “respecting the national identity of the Naga people instead of delaying the peace talks and misinterpreting the FA.”
