Appeals to UNPO General Assembly to ‘take a positive role so that the current peace process is brought to a logical conclusion’

DIMAPUR, APRIL 4 (MExN): NSCN (IM) General Secretary, Th Muivah has stated that the Government of India has started “misinterpreting what has been mutually agreed upon” in the Framework Agreement.

Speaking at the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO) General Assembly held on March 26 and 27 at Washington DC, Muivah said that the Government of India is “going back on its word.”

He expressed concern that in the event of breaking down of the current negotiations, “we foresee serious human rights violations again in Nagalim.” 

He recounted the historical account of the Naga resistance movement and stated that the “case of the Nagas is an invasion of Nagalim by India and Myanmar.”

Muivah reiterated that after 22 years of “long intensive negotiations” with the Government of India (GoI) involving six Prime Ministers, the Framework Agreement was signed between the Gol and the NSCN (IM) on August 3, 2015 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a host of NSCN leaders. 

“Acknowledging the historical fact, the government of India recognized the unique history and situation of the Nagas. By unique history it means - Nagas have the history of independence. By unique situation it means - situation in Nagalim is an aggression on Nagalim, not law and order situation of India,” the NSCN (IM) General Secretary stated.

Based on the universal principle of democracy, Muivah said the two parties reiterated that “sovereignty lies with the people.” “It means sovereignty of the Nagas lies with the Naga people and vice-versa,” he added. 

“Nevertheless, it is further stated that Nagas and Indians will coexist as two entities sharing sovereign power which will be defined in the competencies. By coexistence of the two entities, it means - Nagas will not merge with the Union of India, but they will coexist with India maintaining their national entity,” he said. 

The NSCN (IM) General Secretary stated that in the competencies, the GoI recognizes the territories of the Nagas stating that “land and all the natural and mineral resources on the surface and beneath of it belong to the Nagas.” 

“The Gol also recognizes the legitimate right of the Nagas to territorial integration of all Naga areas under one political roof. Since the unique history of the Nagas and the sovereign right of the Nagas are recognized, it is understood that the Naga flag and constitution are ingredients of their sovereignty,” Muivah said. 

He however lamented that the Government of India is now misinterpreting these “facts, commitments and agreements.” Muivah appealed to the UNPO General Assembly to “look into the fragile situation of the Indo-Naga political talks and take a positive role so that the current peace process is brought to a logical conclusion.”