Questions feasibility of autonomy under Indian Constitution
Morung Express News
August 19
DIMAPUR: The NSCN has condemned a booklet titled Naga Inhabited Areas (NIA): structuring and legislation, terming it as a relentless campaign launched by a few individuals backed fully by Indian intelligence agencies to derail the ongoing peace process.
In a press statement issued by Major (Retd) Johny Dilbung, Kilonser, MIP, the NSCN lambasted the booklet’s projection of the possibility of Nagaland existing as an autonomous entity within the Union of India. Stating that the booklet was a direct insult on the rights and lands of the Nagas, it called upon every right-thinking and patriotic Naga to condemn it “forthwith and forthright”.
The release cited instances from the history of the Nagas reiterating that the Nagas and their lands were divided by the British Government much against their expressed wishes and rights and that to perpetuate subjugation, the Government of India had further divided the people of Nagaland.
“Now (the) Indians are trying to tell the Nagas to give up their rightful ownership from time immemorial over the chunk of land transfer to other states to serve the commercial interests of railway lines, building, tea cultivation, reserve forests etc.” the release stated pointing out that this was exactly what the booklet was projecting that the Nagas had no other option but to accept the constitution of India.
Keeping in mind this arbitration, the release questioned if it was sensible to talk of autonomy within the union of India under the Constitution of India.
Declaring that the Nagas would only accept a negotiated settlement which would reflect the uniqueness of the Nagas’ history as a Nation itself, the NSCN demanded that an apology from the authors be tendered to the Naga people “or else the GPRN will be compelled to being him or her to justice.”
