Dimapur, August 8 (MExN): The GPRN, ‘deploring’ the remarks of Union Minister Shivraj Patil on the Indo-Naga peace talks, reminded that the Nagas had entered into negotiations with India “only when India accepted the facts of the Naga historical struggle for self-determination”.
According to Ghukato, Joint Secretary, MIP the event of India admitting and declaring that the Naga issue is a political issue and not as an internal law and order problem “that has been tried to be projected earlier by certain Indian bureaucrats, leaders and its machineries” was one factor. “The GOI lifting the ban on the NSCN/GPRN and excluding it from the terrorists list; the acceptance of Naga unique history and situation and the conditions of the talks firmly based on unconditional terms at the highest level, i.e., Prime Minister level, at a third country and as two separate entities” cited the MIP. According to the organization, the talks have proceeded at a slow pace and encountered hurdles and unsatisfactory desired results and progress thus far. “As we are perched at a crucial juncture where both the parties in dialogue are focused on the issues to find a solution to the impasee, Mr Patil in his stature should be careful in making imprudent and ambiguous statements unless there exists a deceitful double-standard policy behind the chambers of the Indian government” it stated. The MIP stated that Patil’s statement in reference to the Nagas in line with other modules of terrorist organizations elsewhere in India reflects the Indian government’s evaluation of the Naga peoples’ identity which is “dishonoring GOI’s earlier recognition and agreed terms that enabled both sides to embark on a truce and bi-lateral permanent peace initiative with reciprocal respect”.
“Such comments of branding the NSCN/GPRN/Nagas in tune with terrorist modules is resented out-rightly by the Nagas as never have we terrorized anyone but only struggled against GOI for suppressing our inalienable rights to live as a people. The GOI should clarify whether it is being sincere and committed in solving the indo-Naga political issue” it stated. Meanwhile in a separate release, the MIP, GPRN terming as ‘bogus’ the recent reported defection of 9 cadres to the NSCN-K, stated that “deception and misinformation is the only worth of Khaplang group”.
“Know that all matters undertaken by the GPRN/NSCN undergoes a democratic process with the participation/representation of all the Naga tribes. The narrow-minded question of autocracy or dominance of a tribe has no room in our government’s functions as such is contrary to our manifesto and Yazhabo” stated the MIP release adding that there may be “certain stray incidents of defection by unprincipled and undisciplined cadres owing to their undesirable deeds but not as wrongly portrayed”.
