GOI “talking in different language to different negotiating groups in the matter of the Naga flag,” NSCN (IM) says
Dimapur, October 23 (MExN): With the Indo-Naga Peace Talks hitting another stalemate, the NSCN (IM) has put the focus back on the Naga flag and Yehzabo or constitution.
The NSCN (IM) said that while the talks resumed with the new Interlocutor AK Mishra amid much hype that the final Naga solution may come as a Christmas gift to the Nagas, “the talks failed to live up to all the hype as the Government of India continues to indulge in political escapism on the very issues that is holding up the road to the Naga solution.”
In a statement issued through its MIP on Saturday, the NSCN (IM) stated that it was “not impressed when the offer was made to accept the Naga flag as a cultural symbol.”
“The Naga issue is not a cultural issue that the Government of India should change the Naga flag as a cultural symbol and forego the Naga political identity as symbolized by the Naga flag,” it asserted, criticising the Government of India for “talking in different language to different negotiating Naga groups in the matter of the Naga flag.”
It recalled that in 2002, when the GoI officially recognized the unique history and situation of the Nagas, “the political interpretation is no less than the recognition of the political identity of the Naga nation.” This, it said, put a new meaning to the Indo-Naga political talks that ultimately led to the signing of the ‘historic’ Framework Agreement on the August 3, 2015 giving due recognition to the sovereign identity of the Naga nation. “Ironically, the Government of India is still pretentiously acting stubborn as the crucial rounds of talks that focused on the Naga flag and the Constitution is driven to hang in balance,” it said, terming the stalemate as “unfortunate.”
“The Naga flag is not just a piece of cloth to the Nagas,” the NSCN (IM) maintained, asserting that the flag is “a symbol of the Naga nation’s pride and values.”
Indicating that it would not accept the Naga flag as a cultural symbol, the NSCN (IM) went on question the need for the Indo-Naga ceasefire or the Indo-Naga talks for more than two decades if the Naga issue was a cultural problem.
“Where is the need for Nagalim to get admitted as a bona fide member of the UNPO (Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization) if the Naga issue is a cultural based problem? Nagalim was admitted into the fold of UNPO as NSCN was able to establish the historical and political credentials of Nagalim before the UNPO governing body and nothing to do with cultural credentials,” it underscored.
Terming the Naga flag as a “divine gift” to the Nagas, the NSCN (IM) asserted that it would take the stand to defend the flag and “not succumb to the flattering ‘post solution’ offer” as the Naga flag is of utmost importance for the Naga people and holds much spiritual value.
“NSCN cannot drag the Naga people to make another blunder by falling into the trap being machinated by the Government of India,” it said, adding that the Nagas cannot be carried away by the “post solution narrative” which it said was “just a well laid trap.”
“May God forbid the Nagas to accept any alternative arrangement in lieu of the Naga flag which symbolize the political struggle and identity of the Naga Nation,” it added.
