Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 28
NSCN (IM) Chairman Isak Chishi Swu disclosed today that the negotiations between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) had entered a critical juncture ‘if not a stalemate’ and pointed out that New Delhi may not be sincere to its proposal put forth at the negotiating table. Addressing the UNPO General Assembly at Taipei, Taiwan, Swu demanded that ‘a third party intervention endorsed by the UN through the initiation of the UNPO be undertaken’. “We trust that the UNPO will take all necessary steps in lobbying for our case in the United Nations and other international arenas. We have been suppressed, our rights have been denied and our voices drowned long enough yet we see the present time as the most opportune one to seek the attention of international organizations to play a more active role in the Indo-Naga issue”, the NSCN (IM) Chairman stated in his address, a copy of which was received here.
In the context of the last round of negotiations held at Amsterdam on October 17-18, Swu stated ‘Nagas have realized that interdependence has replaced independence in the geo-political landscape of today’ and pointed out that the NSCN (IM) had proposed for a ‘special federal relationship between India and Nagalim, which would clearly be defined under the terms of the political agreement’. Disclosing the basis of a relationship between India and Nagalim, the NSCN (IM) Chairman told the UNPO General Assembly that ‘it would be two entities inseparable yet not one within the other’. He said that Nagas had done much in the past nine years of peace process to move closer to India as possible. “Anything below this would tantamount to political tragedy for our people and betrayal to our nation”, Swu stated in his address.
Using the platform of the UNPO, the NSCN (IM) Chairman said that the Government of India must prove to the world community that she is indeed the world’s largest democracy which respects political, historical and cultural rights of oppressed nations and peoples around the world. “We have the confidence in the present Indian leadership that neither the bane of party politics nor constitutional intricacies will hamper their correct judgment. A just and honorable solution to the Naga problem would usher in peace in the entire region; equally bringing an end to one of the world’s longest running conflicts”, he said.
Pointing out that the UNPO has been the guiding light to all suppressed nations, peoples and ethnic minorities and that its active participation was helping resolve conflicts around the world and representing the unrepresented in political forums and human right platforms as well as dealing with social, cultural, environmental concerns, which was praiseworthy.
Reminding that the very existence of small nations and peoples; their history, political right, culture, society, environment etc. is being threatened more than ever for economic and technological pursuits of the big and wealthy, Swu pleaded that they should not be abandoned to their fate or allow the feet of the strong and mighty to trample upon. “The principle idea of democracy, freedom and the right to self determination cannot effort to have double meanings. Self determination of peoples and nations; their cry for justice and political identity must be differentiated from the howl of terrorists. For those who profess justice and equality in the world, the voice of the suppressed nations and peoples must be valued regardless of size or geographical location”, Swu went on.
The Chairman also shared the opinion that the ethnic groups and peoples who seek to apply for the UNPO membership be given serious consideration, particularly to those seeking observer statuses. Deserving peoples and nations must be given a chance to participate in this platform to view their political, historical social, cultural and economic issues, he said in his address.
Swu appealed to the conscience of international community to ensure that honorable and acceptable solution recognizing historical and political right of the Nagas is reached. “We wish to participate and contribute to humanity and world peace as a responsible entity. I find no greater platform than this august assembly to witness on behalf of my people and also on behalf of the oppressed peoples and Nations of the world”.
