DIMAPUR, APRIL 30 (MExN): The NSCN/GPRN has come out with a press statement countering the remark of Union Minister of State for Planning Ashwani Kumar terming it as “controversial press reportage of the Indian Union Minister”. It may be mentioned that Ashwani Kumar had said clearly that the Naga problem can be solved only within the framework of the Indian constitution. “We seriously question Mr. Ashwani Kumar statement that, “Government of India is prepared for wide ranging talks with the Naga people on finding an honourable and mutually acceptable solution (to the Naga issue) within the framework of the Indian constitution”, stated a press note from the MIP.
The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN/GPRN) while terming the Union Minister’s statement as unfounded made it very clear that such statement was not based on any official commitment or agreement between the Government of India (GoI) and NSCN. “In the first place, let it be known that there is no such an agreement that the Indo-Naga Political issue will be solved “within the framework of Indian Constitution”, the NSCN/GPRN stated. It also argued that since from the historical point of view “the imposition of Indian Constitution upon the Nagas was the beginning of the Indo-Naga conflict” as such “for the Nagas that can never be the solution”.
“Realizing the futility of seeking solution to the Indo-Naga political conflict through brute force, the GoI proposed a political dialogue that was later accepted by the NSCN as the more realistic approach”, the press note went on to add. Thereafter, it reminded that peaceful political dialogue was initiated on the basis of three mutually agreed terms: at the highest level, without any conditions and in a third country.
Subsequently, the GoI accepted that the negotiation was between two entities and on July, 11, 2002 recognised the unique history and situation of the Nagas.
The Prime Ministers of India agreed that the Indo-Naga issue must be solved through political negotiation and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh also officially assured that the GoI will seek solution outside the box, the MIP press note stated.
The NSCN/GPRN has therefore seriously viewed what it termed as “such an irresponsible statement when both the entities are seriously trying to find an honourable and peaceful political solution”. The MIP note further described the Union Minister Ashwani’s statement as “a blatant breach of trust”. As such the NSCN/GPRN wanted that it must be clarified if his statement reflects the opinions of the Government of India.
The MIP note also added that Mr. Ashwani violated the “official understanding and commitment between the Government of India and the NSCN that all official statements on Indo-Naga Political Talks will be made only from the Prime Minister’s Office, Home Minister and India’s Interlocutor for the Indo-Naga peace talks, Mr.R.S Pandey”. “The NSCN have done their best they could in the past and are prepared to continue in the same spirit until an honourable political settlement is arrived at. But today we are forced to go back to the people and discuss it in a very serious manner to make the point clear that it will not accept Indian constitution under any circumstances”.
The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN/GPRN) while terming the Union Minister’s statement as unfounded made it very clear that such statement was not based on any official commitment or agreement between the Government of India (GoI) and NSCN. “In the first place, let it be known that there is no such an agreement that the Indo-Naga Political issue will be solved “within the framework of Indian Constitution”, the NSCN/GPRN stated. It also argued that since from the historical point of view “the imposition of Indian Constitution upon the Nagas was the beginning of the Indo-Naga conflict” as such “for the Nagas that can never be the solution”.
“Realizing the futility of seeking solution to the Indo-Naga political conflict through brute force, the GoI proposed a political dialogue that was later accepted by the NSCN as the more realistic approach”, the press note went on to add. Thereafter, it reminded that peaceful political dialogue was initiated on the basis of three mutually agreed terms: at the highest level, without any conditions and in a third country.
Subsequently, the GoI accepted that the negotiation was between two entities and on July, 11, 2002 recognised the unique history and situation of the Nagas.
The Prime Ministers of India agreed that the Indo-Naga issue must be solved through political negotiation and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh also officially assured that the GoI will seek solution outside the box, the MIP press note stated.
The NSCN/GPRN has therefore seriously viewed what it termed as “such an irresponsible statement when both the entities are seriously trying to find an honourable and peaceful political solution”. The MIP note further described the Union Minister Ashwani’s statement as “a blatant breach of trust”. As such the NSCN/GPRN wanted that it must be clarified if his statement reflects the opinions of the Government of India.
The MIP note also added that Mr. Ashwani violated the “official understanding and commitment between the Government of India and the NSCN that all official statements on Indo-Naga Political Talks will be made only from the Prime Minister’s Office, Home Minister and India’s Interlocutor for the Indo-Naga peace talks, Mr.R.S Pandey”. “The NSCN have done their best they could in the past and are prepared to continue in the same spirit until an honourable political settlement is arrived at. But today we are forced to go back to the people and discuss it in a very serious manner to make the point clear that it will not accept Indian constitution under any circumstances”.
