Dimapur, Dec 4 (MExN): Barely twenty four hours after the Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh assured the people of Manipur that the territorial integrity of Manipur would be safeguarded, the NSCN (IM) lashed out at Dr Singh by saying that the Prime Minister’s statement demonstrated his immaturity and dishonourable nature to the commitment in finding a peaceful solution to the vexed Naga issue.
A rejoinder from the Kilonser of Information and Publicity, GPRN/NSCN (IM) Johny Dilbung, while taking strong exception to the PM’s remark, pointed out that if the Prime Minister’s statement is true and not misquoted by the media, then he has ‘demonstrated his immaturity and dishonoured his commitment to find an amicable and honourable settlement to the protracted Indo-Naga political problem’ in which the Nagas have remained committed so far.
In the same vein, the Kilonser expressed the seriousness of the NSCN (IM)’s main demand of territorial integration by stating that the General Secretary of the NSCN (IM), Th Muivah has made it clear that ‘talks are meaningless and no solution is possible as long as the Nagas are divided under arbitrary boundaries’. The release cemented this view with the message that this stand of the NSCN (IM) remains ‘firm and non-negotiable’.
Putting forth its old logic behind the integration demand, the Kilonser asserted the NSCN (IM)’s oft repeated stand that the Nagas are claiming the land which rightfully belongs to them since time immemorial.
He further stated that the Nagas want the ‘arbitrarily imposed artificial fence’ in the Naga areas to be lifted and added that it was erected without the consent or wish of the Nagas.
Rubbishing the apprehension about hurting the Meiteis’ sentiments while seeking Naga integration, the Kilonser stated that as the Naga sentiments would not be hurt when the Meiteis or any other people of a race desires to live as one in assertion of their identity, so also the other’s sentiment should not be hurt when the Nagas aspire and struggle to live as one, stated the Kilonser.
The NSCN (IM) Kilonser further asked what Dr Manmohan Singh meant when he said in Manipur that the sentiments of the people would be respected and their territories protected; with regards to this, the Kilonser asked whether Dr Singh is inferring the Meiteis as a people alone while sidelining and ignoring the Nagas and other people’s sentiments and rights.
Not with standing all this, the Kilonser stated that though the peace process have been progressing at a slow pace, it received a boost when the Government of India recognized the uniqueness of the Naga history, the NSCN (IM) too reciprocated by compromising from the appeal to remain as a sovereign nation to that of a special Federal relationship taking into account the concerns of the Indian interests while at the same time safe-guarding the Naga peoples’ interest and rights, added the release. However, the Kilonser accused the Indian Government of adopting a double standard policy of remaining committed only in the negotiation table while remaining uncommitted on the ground.
In the light of this, the NSCN (IM) Kilonser further pointed out that negotiation for any settlement means understanding the situation while recognizing and respecting each other rights. However, he stated that all respect and honour which are essential pre-requisite for unconditional bi-lateral negotiations get lost when pre-emptive conditions that are inalienable and which cannot be compromised with are imposed on the party engaged in the talks.
The NSCN (IM) Kilonser further cautioned that the Indo-Naga peace talk is doomed to collapse if such double standard policies are adopted by the GOI towards the Nagas and the commitments are dishonoured deliberately. However, the release stated that the Nagas remain committed to all peaceful means to find peace, but at the same time asserted that the Naga rights cannot be betrayed and warned that the NSCN (IM) will continue to struggle against all odds until what rightfully belongs to the Nagas is restored to them.
