NSCN (IM) Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister), Th Muivah on Friday reiterated that the Naga political solution must be based on the “unique history” and sovereignty of the Nagas, asserting that the group would not accept any imposed settlement or compromise on the Naga national flag and constitution.

The Ato Kilonser unfurled the Naga National Flag at Camp Hebron during the celebration of the 80tyh Naga Independence Day.

In his speech, which was read out by Deputy Ato Kiloner, VS Atem, Muivah said the final political agreement between the Government of India and the NSCN must conform to the “letter and spirit” of the August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement.

He maintained that the Naga political movement had been guided by a distinct historical and political trajectory and said the Nagas must remain steadfast in pursuing what he described as their right to determine their own future.

He paid tribute to Naga national workers and martyrs, including former NSCN chairman Isak Chishi Swu, former vice-chairman Khadao Yanthan, Brigadier Thungbo Pangmi and former vice-chairman Gen. (Retd.) Kholi Konyak. He also acknowledged organisations, national workers and leaders who, according to him, had remained committed to the “letter and spirit” of the Framework Agreement.

‘Nagalim is God-given land’

Linking the Naga political struggle with his Christian faith, Muivah said the Almighty God had given Nagalim to the Naga people and that the future of the people must be understood in accordance with God’s will.

He argued that the Naga homeland had been historically distinct and said artificial political and international boundaries had fragmented the Naga areas between present-day India and Myanmar.

“Our adversaries have divided and sub-divided Nagalim by superimposing artificial states and so-called international boundaries and left our people divided in the present state of India and Myanmar. Therefore, we must be steadfast and commit ourselves to integrate the fragmented Nagalim territory,” he said.

Muivah urged the Naga people not to lose confidence in their history and identity, stating that the future of the Nagas could not be determined by others.

He also called for unity among the Nagas, saying divisions had arisen partly because of differing interpretations of the Naga political issue.

Recalls history of Naga political movement

Muivah traced the Naga national movement to the resistance against British expansion and highlighted the 1929 memorandum to the Simon Commission, the 1947 declaration of Naga independence and the 1951 plebiscite.

He credited leaders including AZ Phizo, Imkong Meren and T Sakhrie with consolidating Naga nationalism into an organised political movement.

He further described the 1975 Shillong Accord as a turning point that, according to him, divided the Naga political movement, leading to the formation of the NSCN in 1980.

“Why are the Nagas divided today? It is very clear to all of us that the Shillong Accord divided the Nagas vertically. The Shillong Accordists are the Nagas who lost hope and faith in Nagalim and the Naga people. They had renounced their own rights and the rights of the Naga Nation. Do we allow these traitors to decide the future of the Nagas and betray the cause?” he questioned.

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Highlights Indo-Naga peace process

Muivah also recalled the evolution of the Indo-Naga peace process, including the 1997 ceasefire and subsequent political negotiations with successive Indian Prime Ministers.

He referred to meetings with former Prime Ministers PV Narasimha Rao, HD Deve Gowda and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and highlighted the 2002 Amsterdam Joint Communiqué, in which the Government of India recognised the “unique history and situation of the Nagas.”

He said these developments represented a shift from a military approach towards a political solution.

Muivah also cited the August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement as a significant milestone, arguing that it provided the basis for a “new relationship” and peaceful coexistence between the two entities.

“We all desire an early, acceptable, and honourable political solution. The NSCN, its leadership, and the talk team have taken every possible step toward that goal. I remind the Naga people that the Government of India is betraying the letter and spirit of the August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement and the recognised Nagalim national flag and constitution. On grounds of political expediency to please India, we shall not compromise our national sovereignty, flag, and constitution,” he stated.

Warns against imposed solution

The NSCN (IM) leader, however, expressed concern that the Government of India was allegedly deviating from the Framework Agreement.

“Our political position is crystal clear. The final political agreement to be concluded from the ongoing negotiations shall be in accordance with the letter and spirit of the August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement. We stand for an acceptable and honourable political agreement in which sovereign powers, as defined by the Framework Agreement and its competencies, In the matter of her own affairs Nagalim shall be sovereign,” he said.

He further said any political agreement that does not uphold these national principles is a betrayal of the Nagalim national principle.

With a breach of the letter and spirit of the August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement, India is consciously reverting to a military solution, it alleged.

“We will not accept an imposed agreement or be silent spectators to a military approach. We stand for a negotiated political settlement that recognises Nagalim’s sovereignty, national flag and constitution; we shall stand firm,” Muivah reiterated.

He declared that NSCN (IM) would defend and protect Nagalim’s “unique history”, “Nagalim sovereignty and freedom”, “Nagalim sovereign territory”, “Nagalim sovereign national flag” and “Nagalim sovereign national constitution”.

“These non-negotiable national issues have been mandated by the Naga people; we shall stand to the last,” he said.

He also said that anti-nationals and reactionaries cannot claim the moral right to represent the Naga people or Nagalim politically.

“Nagas and Nagalim do not demand anything from anyone, but we want everyone to respect Nagalim, our unique history and sovereignty,” he said and reaffirmed that they would not accept an imposed solution or remain silent to a military solution.

“And consequently, an acceptable and honourable political agreement shall be according to Nagalim’s unique history, respecting the letter and spirit of the August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement, duly recognizing Nagalim’s national flag and constitution, he added.