Ahead of the 9th years Anniversary of the signing of the Framework Agreement with the Government of India on 3rd August, the NSCN-IM has on Wednesday issued a statement where it said that the Agreement is a testament of the Indian Government recognizing Nagalim as a sovereign state.
It also stated that the document that was signed in the presence of Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and the General Secretary and Ato Kilonser (the Chief Negotiator) of NSCN/GPRN national flag and constitution along with high dignitaries from both the parties duly recognized and acknowledged the national flag and constitution of Nagalim. “The Nagas should treasure and hold on the FA unsparingly lest we miss the sure promise of God,” it added, while reaffirming the demand for a separate national flag and constitution for Nagaland.
On the occasion, the NSCN-IM recalled the “glorious national struggle and the importance of political achievements lest we forget.” It asserted that Naga nationhood is a conscious decision and stated:
“Nagas never ever consented to be a part of any other nation and resisted every invasion. The Naga Club submitted a memorandum to the Simon Commission on January 10, 1929 that Nagas should be left alone to determine for themselves. The Naga National Council (NNC) declared Naga Independence on 14th August, 1947, one day ahead of India. Nagas were not signatory to the Panglong Agreement of February 12, 1947 which paved the way for the formation of Myanmar (erstwhile Burma) on January 4, 1948.A thumb print referendum in the form of plebiscite was conducted on May 16, 1951 whereby 99.9 % of the Nagas voted to be independent.”
The NSCN-IM mentioned that despite the “occupational military forces” exercises from India and Myanmar that “cost us heavily in terms of blood, tears and sweats”, the Nagas have stood on their solid ground that “Nagas are not Indian or Burmese”. “It is our pride and honor to be who and what we are. We cling on to our heritage no matter what. This is our glory! This is our legacy!” it remarked.
The group stated that subsequently, the Government of India admitted the conflict between India and Nagalim was a political one that required a political solution and officially invited the NSCN-IM for talks that resulted in the declaration of ceasefire on 1st August 1997 on the following principles; “that the talks should be without precondition, at the highest Prime Minister level, venue should be in a third country outside India and an involvement of a third party is kept open ended.”
Following a long earnest negotiation, among others, a very important historic Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015 was signed between the GoI and NSCN wherein the GoI has duly recognized and acknowledged the unique history and sovereignty of Nagalim, the statement said.
Further, the NSCN-IM appreciated the leadership of its late Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and General Secretary Th.Muivah for the Framework Agreement which it said “has undone out rightly all the past agreements including the 16 Point Memorandum of July 26, 1960 and Shillong Accord of November 11, 1975.”
Read more: NSCN-IM commemorates 8th Anniversary of Indo-Naga Framework Agreement
