NISC questions sincerity of Delhi on Nagalim
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 15 2011:
Questioning the sincerity of Government of India on the ongoing peace talks, Naga International Support Centre (NISC) has demanded the Government of India to make public its policies on Nagalim.
In a statement issued from Amsterdam, the Naga human rights organisation asserted that the Government of India knows very well the Nagas want to govern themselves on the basis of their right to self determination.
They have stood firm on this right since India decisively incorporated and then separated them by agreeing to an international border with Myanmar straight through their lands.
Peace talks, since 1997, led India to recognize the uniqueness and situation of the Nagas which meant that India recognized Nagas historically had no connection with India and but for the fact that they both were occupied by the same colonizer; Great Britain.
The Naga situation recognized as unique implies a beginning in thinking �when both nations respect each other's sovereigntya cordial relationship could develop.
However, important snags, like the successful divide and rule efforts (now the NSCN Khaplang group) are continuously cropping up during the Peace Talks between the Government of India, GOI, and the Naga Peoples.
These snags are obstructions to the Talks for peace as they lead to distrust based on insincerity, the statement observed.
The NISC statement pointed out that from the point of view of the International Community the right to self determination belongs to all People and because India signed this Covenant of the United Nations one would think that Peace Talks would have led to a mutually respectful solution to this long and bloody conflict between the overwhelmingly large and brutal Armed Forces of India and the relatively small but effective guerilla Army of the Naga Peoples of Nagalim.
Unfortunately this is not so! .
Regardless of the motivation of India's leaders to prolong this long (over 55 years now) costly war (taxpayers are paying for some 200.000 soldiers and Paramilitary forces: salaries, food, equipment costing billions of rupees which could have gone to uplift the standard of living of the extreme poor of India) to continue this war which, according to their own generals prior to 1997, can only be won when all Nagas are annihilated.
Hence, the Naga International Support Center thinks the Government of India may appreciate a few words of advice, the statement said, while demanding India to publish its policies on Nagalim and make it be accountable to the Indian people whose funds the Government of India is using to persist in this war .
Nagas have nothing against Indians so it is better to have Nagalim as a good neighbour rather than having a fierce foe on your doorstep, NISC said, while questioning why India should not appreciate culture and resilience of the Nagas so that good relations find a good breeding ground? NISC pointed out that negotiating for peace with knife on the table puts the opponent into a submissive position.
To substantiate the pledge of expediting the peace talks for an 'early' solution, remove the knife so both parties can speak frankly, release all prisoners which include A.Shimray of the foreign command who still languishes in jail, it demanded.
Would it not be wise for India to understand that one-sided ceasefire and negotiation at gunpoint have never solved any issues? It is rather this type of behaviour why India is in trouble with other peoples too, because: Who can live in peace at gunpoint? If India really wants peace with its neighbours, it should seek peace, not violence, the NISC statement observed.
Expedite the talks indeed Government of India, show India is not just an emerging economic powerhouse, but also a nation where human rights are honoured.
Talk peace so the peace talks can come to a mutually agreeable solution.
The world is watching how India behaves towards its neighbours and the oppressed nations, the statement added.
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