Naga bodies urge PM Modi to uphold FA pact
Source: Chronicle News Service / Newmai News Network

Senapati, August 03 2022: On the seventh "observance" of the signing of Framework Agreement between NSCN-IM and Government of India, Naga organisations based in the state (Manipur) urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to "honour the historic Framework Agreement" .

In a joint memorandum, the United Naga Council (UNC), Naga Women Union (NWU), All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) and the Naga Peoples' Movement for Human Rights-South Sector (NPMHR) drew the attention of the Prime Minister to exercise his statesmanship to help restore the rights and dignity of the Nagas by honouring the historic Framework Agreement and accordingly resolve the long pending Indo-Naga political issue.

According to the Naga organisations, the joint memorandum was submitted on Wednesday.

The Naga organisations said that they placed this reminder that the ceasefire agreement signed between central government and NSCN on July 31, 1997 has completed 25 years with no desirable outcomes worth mentioning till date.

The joint memorandum to PM Modi also said that Naga people were made to believe that a fresh impetus was given and significant progress made when the Framework Agreement was signed on August 3, 2015 "with your consent and your solemn presence on the occasion".

It stated that many years have passed since then and the wait for implementing the same agreement continues.

The UNC, NWU, ANSAM and NPMHR-S said, "We would like to state in no uncertain term that while having a ceasefire agreement in place only to con tinue the policies of development aggression and increase of military mobilisations and entrenchment activities by your government, an attempt to keep the Nagas hostage and our rights blatantly violated must end" .

The Naga organisations then urged the Prime Minister to note that Nagas were handed a raw deal since India achieved Independence and have been at the receiving end, suffering the consequences of draconian legislation such as Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) 1958 that infringes the right to life of people.

The joint memorandum of Naga bodies to PM also said, "At stake is the democratic institution and conscience of Indian citizens and leadership when Nagas are enduring untold misery and hardship as a result of subjective policies being pursued by the government of the past and now "with your esteemed self at the helm of affairs" .

The memorandum added, "We will explore all means humanly possible to restore our rights and dignity which are very dear to us and inalienable, without which our existence holds no meaning" .

Moreover, the joint memorandum reminded PM Modi that the declaration made by NSCN following the Emergency National Assembly held on May 31, 2022 is timely and reflects the sentiment and position of the Nagas which was conveyed to the PM office through their earlier representations.

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