Nagalim and Nagaland are the same: NSCN (IM)
Outfit stresses on 'Naga territories'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 11 2020: As the Naga peace talks reached a critical stage, the final solution cannot be brought about by compromising Nagas' historical and political rights.

The honourable, acceptable and early solution that is "inclusive" can only be achieved on the basis of the Framework Agreement and recognition of the Naga Flag and Constitution, said Steering Committee of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) today.

In a statement issued by its convenor, Hutovi Chisi, the NSCN-IM recalled that the "uniqueness" of Naga history was recognised by the Government of India on July 11, 2002 at Amsterdam.

With this historic declaration, the Government of India had admitted that the "Nagas were never part of India at any given point of time and that the Naga issue is not that of law and order but political in nature therefore needing political solution.

"It also marked the basic foothold on which solution is to be worked out as two equal partners.

Notably, it shows that the uniqueness of the issue demands a unique solution in which the sovereign rights of the Nagas are realized, while the security and paramount interest of India is at the same time safeguarded," it said.

"Naga people need not be confused of Nagaland from Nagalim.

On 22nd March, 1956, AZ Phizo formed the Naga Central Government which was later renamed as Federal Government of Nagaland in 1959 that covers the entire territories of Nagas and its people.

And that is how our land came to be known as Nagaland.

Nagalim denotes Naga Nation spread across different States within India and Burma, manipulated and divided between these two Nations just after getting independence in 1947 and 1948 respectively.

Therefore, Nagaland/Nagalim carries the same meaning as is Tatar Hoho for Parliament, Yaruiwo for President, Kedallo for Vice President and so on and so forth.

Thus Nagaland is used in Framework Agreement for the same context and reason," said NSCN-IM.

On the Framework Agreement that was reached on August 3, 2015, NSCN-IM maintained that "the Government of India through the FA recognizes that sovereignty of India and the Nagas lies with their respective peoples" .

The NSCN-IM asserted that the Nagalim/Nagaland carries the "same" meaning and that the "Nagaland" mentioned in the FA denotes "Naga Nation spread across different States within India and Burma" .

The agreement mentions, "Inclusive peaceful co-existence of the two entities sharing sovereign power" .

This 'Inclusive' mentioned in the FA means that "all Nagas and their territories in different administrative units and political camps are to be included in the agreement.

"Co-existence of the two entities means that the Nagas and Union of India will co-exist.

And the new relationship between the two shall be as defined in the competencies.

This is the only political process to bring solution that is honourable and acceptable," it added.

Regarding their demand for recognition of a separate Naga flag, it said that the "Naga Flag is our National and political identity, an inspiration and a covenant between God and Naga people" .

The Naga flag is the political identity of the Naga people.

At the same time, the Constitution is the "soul".

"We have had bitter and bloody experience with the 16 Points Agreement and Shillong Accord.

These are nothing but political flattery to suppress the legitimate Naga political movement.

Naga people should not allow such blunders to be repeated under the ongoing Indo-Naga political negotiation," it said adding an honourable, acceptable and early solution that is "inclusive" can only be achieved on the basis of the Framework Agreement and competencies on the verge of completion.

Comment