UNC backs flag, Constitution condition
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 30 2019: Supporting the demand for a flag and Constitution and in the face of the 'final stage' of the Centre-NSCN (IM) peace process, the United Naga Council (UNC) has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to recognize the 'Naga National flag and the Constitution' while resolving the decades old problem.

The UNC on Friday submitted a memorandum to the PM, putting its key demands on the issue.

The memo, signed by UNC president S Kho John and general secretary S Milan, said "we would reiterate that the recognition of the Naga National flag and the Constitution will finally bring about an honourable and acceptable political settlement between the Government of India and the Nagas.

"Short of these recognition would amount to negating the true spirit of the historic Framework Agreement" signed on August 3, 2015 between the Centre and NSCN (IM), it added.

UNC's move comes after Nagaland Governor and the Centre's Naga peace talk interlocutor RN Ravi announced that PMO had signalled for resolving the Naga issue within three months possibly within October.

The memo said that the Naga people have been waiting for the last 22 years to finalize the Naga peace process that will be acceptable and honourable to both the parties based on the unique history and situation of the Nagas.

The UNC urged the Prime Minister to finalize the Naga peace process after keeping it on the top priority of his Government.

Ravi's announcement made on Independence Day has alerted many prominent civil bodies that are campaigning to protect Manipur's territorial integrity and unity.

A few days back, the United Committee Manipur (UCM) had urged all legislators of the State to reaffirm the earlier resolutions to protect Manipur's territorial integrity and unity passed by the State Assembly in the two day Assembly session that concluded on Tuesday.

There is a strong suspicion that the Framework Agreement might have something that may break Manipur or sow seeds of disintegration in future, said the UCM.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh had on August 5 chaired a joint meeting with various eminent civil bodies of the State and the State Government's consultative group on Naga peace talks, discussing in depth the measures to be taken up to ensure that the outcome of the Naga agreement will not disrupt the territorial integrity and unity of the State.

In December 2017, the Prime Minister had told a group of civil bodies of Manipur that the Centre would not just resolve the Naga issue without consulting all concerned and stakeholders.

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