Demand of others should not affect Nagas : UNC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 29 2015: The United Naga Council (UNC) has said that no issues or demands raised by other community(s) living in the 'present State of Manipur' affecting or tending to affect the Nagas' position on land, identity, history, culture, time honoured institutions and political aspiration will be tolerated under any circumstances.

The UNC at the same time, urged the Government of India to expedite the Indo-Naga peace process with a political will to take it to its logical conclusion for lasting peace in the region.

The UNC has also submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister of India on the Indo-Naga political issue.

"Our land is arbitrarily divided by the colonialists without prior informed knowledge and consent of the Nagas.

The Nagas have every right for a common homeland," it said.

"The story of Naga political history is not to be ignored; the further consolidation of Naga areas through its historical process is firm enough and its political aspiration is loud enough not to be unheard.

So, the Nagas cannot and shall not retrograde from our established position," the UNC said.

The Naga problem is not only political but is a genuine claim of their inalienable historical rights that exhibit a struggle from other political struggles and the Nagas have posited 'unique History of the Nagas' which was recognised and accepted by India.

The unique history of the Nagas is not primarily a position of attainment but is a position in history, the UNC said.

Indian authority particularly the military leadership has correctly perceived the historical position and political nature of the problem.

The authority has widely averred the Naga problem as a political problem and has ruled out military solution to it.

In this regard former Indian Army Chief, General Thimaya is to be mentioned for having declared it in 1969 .

Lt General Pramjit Singh and General JJ Singh followed suit in 2008 and 2013 respectively.

The Nagas are positive about it and work for political settlement forthwith, added UNC.

Naga political movement has survived several turbulent times and situations such as Indian political betrayal (1949), rift between Naga moderates and radicals and imposition of AFSPA upon Naga people with the objective to contain Naga militancy, the episode of Shillong Accord (1975), the split among the Naga National workers and host of other internecine internal crises.

Yet Naga freedom struggle has endured political betrayal, factionalism, defection and showing matchless political struggle in India and Asia.

The unflinching spirit is still in the Nagas to meet any circumstances, it added.

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