NSCN-IM trio explains contents of Framework Agreement
Source: Chronicle News Service / Newmai News Network

Dimapur, December 16 2022: In a rare joint statement issued on Friday, three top leaders of NSCN-IM explained contents of the Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015 and said that 'The government of India recognises the unique history and position of the Nagas' as per the agreement.

The statement signed by NSCN-IM chairman Q Tuccu, vice chairman Tongmeth Wangnao and general secretary Th Muivah said that the unique history means - the Nagas have the history of independence.

The Nagas have neither been a part of Union of India nor that of Burma (Myanmar), nor any other powers by consent or by conquest, it added.

By unique position, it means - position and situation of Nagalim is political and 'It is a case of invasion on Nagalim by India, not law and order problem of India' .

Both sides have understood each other s respective positions and are cognizant of the universal principle that in a democracy sovereignty lies with the people, the statement said, adding that it is an acknowledged fact that the sovereignty of Nagalim lies with the Naga people.

According to the joint statement, Government of India admits the historical fact that the sovereign Naga people had not accepted the Indian Constitution and they do not accept it.

Acknowledging the position of the Nagas and appreciating the intricacies of the Indian system, the Government of India during the tenure of the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh proposed the option of solving the problem on the basis of the principle of shared-sovereignty which was subsequently signed under the leadership of the present Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 3, 2015.By shared-sovereignty, it means the sovereign Indian people and the sovereign Naga people will share sovereign power in some areas as de fined in the competencies, the statement added.

Recognising the national identity of the Nagas and admitting that the Naga people had rejected the offer made by Union of India to them by the constituent assembly, the government of India proposed for an enduring inclusive new relationship of peaceful co-existence of the two entities.

By inclusive, it means - it embraces all Nagas wherever they are including all political groups.

By new relationship, it means a new relationship based on the Framework Agreement and co-existence of the two entities defines coexistence of two peoples - Indian people and Naga people, it added.

On the question of Naga national flag and constitution, the NSCN-IM trio said that it is a common knowledge known to the Indian leaders too that flag and constitution are constituent parts of sovereignty and there should be no ambiguity about it.

Hence, competencies are being worked out on the principle of the Frame -work Agreement, they added.

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