NSCN (IM) cautions GoI
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Dimapur, December 21 2012: Chairman of the NSCN (IM) Isak Chishi Swu has cautioned today that the Government of India's inclination to impose its 'internal law and order system' in the course of the ongoing political dialogue will jeopardize the peace process.

Isak Swu was reacting to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) which had served summon notices to top NSCN (IM) leaders a few days back on certain matters.

Swu said this while addressing the outfit's winter session of the Tatar Hoho (Parliament) which began on December 14 .

"Fifteen years of unrelenting negotiating between the Government of India and the NSCN have to a great extent brought both the parties much closer bearing in mind the decades of conflict and the military oppression on the Naga people with the sole purpose of driving the Nagas into submission," the NSCN (IM) Chairman said.

The NSCN (IM) leader also acknowledged the paradigm shift in the policy of the Government of India to embark on a political negotiation with the Nagas and terming it as a bold step in the right direction.

"The ceasefire and the political negotiation that began on August 1, 1997 was deeply appreciated by one and all in India and also the international communities", Swu added.

In spite of the several ups and downs in the negotiation, eventually on July 18, 2011 both parties mutually agreed to work out a settlement in the shortest possible time, the NSCN (IM) Chairman stated while adding that they have not "wavered from the Government of India this past more than a year now" .

"We have taken the necessary steps to uphold our historical and political rights and positive understanding was created with the Congress leaders and their government that eventually paved the way for political negotiation with the Government of India at the highest level without pre-conditions and outside India in a third country", Swu stated.

The NSCN (IM) also took note of the ceasefire with the Government of India announced during the Prime Ministership of I.K Gujral of the Janata Dal led United Front Government.

Subsequently, during the BJP led NDA government the Government of India recognised the 'unique history and situation' of the Nagas.

"It is crystal clear that the Nagas are ready for an honourable political settlement that is acceptable to both the parties that respects the unique history and situation of our people" .

Swu however expressed surprise over the GoI allowing "its National Investigation Agency (NIA) to serve summon notices to various top leaders of the NSCN" .

"This has come as a bolt from the blue and it has greatly shocked us", Swu stated while adding that the "best way forward is to settle any differences across the table" .

"We have observed and experienced commitment from both sides.

However, the Government of India's inclination to impose its internal law and order system in the course of the talk will certainly jeopardize the political negotiation that was initiated at the highest level and without any preconditions," Swu cautioned.

Swu then said that both parties must seek realistic ways to understand each other.

"We have left no stone unturned to negotiate respecting the difficulties of the Government of India.

We are for solution, however, if any difficult problem arises we will be compelled to take the matter to the Naga people," the NSCN (IM) Chairman stated.

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