Ball is now in Centre’s court to fulfil commitment given to Nagas, says NSCN-IM

NSCN-IM general secretary Th Muivah on August 14 said that the ball is now in the court of the Government of India to make the right move and to fulfil the commitment given to the Nagas.

Addressing the 76th Naga Independence Day on August 14 at Camp Hebron, off Dimapur, Muivah said that the Nagas have endured 25 years of gruelling ceasefire living up to “our commitment” for peaceful solution of the Naga political issue.

“We have also waited patiently for seven long years after the historic Framework Agreement was signed on August 3, 2015. We have not left any stone unturned of what it takes to bring a solution that is honourable, inclusive, and acceptable to both the Nagas and the Government of India. The ball is now in the court of the Government of India to make the right move and to fulfil the commitment given to the Nagas,” the NSCN-IM leader added.

The NSCN-IM general secretary said that ceasefire is a political terminology. “It is the harbinger of peace. Ceasefire has been with the Nagas for 25 years now. But we see no meaning in the ceasefire that does not embark upon political negotiation,” Muivah also said, while adding: “And we see no meaning in negotiation if it cannot deliver solution”.

“Indeed, we are for agreement, but it would be a form without content if it cannot bring a solution,” he further added.

According to the NSCN-IM general secretary, all the past agreements were no solution “because they betrayed the Naga national principle”. The NSCN-IM leader also said that the Nagas are looking for an issue-based solution. “And that we are opposed to imposition of Indian will on the Nagas,” he added.

Ball is now in Centre’s court to fulfil commitment given to Nagas, says NSCN-IM (1)
Ball is now in Centre’s court to fulfil commitment given to Nagas, says NSCN-IM

 

Muivah then asked, “What shall we do if the Government of India imposes its will on us?”  He stated that the Nagas need to work out a survival strategy. He also said that the Nagas must stay the course. “Our future is in our decision to stand firm on our sovereign right, not in submission to the aggressors. Our no to the dictation of the enemies will save our history. Our survival strategy lies in the power of prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. The name of the Lord is our strong tower, which we believe is bigger and stronger than the coalition forces of many kings. The presence of the Lord has been with us on all fronts since the beginning of the resistance movement. Our strength comes from the Lord,” he added.

Muivah then said that the May 31, 2022, ‘Emergency National Assembly’ of the NSCN-IM is one of the turning points in the history of the Naga political movement. “We have taken the stand before God and Naga people that NSCN will uphold and protect the unique Naga history and the Naga National principle at any costs. The Naga flag and constitution are indivisible parts of the recognized sovereignty and unique history. We believe the Indian leaders too understand it,” he added.

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