EMN
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 17
The Angami Public Organization (APO) on Thursday issued a statement reiterating its position on the “framework agreement” – which has been peddled as a peace accord in some section of the press – signed between the NSCN (IM) and New Delhi on August 3 this year.
“APO has consistently maintained that in the event the Gol ruled out recognition of the well-known Naga position on sovereignty as understood and fought for by the Nagas from the beginning, NSCN (IM) needed to first transparently work out a common position with the other Naga Political Groups (NPGs) of the struggle for a settlement that would be honorable, acceptable and therefore workable.
“That, the next step would be to take the agreed position thus evolved by the National workers to the public, including the NGOs,” the APO statement read. This would be required if the negotiation had to be for something other than the original position of the Naga struggle, it stated.
“The Accord (Framework Agreement) was signed in New Delhi on August 3, 2015, by NSCN (IM) and R.N. Ravi, the interlocutor for the Gol deserved appreciation from all the stake holders. The NSCN (IM) in their collective wisdom has taken the step without prior inclusion of the other NPGs with regard to the negotiation terms for settlement.”
It shared that the ongoing peace process that is likely to culminate into a settlement soon, spearheaded by the NSCN (IM) leadership, should serve the best purpose and common interest of all Nagas.
“No violence or threat of violence in any manner should be adopted by the NSCN (IM) and the Gol in the implementation of the settlement.
“This is the over-riding concern the APO shares with all other tribe Hohos. Neither of the entities working out a settlement of the political conflict, said to be one of the longest running in the modern world, is expected by all the Nagas to be anything but totally responsible and unequivocal on this prerequisite for the settlement. No tribe must take advantage of the current inevitable instability for their narrow strategies which will render our crisis uncontrollable,” it stated.
The APO also stated that the political settlement should not weaken what the Nagas have already achieved together at great sacrifice, by fragmentation or counter-productive solutions that undermine the consolidation process that has been taking place during the past century.
“APO’s considered view is that Nagaland was adopted by a due process under Naga National Council (NNC) when factions and groups had not yet appeared. Hence, the Nagas should decide, perhaps by a referendum, whether Nagaland or Nagalim is to be the accepted name of their homeland.”
