‘Framework agreement will be Magna Carta of Naga history’
A Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, MARCH 21
NSCN (IM) kilo kilonser, Rh Raising on Monday announced that another top leader from rivals GPRN/NSCN has joined the NSCN (IM) recently. He made this announcement during the celebration of 37th Republic Day at camp Hebron.
According to Raising, the new member is the former kilo kilonser of GPRN/NSCN, Vitoi Ayemi. “I hope many more people will join forces with us,” he said, while stating that the NSCN (IM) has “forgiven the past mistakes committed against the nation and us by others.”
Raising also said that the framework agreement signed between the NSCN IM) and New Delhi on August 3 last year would be the Magna Carta of Naga history. He said that the framework agreement represents a formal endorsement and recognition of the Naga identity.
Also, the idea of shared sovereignty, in some of the Naga areas, contained in the framework agreement applies to two entities/parties involved, he said. “Had it been just one entity, it would be shared autonomy.”
Raising shared that from the stage of confrontation, the Naga struggle has now reached the stage of negotiation and stands in the cusp of a stage of nation-building. “That is our homework now. The Nagas have now come to the stage of building – material, mental and spiritual developments.
“This demands us to change from our rural mindset to that of the urban. We must move out of the land of scarcity and unproductivity to the greener pasture. Urbanization of thought is the beginning of development,” he stated.
The speech of the yaruiwo of NSCN (IM), Isak Chishi Swu was read out by the Qhevihe Chishi, the convener of the outfit’s steering committee. Isak, in his speech, recalled the Naga struggle right from the formation of the Federal Government of Nagaland in 1956 and the subsequent events that has now reached a landmark with the signing of the framework agreement.
“We believe all the MPs of the Indian parliament of both ruling and opposition are well-informed of these hard realities. Mr Rahul Gandhi, vice president of the Indian National Congress, cannot pretend ignorance of what have the successive Indian governments done vis-à-vis Indo-Naga peace process. This is too big an issue to be overlooked,” the speech read.
It also stated that the NSCN (IM) “highly appreciate the bold step” taken by the present leadership of India towards solving the Indo-Naga political issue.
Meanwhile, the GPRN/NSCN stated that it had already suspended their former comrade, Vitoi Ayemi, in the previous week. Sources from the GPRN/NSCN said that the suspension was initiated after their former member was caught indulging in activities that were in contravention to their’ azha.’ “Maybe, after he was suspended, he went and join NSCN (IM),” the source suggested.
