Muivah reaffirms Framework Agreement as ‘foundation for honourable settlement’

DIMAPUR — Thuingaleng Muivah, the chief political negotiator and Ato Kilonser of NSCN (IM), on Wednesday reaffirmed that the Framework Agreement signed between the group and the government of India (GoI) on August 3, 2015, remains the “basis for an honourable and acceptable political settlement.”

In a message delivered at Tahamzam in Senapati district of Manipur, Muivah declared that the “Naga national flag and Naga national constitution are non-negotiable”, describing them as the “sole basis for a negotiated political settlement” between the NSCN and the GoI.

Muivah said that the NSCN (IM) has “patiently and successfully negotiated” with the Centre for the past 28 years, stressing that the Framework Agreement and the earlier Amsterdam Joint Communiqué of July 11, 2002, had officially recognised the “unique history and sovereignty” of Nagalim.

“With the official signing of the two agreements, the desperate distortion of Nagalim’s unique history by India and Myanmar has been officially corrected and rectified by the GoI. Hence, among others, the August 14, 1947, Nagalim independence declaration and the May 16, 1951, plebiscite for sovereign Nagalim have been officially recognised by the GoI,” he asserted.

The NSCN (IM) leader accused India and Myanmar of branding Naga nationalism as “secessionist” to justify decades of militarisation and human rights violations. Recalling incidents of violence and atrocities committed under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), Muivah referred to the 2021 Oting killings in Mon district as “the latest glaring case whereby the Indian Army personnel have been given blanket protection from prosecution.”

Also read: Muivah reaffirms sovereignty stand, warns Delhi against betraying Framework Agreement

He said that the “recognition and acknowledgement” of Nagalim’s unique position mean that the conflict with India and Myanmar “is not an internal matter” of either country.

He further stated that the Framework Agreement officially recognises that “sovereignty lies with the people” and that the Naga national flag and constitution “are integral in the letter and spirit” of the accord.

Muivah also cautioned against attempts to “distort and pervert” the Framework Agreement. “It is regrettable that some section of Nagas has become pawns in the hands of the GoI and its agencies. The NSCN/GPRN do not recognise any agreement signed within the Constitution of India—past, present and future,” he warned, terming those who promote such agreements as “traitors to the Naga nation.”

He maintained that despite “decades of repression,” Nagas had never targeted Indian or Burmese civilians. “Every right-thinking individual, community and nation must know that not a single Indian or Burmese civilian has been harmed by the Nagas,” he said.

Muivah urged Nagas to remain steadfast, declaring that the “only honourable negotiated political agreement shall be according to the letter and spirit of the Amsterdam Joint Communiqué and the Framework Agreement.”

“The letter and spirit of the Amsterdam Joint Communiqué and the Framework Agreement, duly recognising the sovereign Naga national flag and the sovereign Nagalim national constitution, are the rallying point for Nagalim and the Naga people, wherever they are,” he stated.