EMN
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 24
The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) on Saturday stated that it is time for the Naga people to accept the “reality” that “Naga territories in India will not be amalgamated” and that it would be best that Nagas, in their respective states, be allowed to chart their own respective destinies “in the manner of United Naga Council of Manipur” in consultation with all stakeholders and with one another under the principle of inclusiveness.
In a press release issued today, the NTC stated that even as the framework agreement between the NSCN (IM) and New Delhi remains “inconclusive”, it has become more imperative for the NTC to adopt its political posture at this juncture in the interest of all.
“Whereas, the Government of India has unambiguously made its stand clear in media more than once that the issues of Naga sovereignty and integration are not negotiable. Whereas, it is equally unambiguous that the 3rd August 2015 ‘Framework’ is well within the ambit of Indian Constitution. Under the given circumstances, NTC is of the opinion that it is wiser for the Nagas to accept the reality at the moment. One of the two realities is that to India sovereignty will not be the agenda in any degree of agreement either under exclusive or inclusive arrangement. The second reality is that Naga territories in India will not be amalgamated. In other word, the status quo remains.”
As such, it reasoned, it has become more of a necessity than remaining indecisive that Nagas in respective State be liberally allowed to chart out what would be best for themselves with GOI in the manner of United Naga Council of Manipur in consultation with all stakeholders and with one another under the principle of inclusiveness.“NTC strongly feels that Nagas cannot afford to undermine the sincerity of the GOI at this juncture but be ready to avail the offer out of willingness as shown should it worth the name,” it stated.
The NTC went on to state that the Naga Plebiscite of 1951 was for sovereignty and not for any accord under the Constitution of India. “The Nagas have a solid political history and it is as old as 86 years since dating back to 1929 when the first political representation was submitted to Simon Commission. Subsequently, the formal political organization with the nomenclature NNC was founded in 1946. “Consequently, to ascertain the general public opinion of the Nagas on the issue of self determination, the first, and so far the only Plebiscite, was conducted on 16th May 1951 under the banner of NNC. It was recorded that 99.9 percent of the Naga people voted in favor of political aspiration in that historical mandate venture.”
According to the NTC, the Naga Plebiscite is as old as 64 years and remains valid and relevant today. “The 64 years old Naga Plebiscite is the only unquestionable foundation of Naga political issue and its movement. Therefore, no Naga political movement can become unique or historical if the Plebiscite of 1951 is to be subtracted from our political standpoint.
“The issue of Naga Integration figured in 16-Point Memorandum of 1960. The 13 clause runs as follows: ‘Consolidation of contiguous Naga area- The other Naga tribes inhabiting the areas contiguous to the present Nagaland be allowed to join Nagaland if they so desire.’ The history is self explanatory on the option as added in the clause.”
