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Dimapur, Aug. 14 (EMN): The ato kilonser of NSCN (IM), Thuingaleng Muivah, who is also the group's chief negotiator in the Indo-Naga talks, has said that it is not asking for Naga national flag and constitution from New Delhi.
"Recognise them or not, we have our own flag and constitution. Flag and constitution are ingredients of our recognised sovereign entity and the symbols of Naga nationhood. The Nagas must keep their flag and constitution," read Muivah's Naga Independence Day speech on Friday, copies of which were made available to the local newspapers.
According to him, on October 31, 2019, the Centre's interlocutor RN Ravi had told the NSCN (IM): “We respect and honour your flag and constitution. We do not say Government of India has rejected them, but let us finalise them at the earliest time."
The NSCN (IM) negotiators, he said, reiterated that it does not see an honourable solution without flag and constitution. "We must know where our salvation line is. Our political salvation lies in clinging to our national principle and saying no to the dictation of the enemies," he said.
Interestingly, Muivah's speech, in sharp contrast to recent statements issued by his group, came without any verbal salvoes directed at Ravi, with whom the group's relationship has soured.
Will not merge with India
"After series of intensive discussions basing on the principle of the proposed ‘co-existence and shared-sovereignty’, the framework agreement was arrived at and officially signed on August 3, 2015. The government of India through the framework agreement recognises the sovereignty of the Nagas. The agreement also says, 'inclusive peaceful co-existence of the two entities sharing sovereign power'.
"By ‘inclusive’ it means all Nagas in different administrative units and political camps are to be included in the agreement. Co-existence of the two entities is self-explanatory. It means the two peoples and nations will co-exist. Political and legal experts admit the terms ‘co-existence’ and ‘shared-sovereignty’ apply to two entities, not one entity. The Nagas will co-exist with India sharing sovereign powers as agreed in the framework agreement and defined in the competencies. But they will not merge with India," Muivah said.
According to him, the Naga people, 'clinging to our principle', have said no to the Union of India.
"They also said no to the 16-point agreement and the Shillong Accord that have made the issue alive thus far. And they will say no to any agreement that betrays the national principle, and that imposition of Indian will upon the Nagas will never be acceptable to the Naga people.
"Nonetheless, taking the sovereign right of the Nagas and the security and commercial interests of India into account, we have condensed our discussions to the mutually agreed framework agreement and worked out competencies to be finalised. Indeed, the Nagas are for a political solution," read the speech.