Dimapur, Oct. 26 (EMN): The NSCN (IM) appreciates Naga Civil Society for what it stated was their ‘rising up to the occasion’ during challenging occasions in the backdrop of the envisaged concluding rounds of the Indo-Naga political dialogue with New Delhi.
The organisation issued a press release to the media on Saturday thanking the Naga community organisations for ‘standing up to defend Naga’s political aspiration.’
“In this pressing situation, National Socialist Council of Nagalim fully acknowledged the role of Naga civil society groups in rising up to the occasion when Nagas were confronted with ‘tryst with destiny.’ The way they made their position clear through the media is highly valued and appreciated,” the statement read.
The group accused the Indian government’s interlocutor for the dialogue, RN Ravi, also the governor of Nagaland, of ‘underestimating the Nagas in taking care of our legitimate historical and political rights.’
The Naga civil society groups stood up boldly to ‘prove him wrong,’ the press release stated.
“Thank you Naga civil society groups for demonstrating your passion and pride of the Nagas's unique history and situation. This is the crowning glory of our political negotiations with the Government of India to take us to where we belong. This is the foundation that we have built to take us to the solution that is honorable and acceptable.”
They “rightfully stood up against economic packages at the cost of our political rights,” the group stated. The people simply cannot be carried away by any economic packages, which is “against the sanctity of our God given rights.”
“We have history to learn and the Government of India should open the pages of the past agreements like Shillong Accord and 16 Point Agreement. These agreements are the root cause of the present Indo-Naga political problem. Historical blunders should not be repeated deliberately,” the statement asserted.
Stating that Ravi had failed to consult with the apex community organisations, the NSCN (IM) expressed infuriation at the ‘divisive politics.’
“You all have pointed out that honorable and acceptable solution means honoring Naga flag and constitution. You have pointed out that Nagas have not gone for so many years of political struggle at the cost of hundreds of thousands lives for getting the economic packages being tabled before the Naga political groups,” the NSCN (IM) declared.
‘We cannot deny our mighty God who have promised us that he will not forsake the Nagas as shown to us by giving the most beautiful rainbow flag to signify our political identity. Many years ago, we have given our commitment to God by adopting the slogan "Nagalim for Christ." Let us stand firm without wavering and God will do the rest. Thank you all for standing up to defend Naga’s political aspiration.’