Kohima: The NSCN-IM, on Wednesday, said that “integration of the divided Naga ancestral domains is the inherent right of the Nagas” but clarifies that “political settlement with the Government of India cannot cover Nagas in Burmese occupied areas”, as that will be the “second phase to be settled with the Burmese Government”.
This statement was issued by its MIP as a rejoinder to a statement made by N Kitovi Zhimomi, convenor, working committee, Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) where he was quoted as saying: “Integration through constitutional and administrative measure… The administrative system of the Naga tribes in other states shall be worked out as per the constitutional scheme without any interference or infringement on the Provisions of the Article 371 A”.
The statement goes on to say that by integration, it meant the “geo-political integration based on sovereign right of the Nagas, not that of the Indian or Burmese constitution” and that it stands for a territorial integration under one political roof.
It pointed that “all Nagas are one” and that “Nagas were forcibly divided by the colonial power and placed them in different administrative units for political reason”.
“The terms – the Indian Nagas, Burmese Nagas, Manipur Nagas, Assam Nagas, Arunachal Nagas and Nagas of Nagaland state are derogatory language used by the colonialists,” the statement read.
Noting that Zhimomi had strongly opposed any move to change the political map of Nagaland and that “any solution that will abrogate Article 371 A (of the Indian Constitution) is not acceptable to NNPGs”, it countered saying that Nagas out rightly rejected the Union of India and its constitution.
The statement further said, “But, against this historic Naga national decision, the 16-point agreement was signed between the GoI and a few Naga traitors in the stolen name of the Naga people on the basis of the Article 371A of the Indian Constitution”.
“The so-called Nagaland state is but the child of Indian constitution. This take us to wonder why a tall leader like N. Kitovi Zhimomi is advocating for the cause of 16-point agreement even when the Indian leaders too have admitted the fact that the 16-point agreement does not solve the Indo-Naga political problem. This never augurs well for his standing with so many years of sacrifice for the Naga national cause”, it added.
On PAN Naga Hoho:
“PAN Naga Hoho will be a common platform for the Nagas to inculcate and foster the spirit of oneness and unity of all Nagas who are arbitrarily divided by the enemies’ artificial ‘Berlin wall’…It is more than cultural body”, it said.
On the creation of a Territorial Council:
The statement reads, “The Naga Regional Territorial Councils (NRTC) to be created on the basis of Framework Agreement in Naga Areas in the so-called Manipur state, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam are transitional. The present Nagaland state and the NRTC governments will be equipped with sovereign powers as envisioned in the Framework Agreement. Power to decide our future by ourselves is epi-central to our politics”.
Countering to Zhimomi’s statement that the “Abrogation of Article 371A will lead to total collapse of the sovereign rights of the Nagas”, the group said that the sovereign right of a people is inherent and that it cannot be given or taken away by any power.
“Based on the universal principle of democracy, the Government of India (GoI) has recognized the sovereignty of the Nagas. Our national politics, our national resistance movement and our negotiations with the GoI are centered on sovereignty. And that the Ar ticle 371 A of the Indian constitution is the antithesis of the Naga sovereignty, the epicenter of Naga politics. All Nagas are indigenous in Naga country,” it said.
Citing biblical reference, the statement concluded saying “We believe all Naga leaders are advocates of the Naga National cause, not that of the Indian constitution”.
