NSCN-IM cautions Centre not to use NIA to harass, arrest members

Kohima : The NSCN-IM on Thursday held an emergency joint council meeting at its council headquarters (CHQ) Hebron to deliberate on the Indo-Naga political talks. In the absence of its ‘ato kilonser’, Th Muivah, the members present adopted a six-point resolution.

An official statement from its ministry of information and publicity (MIP) said that the house reaffirmed its decision to uphold the August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement. It also said that the Naga national flag and constitution represent its “national identity”, and therefore its “recognition is absolutely a matter of Nagas’ right for an honourable political solution”.

It added that the political solution shall be “Naga Solution” and that it is their bounden duty to uphold the unique history and sovereign rights of the Naga people, which is in” consonance with the historic 1951 plebiscite”.

The house also resolved to uphold the mandate of the Naga people given to NSCN on January 21, 2005, to “conclude [with] an honorable solution to the Indo-Naga political issue and the unification of all Naga areas”.

Strongly condemning the “double-standard policy” of the Centre, it resolved that “the political talks between the government of India (GoI) and the NSCN must move forward in the spirit of mutual respect”.

It further cautioned the Centre from using its agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), from arresting and harassing its members, as it is in political negotiations with the GoI for the past 22 years.

It added that the NSCN shall “continue to endeavour to conclude an honourable political solution that is acceptable to the Naga people”.

Meanwhile a reliable source informed EastMojo that over 600 members including the collective leadership, steering committee, ‘kilonsers’, ‘tatars’ and heads of the departments attended the meeting. The source said that over 130 members were administered with the oath of allegiance. The source further said that the concept of a Pan Naga Hoho and the “competencies” negotiated with the government of India, were also briefed in the meeting.

The source added that the interlocutor for Naga peace talks and Nagaland governor RN Ravi had earlier proposed a meeting in Delhi on February 26, but, the NSCN-IM refused it following the ill health of its chief negotiator Th Muivah. The source said that if Ravi agrees to meet in Dimapur, a meeting may likely be held in the first week of March between the two parties.

The source also revealed that the emergency joint council meeting which was initially scheduled in Dimapur on Wednesday, had to be postponed following a government order which restricted the group from gathering outside its designated camp.