On the 10th anniversary of the Framework Agreement (FA) signed between the Government of India (GoI) and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) on August 3, 2015, major Naga civil society organisations have reiterated support for the agreement and expressed deep concern over the decade-long delay in delivering a political settlement.
In a statement, the All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) said the Naga people “wholeheartedly welcome and endorse” the Framework Agreement, signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi “before the worldwide audience” at his official residence in New Delhi. ANSAM noted that the agreement had given Nagas “high hopes for an early and logical settlement of the Indo-Naga issue,” but lamented that “10 years have passed without any tangible solution,” raising “serious questions and concerns in the minds of the public.”
ANSAM also recorded its “appreciation to all the former Prime Ministers of India who have made sincere efforts” to resolve the Indo-Naga political issue. The student body recalled the 2002 recognition of the “unique history and situation of the Nagas” under the leadership of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, calling it a “landmark” in the peace process.
Quoting the official recognition by GoI, ANSAM stated: “Nagas have the history of independence that Nagas have neither been part of the Union of India nor that of Myanmar (Burma), nor any other powers either by consent or by conquest, and the situation and position of Nagalim is political, not a law and order problem.” The association said that Nagas have since remained steadfastly committed to the peace process, placing their faith in successive Indian governments.
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ANSAM, however, expressed “deepest concern over the continued delay tactics and misplaced behaviour of the GoI” and questioned “the commitment and sincerity of the Indian leadership.” The association called for restoring the peace process “to the track to hammer out a logical conclusion in the true spirit of the Framework Agreement.”
It strongly reemphasized that it was the GoI’s recognition of the “political nature” of the Naga issue that made negotiations possible, adding that “28 years of political talks demands a logical conclusion with due recognition of Naga flag, constitution, and integration as their inalienable rights.”
“Any agreement without ensuring these will not address the political aspirations of the Nagas as a people,” ANSAM stated, adding that Nagas across “contiguous Naga areas” are waiting for a “wholesome and inclusive political solution.” It further called upon all Nagas to remain “vigilant, united, and steadfast in commitment towards the journey of Nagas’ struggles to secure their rightful place by realizing the historical and political rights of the Nagas.”
UNC to GoI: “Walk the talk”
Echoing similar sentiments, the United Naga Council (UNC) urged the Centre to honor the commitments enshrined in the Framework Agreement. “The Government of India must walk the talk to ensure that all is well in the sub-continent,” it stated.
The UNC reiterated the foundational principles of the FA:
* “The Government of India recognizes the unique history and position of the Nagas.”
* “By unique history, it means the Nagas have the history of independence. The Nagas have neither been a part of the Union of India nor that of Burma (Myanmar), nor have been under any powers by consent or conquest.”
* “By unique position, it means the situation of Nagalim is political. It is a case of invasion on Nagalim by India, not a law and order problem of India.”
The agreement also reportedly acknowledges that “in a democracy, sovereignty lies with the people,” and that “it is an acknowledged fact that the sovereignty of Nagalim lies with the Naga people.”
On the contentious issue of the Naga national flag and constitution, the UNC stated that these are “constituent parts of sovereignty,” and that “there is no ambiguity about it. Therefore, the Government of India should not continue to buy time through talks, rather walk the talk.”
CNPO issues four demands
The Chandel Naga People’s Organisation (CNPO), representing 11 Naga tribes in Manipur’s Chandel district, also reaffirmed its “full support for a lasting political solution based on the agreement.”
It declared that the Framework Agreement “remains central to the Nagas’ political aspiration for self-determination” and urged the GoI to implement it “without further delay.”
The CNPO listed four key demands:
1. Immediate solution based on the Framework Agreement.
2.Halt to the ongoing construction of the Indo-Myanmar border fencing.
3. Revocation of the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR).
4. Recognition of the Naga flag and constitution.
The 10th anniversary program was attended by leaders of the 11 Naga tribe Hohos, ANSAM, the Naga Students’ Union Chandel (NSUC), tribe women unions, the Naga Chiefs’ Association Chandel, and the Chandel Naga Christian Forum (CNCF), among others. Rev. Shonnai Saka, president of the CNCF, led a mass prayer for Naga leaders and the Framework Agreement.
In a historic gesture, the Framework Agreement was translated into 11 local dialects and read out during church services across the district.
(With inputs from Ukhrul Times)
