NSCN/GPRN general secretary Th. Muivah has reiterated that the organisation will not accept an imposed political solution to the Naga issue and said any final agreement with the Government of India must adhere to the “letter and spirit” of the August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement.
Delivering his 80th Nagalim Independence Day speech at the NSCN/GPRN headquarters at Hebron on Friday, Muivah said the ongoing Indo-Naga political negotiations should result in an “acceptable and honourable” agreement that recognises the distinct history and political identity of the Nagas.
He asserted that the NSCN’s political position remained unchanged, saying the final agreement must recognise Nagalim’s sovereignty, national flag and constitution.
“Our political position is crystal clear,” Muivah said, adding that the NSCN stood for a political agreement in which “sovereign powers, as defined by the Framework Agreement and its competencies” would be exercised by Nagalim in matters concerning its own affairs.
Framework Agreement and ‘new relationship’
Muivah said the Amsterdam Joint Communique of July 11, 2002, and the Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015, represented important milestones in the Indo-Naga peace process.
He maintained that the two documents envisaged a “new relationship” based on sharing sovereign power between two sovereign entities.
“We all desire an early, acceptable, and honourable political solution,” he said, claiming that the NSCN leadership and its negotiating team had taken every possible step towards that objective.
Muivah, however, accused the Government of India of betraying the letter and spirit of the Framework Agreement and said the NSCN would not compromise on the Naga national flag and constitution “on grounds of political expediency to please India”.
He further warned that any agreement that did not uphold what he described as the Naga national principles would amount to a betrayal of those principles.
No imposed or military solution
Muivah said the NSCN would not accept an imposed agreement or remain a “silent spectator” to what he described as a return to a military approach.
“Nagalim took up armed struggle in self-defence against the occupational forces of India and Burma,” he said, adding that any breach of the Framework Agreement would amount to India reverting to a military solution.
He reiterated his November 7, 2024 political testament, calling upon the Government of India to respect and honour the Framework Agreement and its stated objective of peaceful co-existence.
Muivah declared that the NSCN would defend and protect ”Nagalim unique history”, “Nagalim sovereignty and freedom”, “Nagalim sovereign territory”, “Nagalim sovereign national flag” and “Nagalim sovereign national constitution” to the last.
“These non-negotiable national issues have been mandated by the Naga people; we shall stand to the last,” he said.
Muivah also appealed to the Naga people, churches, civil society organisations, international communities and supporters to continue supporting the Naga political cause.
“Nagas and Nagalim do not demand anything from anyone, but we want everyone to respect Nagalim, our unique history and sovereignty,” he said, reiterating that the NSCN would not accept an imposed solution.
He concluded by stating that an acceptable and honourable political agreement must be based on Nagalim’s “unique history” and respect the Framework Agreement while recognising the Naga national flag and constitution.
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