Mokokchung, 15 April (MTNews): The Naga-American Council has claimed that “forcing the Indian flag on the Nagas is as offensive as the Nagas forcing India to recognize their flag” and clarified that their position on the Naga Flag has been subject to “misinterpretation and misquotation.”
The Council was speaking on the lines of the current peace talks underway with Government of India representative AK Mishra chairing the talks with the NNPGs and the NSCN-IM.
However, the Naga-American Council has denied making any statement calling the Naga Flag to be solely cultural.
“Dame Grace Collins, Honorary President of Nagalim wants to clarify she never said in any press statement that she considered the Naga Flag to be solely cultural. She also maintains she is not affiliated with any one faction but represents all Nagas residing in India and Burma. Apparently these assertions were brought up in yesterday’s peace talks by Mr. AK Mishra, the Government of India (GOI) representative to NSCN,” a press release from the Naga-American Council received here said.
The council further urged the Indian government to recognize the Naga flag’s importance “as a personal issue to the soul of the Naga people.”
“We believe that such recognition can promote mutual respect and dignity between two genetically and culturally different people,” added the press release.