The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) on Tuesday accused the Government of India of pursuing what it termed “Indian-state terrorism” and a “hegemonic geo-political ambition” in the Indo-Pacific region, and alleged that recent developments in Manipur and Naga areas are part of a larger strategic design.
In a press statement issued by its Ministry of Alee Affairs (Foreign Affairs) and dated February 17, the NSCN stated, “The state of affairs in India, in the present state of Manipur and elsewhere in Nagaland are pure and simple another phase of the Indian-state terrorism and a manifestation of its hegemonic geo-political ambition.”
The group alleged that the Indian state has been “consistently and meticulously using the Kukis” as part of what it described as a “master plan.” It claimed that violence is being projected “whereby, Kukis are projected as the victims and ‘the others’ labeled as the perpetrators.”
According to the statement, “the inter-community clash between the Meiteis and the Kukis, the blatant construction of the German Road / Tiger Road in the Naga areas, the burning and destruction of Naga houses in Ukhrul district, unprovoked attack on Nagas in Nagaland are pure and simple a pretext to legitimize the creation of a territorial entity called the Kuki state / Kuki homeland.”
The NSCN further stated that such a development “is in fact a larger militaristic geo-political stratagem of the Indian state.”
Indo-Pacific and Rimland reference
The statement framed its allegations within global geopolitical theory. It said, “India’s geo-political ambition is to become a major player in the international arena.
In order to achieve this dream it must increase its influence in the Indo-Pacific ‘Rimland’.”
Quoting Nicholas John Spykman, it stated, “Who controls the Rimland rules Eurasia, who rules Eurasia controls the destinies of the world.”
The NSCN asserted that India’s “pivot Rim Indo-Pacific Region by enticing entities with common security interest is a geo-political paradigm that is being consciously nurtured and methodically implemented with pathological precision.”
It further alleged that India’s “hegemonic geo-political aspiration has been consciously fueled by the extreme right wing Hindu nationalist / Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its Agencies and military.”
The statement also linked India’s Act East orientation and the Kaladan project connecting West Bengal, Chin state in Myanmar, Manipur and Mizoram to what it described as a broader strategic objective to transform “the Rim sub-himalayan region and its surrounding Rim geo-political region including the Indian ocean and Burma (present Myanmar) into its de facto military bastion and operational base.”
Allegations during peace process
Referring to the Indo-Naga political peace process initiated on August 1, 1997, the NSCN said that “important milestone steps have been achieved” under successive Prime Ministers including PV Narasimha Rao, HD Deve Gowda, IK Gujral, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Dr Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi.
It cited the Amsterdam Joint Communique of July 11, 2002 and the signing of the Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015.
However, it alleged that “the forces directing the Indian state to derail the Indo-Naga political peace process between the GoI and the NSCN by refusing to recognize Nagalim national flag and constitution is not merely indicative of its political bankruptcy but a calculated political agenda to create a new political geography wherein its power is unassailable.”
The NSCN claimed that during the peace process there has been “ceaseless militarization, mushrooming of factions in Nagalim, inter-community conflicts and others,” and alleged cross-border operations and support to pro-India organisations in Myanmar.
Position on sovereignty and agreement
The statement said, “The challenges of resolving the decades old Indo-Naga political conflict peacefully based on the letter and spirit of the Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015 is an acid test for India and its leadership.”
It added that how India chooses to conclude the 28-year peace process “either peacefully or otherwise, will also impact its future and geo-political aspiration.”
Reiterating its position, the NSCN declared, “Nagalim’s sovereignty, territory, national flag and national constitution are non-negotiable.”
It further stated that “the Indo-Naga political agreement must be according to the uniqueness of Nagalim history which was officially recognized by the Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015 and Nagalim shall stand firm to the last, come what may”.