Deputy Ato Kilonser of NSCN-IM, Lieut. Gen. VS Atem, VC, AEM (retd.), expressed confidence that the Framework Agreement “will provide for an enduring inclusive new relationship of peaceful coexistence of the two entities, pointing towards the old relation that was full of separation and depression.”
“The new relationship as agreed upon respect one another,” he said, as was published in the July-August 2025 edition of Nagalim Voice.
Atem reiterated that the Naga issue holds “legitimacy from the historical and political perspective,” pointing to Nagalim’s membership in the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO). Speaking on the subject, he stated that the NSCN was granted “bona fide membership of [the] UNPO because of the legitimacy of the Naga issue from the historical and political perspective.”
He asserted that “at no point of time [had] Nagas had any relation with India, historically, racially, culturally and politically,” adding, “Historical truth says, Nagas declared independence one day ahead of India on 14th August, 1947.”
Referring further to the Framework Agreement, Atem said, “Reading between the lines, [it] clearly says India understood the unique history and position of the Nagas. This is the focus of establishing new history for the Nagas where the political identity as a nation cannot be done away with.”
On the origins of the Naga political movement, he said: “It started because of the force occupation of Nagalim by India and thus our case is purely a resistance movement, because Nagas refused to compromise on the illegal occupation of Nagalim. Nagas never wanted war of any kind. But India forcefully used violent aggression to occupy Nagalim, and for this Nagas are resisting till today.”
Meanwhile, according to the editorial of the Nagalim Voice, while the Government of India “is having its own problem to implement” the agreement, it is also “desperate to disown it.” It further claimed that “some Naga people” have begun speaking of a Naga political solution “in different voice” and “deviating from the path that will protect Naga political identity.” According to the editorial, this situation has been “taken advantage [of] by the Government of India,” which has “indulged in delaying tactics to play spoilsport to the Naga history.”
Declaring that the Framework Agreement remains the “irreversible stand of the Nagas,” the NSCN-IM reiterated its position of “no surrender, no retreat.”
“Let us stand strong to see the light of the day as we strengthen our hope with prayer that the good Lord will deliver the Nagas from the bondage of the oppressor. Let us give space to God to deliver justice for the Nagas. Putting our faith in God, let us maintain the spirit of Framework Agreement at all times until the end,” the editorial read.