Flag & constitution not the cause of talks impasse: NSCN-IM

The NSCN-IM has come out in defense of its stand stating that the flag and constitution issues have not delayed the solution to the peace talks as is being alleged by some people.

In a statement issued, the NSCN-IM said that the Nagas are reeling under utter confusion about the Peace Talks and have subsequently started expressing their total discontentment pointing accusing fingers at the very people who brought the ceasefire and the peace process.

Stressing that the flag and constitution issue raised by it is not the cause of the delay in the conclusion of the peace process, the NSCN-IM claimed that the flag and the constitution are the component ingredients embraced in the Framework Agreement.

The NSCN-IM also claimed that it is on record of the Government of India has recognized the uniqueness of the Naga history and its position that the Nagas were never part of the Indian Union either by conquest or consent hence a Naga national movement cannot be without a flag and a constitution.

The NSCN-IM statement also said that having granted cognizance of the universal principle that in a democracy the sovereignty lies with the people, it should be noted that the Framework Agreement acknowledged and accepted the declaration of the Naga Independence Day on August 14, 1947, and the Plebiscite of 1951. Henceforth, the flag and the constitution are the embodiment of the FA, the NSCN-IM said.

The NSCN-IM also claimed that the “Sharing of sovereign powers” as mentioned in the FA is a recognition and acceptance of the Naga sovereignty.

Significantly, the NSCN-IM claimed that while the issue had been resolved long back the RSS factor came in between questioning how there can be two flags and two constitutions.

The manifesto of the RSS sharply contradicted the principle agreement of the FA beginning the delay, the NSCN-IM said.

The NSCN-IM also expressed discontent over the signing of two agreements the FA and Agreed Position by the Government of India.

The Government of India signed two agreements with the Nagas, the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position which has divided the Naga people, the NSCN-IM said. If the GoI is genuinely sincere to go for an early solution it should not pursue two agreements for one person, the IM said.