The NSCN (IM) reiterated its appeal to the Naga people to be patient and allow the Naga talk team to secure “our historical and political rights”.
According to the outfit, an honourable, acceptable and early solution that is inclusive can only be achieved through the basis of Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015.
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It said the competencies of the agreement are on the verge of completion.
Competencies
A statement issued by convener, steering committee, NSCN, “Maj” (retd) Hutovi Chishi clarified that the Framework Agreement was not published in the public domain right after its signing as competencies were yet to be worked out.
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At the same time, the contents needed safeguarding before the completion of the competencies that will determine the new relationship between India and the Nagas, it said.
While appreciating the genuine concern of the Naga people to know the details of the competencies, the NSCN said some of the competencies are still under hectic negotiation. Any agreement signed under the Indian Constitution can be openly published as others do but the Framework Agreement and the competencies being worked out with “outside the box” solution needs caution till its completion, it maintained.
The outfit assured to bring forth the competencies before the people in due course of time for wider consultations.
Talks at the crucial stage
The NSCN (IM) said as the Indo-Naga political talks reached a critical stage it has drawn nationwide attention like never before.
The cry for early Naga solution is the ardent desire of every Naga and Indian as well, it said.
It maintained that the Naga solution cannot be brought about at the cost of compromising “our historical and political rights”.
“We have had bitter and bloody experience with the 16-Point Agreement and the Shillong Accord.
These are nothing but political flattery to suppress the legitimate Naga political movement,” the outfit said. It added the Naga people should not allow such blunders to be repeated under the ongoing Indo-Naga political negotiation.
Framework Agreement
The outfit said the historic Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015, brought about by the recognition of the unique Naga history and situation is no mean achievement for the Naga people.
It said by signing the Framework Agreement under the direct supervision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India has officially acknowledged the “historical reality” on the basis of which a permanent solution can be arrived at.
The Government of India through the agreement recognized that sovereignty of India and the Nagas lies with their respective peoples.
The NSCN quoted the agreement which says “Inclusive peaceful coexistence of the two entities sharing sovereign power”.
By “Inclusive” it means all Nagas and their territories in different administrative units and political camps are to be included in the agreement and the coexistence of the two entities means that Nagas and the Union of India will coexist.
It said the new relationship between the two will be as defined in the competencies.
“This is the only political process to bring a solution that is honourable and acceptable,” the NSCN stated.
In the statement, the outfit also dwelt on Naga unique history, how the Nagalim was coined, Naga flag and constitution.
Meanwhile, according to reports, Centre’s interlocutor for Naga talks R.N. Ravi, also the Nagaland Governor, and the working committee of Naga National Political Groups on Thursday decided to reveal competencies – all crucial matters discussed during negotiations – to the people before inking the final agreement.
They took the decision at a closed-door meeting at the Chumukedima police complex.
Reports said the negotiating parties felt that it was an “appropriate time” for the competencies to be shared with the people.
“Now that the process is at its final stage, the two negotiating parties feel that it is imperative that the competencies are shared with the people since they are the primary stakeholders of the Naga issue,” the report said.
The Centre is holding separate talks with the NSCN (I-M) and the working committee of NNPGs to hammer out a solution to the Naga issue. It also made it clear that there will be only one agreement to resolve the issue.