KOHIMA, 14 Jan: The NSCN (IM) and the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) on Saturday declared their unconditional commitment to collaborate for the resolution of the Naga political issue with the government of India.
The declaration comes after four months of signing the September joint accordant between the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak Muivah) – (NSCN (IM) – and the NNPGs, comprising at least seven Naga groups which have been engaged in separate dialogue with the Centre for a solution to the vexed Naga political issue (NPI).
Since the ‘September joint accordant’ inked on 14 September, the NNPGs and the NSCN (IM) have agreed to form the ‘Council of Naga Relationships and Cooperation’, led by the convener of the NNPGs and the chairman of the NSCN, to explore, at the earliest, realistic ways for Nagas to move forward on the basis of Naga historical and political rights.
“In affirmation of this position, the NNPGs and the NSCN on this day declare our unconditional commitment to collaborate on the basis of our respective agreements, with immediate effect, for the resolution of the Naga historical and political rights with the government of India,” they said in the joint declaration.
Appended by NSCN (IM) chairman Q Tuccu and NNPG convener N Kitovi Zhimomi, they also appealed to the Naga people to stand with them to prevent any further division of the shared belonging.
“This statement is a political speech of the undeniable Naga soul,” they said.
The joint statement was issued after a meeting facilitated by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, a body which has been working for peace, reconciliation and coming together of the Naga groups, at an undisclosed location.
The government of India has been holding separate dialogue with the NSCN (IM) and the Working Committee of the NNPGs since 1997 and 2017, respectively.
It inked the framework agreement with the NSCN (IM) in August 2015, and the agreed position with the NNPGs in November 2017.
While the NNPGs have agreed to accept a solution and continue the dialogue, the NSCN (IM) has been rigid on its demand for a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas, which has been delaying a final solution to the decades-old negotiations. (PTI)
