Muivah refuses ‘imposition’
Naga leader regrets that ‘Indian’ policymakers have backtracked on pact
Dimapur, March 21: The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) today categorically rejected any “imposition” of solution on the Naga people to resolve decades-old political problem.
Addressing the “Republic Day” function of the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim at the council headquarters, Camp Hebron, today, ato kilonser (prime minister) Thiungaleng Muivah said: “We will not accept any kind of imposition, we will accept only acceptable and honourable solution.”
He, however, appreciated that the Indian leaders appeared serious about resolving the issue.
He said he had told Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and home minister P. Chidambaram that until New Delhi respects the rights of Naga people there could be no solution to the vexed problem.
“Past is past, we have to look for the future to be better,” Muivah quoted the Prime Minister as saying during the recently concluded talks in Delhi.
He said the Prime Minister had assured of an honourable solution through political negotiations.
But he also cautioned that Nagas would decide their own future and that compromising on their stand was ruled out.
Muivah said some Indian leaders asking Nagas to accept the Indian Constitution was in total contradiction to agreement made during the pre-ceasefire days. He said the agreement clearly states that talks will be held at the prime ministerial level, in a third country without pre-condition. He regretted that Indian policymakers had backtracked on the agreement.
Seeking to clear doubts and misgivings, he told the gathering of Naga leaders and intellectuals from all over Naga-inhabited areas, that 12 years of peace talks was too long for some people, but he squarely blamed the Centre for the delay.
One of the biggest achievements so far has been India’s realisation that a military solution was not possible to address the Naga issue, he said.
Assuring the Naga people that his organisation would not betray them, Muivah said they would stand on the foundation of erstwhile Naga National Council leaders like A.Z. Phizo, Kughato Sukhai, Imkongmeren Ao, T. Sakhrie and Khadao Yanthan.
“We are here today because of them. They showed us the way,” he said.
He urged the Naga people not to deviate from what these former NNC leaders had laid out for them.
“In spite of all the disturbances, our commitment to continue with the negotiation for honourable settlement through peaceful means remains unchanged,” Isak Chishi Swu, chairman of the NSCN, said in his speech, which was read out by V.S. Atem, convenor, steering committee, the highest policy-making body of the group.
Muivah also expressed concern over some members of the NSCN running after wealth and money rather than pursuing the aspiration of Naga people.
He said if the Naga nation had to fail it would be because of the NSCN/GPRN and cautioned the members to mend their ways.
The Telegraph.
