GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF NAGALIM
Ministry of Information and Publicity
PRESS STATEMENT
Hebron, the 21st December, 2018
Indo-Naga peace talks have, after years of deliberation following the cease fire declaration in July, 1997 made considerable progress: the Government of India officially acknowledged and recognized the ‘unique history and situations’. The subsequent Framework Agreement signed and declared on the 3rd August, 2015 is also fundamentally based on the unique history of the Naga people and co-existence through shared sovereignty between the two entities. These are the core principles for bringing about final and lasting solution acceptable to both the parties.
The reportage of Pradip Deka (December 19, 2018) titled, “No lateral talks with militants, die fighting or surrender, says Deputy National Security Advisor RN Ravi” gives an impression that the Indo-Naga political dialogue, as seeking solution within the framework of the Indian Constitution or Union of India. It is an intend negotiation for the political talks and between the GOI and the NSCN.
Nagas have suffered long enough, have shed enough blood and lost many precious lives. No part of Naga history at any given point of time has ever been more serious as today or propitious political climate such as today is likely to repeat more often. History reminds mankind: How many lives are a man’s worth that one should gamble over the rights of a nation?
Deviating from the honorable “Out of box” approach towards a hard line position is clearly a deviation from the Framework Agreement which is based on the mutual respect and recognition of the two entities as mentioned.
Nagas have accepted the honorable way for the concerned parties, but the GOI obviously is treading the path of ‘MACHIAVELLIANISM’. It will be a conscious and deliberate betrayal of the GOI’s position to seek solution without precondition at the highest political level, outside India in a third country and based on the officially recognized unique history and situation of the Nagas.
GOI should have the courage and the boldness at this juncture for her larger security interest. If lasting and honorable peace is what she desires, she should not drive away the Nagas or those who seek peace.
Military solution will surely lead to a fresh epidemic conflict that will cost dearly the lives of both. There is no foundational or logical basis in that approach after 20 plus years of political negotiation. Rhetoric’s might have its own political roots. But, both the parties have now left behind their classical positions and have sought an honorable way out of the conflict. If this environment is not exploited by the GOI, then it amounts to deliberate departure from seeking peaceful solution through political negotiation.
Political negotiation must not be reduced to seeking political gain of any parties. It amounts to betrayal of the basic principles of the political negotiation and of the 3ed August, 2015 Framework Agreement. Wisdom will prevent heartache and bring about honorable solution and permanent peace for both. It is required for both, to honor the moral principles already agreed by both the parties.
KUKNALIM!
Issued by the MIP