GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF NAGALIM
Ministry of Information and Publicity
Press Statement against Indian Union Minister of State for Planning
Mr. Ashwani Kumar
29th April, 2011
This press statement is in response to the controversial press reportage of the Indian Union Minister of State for Planning Mr. Ashwani Kumar that appeared in the Nagaland local dailies, dated 28 April, 2011 during the election campaign for Mr. S.C Jamir. We seriously question Mr. Ashwani Kumar statement that, “ Government of India is prepared for wide ranging talks with the Naga people on finding an honourable and mutually acceptable solution (to the Naga issue) within the framework of the Indian constitution”.
The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) is therefore constrained to issue this statement lest the public are misinformed by such unfounded statement that is not based on any official commitment or agreement between the Government of India (GoI) and NSCN.
In the first place, let it be known that there is no such an agreement that the Indo-Naga Political issue will be solved “within the framework of Indian Constitution”. From the historical point of view the imposition of Indian Consitution upon the Nagas was the beginning of the Indo-Naga conflict and for the Nagas that can never be the solution.
Realising the futility of seeking solution to the Indo-Naga political conflict through brute force, the GoI proposed a political dialogue that was later accepted by the NSCN as the more realistic approach. Thereafter, peaceful political dialogue was initiated on the basis of three mutually agreed terms: at the highest level, without any conditions and in a third country. Subsequently, the GoI accepted that the negotiation was between two entities and on July, 11, 2002 recognised the unique history and situation of the Nagas. The Prime Ministers of India agreed that the Indo-Naga issue must be solved through political negotiation and Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh also officially assured that the GoI will seek solution outside the box.
The NSCN seriously views such an irresponsible statement when both the entities are seriously trying to find an honourable and peaceful political solution. Therefore, the statement made by Mr. Ashwani is a blatant breach of trust. It must, therefore, be clarified if his statement reflects the opinions of the Government of India.
Mr. Ashwani also violated the official understanding and commitment between the Government of India and the NSCN that all official statements on Indo-Naga Political Talks will be made only from the Prime Minister’s Office, Home Minister and India’s Interlocutor for the Indo-Naga peace talks, Mr.R.S Pandey.
The NSCN have done their best they could in the past and are prepared to continue in the same spirit until an honourable political settlement is arrived at. But today we are forced to go back to the people and discuss it in a very serious manner to make the point clear that it will not accept Indian constitution under any circumstances.
Issued by
MIP/GPRN