The letter and spirit of the Framework Agreement:
Oking, dated: 16th December, 2022
The Framework Agreement says, “The Government of India recognizes the unique history and position of the Nagas.”
By unique history, it means – the Nagas have the history of independence. The Nagas have neither been a part of Union of India nor that of Burma (Myanmar), nor any other powers by consent or by conquest.
By unique position, it means – position and situation of Nagalim is political. It is a case of invasion on Nagalim by India, not law and order problem of India.
It says, “Both sides have understood each other’s respective positions and are cognizant of the universal principle that in a democracy sovereignty lies with the people.” And that, it is an acknowledged fact that the sovereignty of Nagalim lies with the Naga people.
Government of India admits the historical fact that the sovereign Naga people had not accepted the Indian constitution, and they do not accept it. Acknowledging the position of the Nagas and appreciating the intricacies of the Indian system, the Government of India, during the tenure of the then Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, proposed the option of solving the problem on the basis of the principle of shared-sovereignty, which was subsequently signed under the leadership of the present Prime Minister, Narendra Modi on 3rd August, 2015.
By shared-sovereignty, it means – the sovereign Indian people and the sovereign Naga people will share sovereign power in some areas as defined in the competencies.
Recognizing the national identity of the Nagas and admitting that the Naga people had rejected Union of India offered to them by the Constituent – Assembly of India, the Government of India proposed for an enduring inclusive new relationship of peaceful co-existence of the two entities.
By inclusive, it means – it embraces all Nagas wherever they are including all political groups.
By new relationship, it means – a new relationship based on the Framework Agreement.
By co-existence of the two entities, it means – coexistence of two peoples – Indian people and Naga people.
On the questions of Naga National flag and constitution, it is a common knowledge known to the Indian leaders too that flag and constitution are constituent parts of sovereignty. There should be no ambiguity about it.
Hence, competencies are being worked out on the principle of the Framework Agreement.
(Q. Tuccu) (Tongmeth Wangnao) (Th. Muivah)
Chairman Vice-Chairman Gen. Secretary
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