Separate flag & constitution call restated by NSCN-IM,cites mistrust

Kohima: The NSCN-IM, one of the key stakeholders in the Naga peace talks, has reiterated its demand for a separate Naga flag and constitution.
The NSCN-IM said in a statement that the Government of India (GoI) withdrew from the framework agreement it had signed with the group in 2015.
The NSCN-IM also claimed that GoI representatives had initially agreed on a separate Naga flag and constitution.

However, they later backtracked on this commitment, the NSCN-IM said.
“Despite the government of India’s wavering stand, nothing could be further from the truth as the flag and constitution are integral parts of sovereignty. Without flag and constitution sovereignty is a form without substance,” the NSCN-IM said.
It added: “The Nagas have existed in their own land for thousands of years under our own law.”
“The Framework Agreement reiterates the unique history and place of the Nagas. The concepts of shared sovereignty and coexistence are also defined in it,” the NSCN-IM said.

“We no longer view the Indians as our enemy in the light of peaceful coexistence. But we cannot sacrifice our national principle for the sake of buying friendship.

Significantly, the Framework Agreement mentions, ‘Co-existence of the two entities sharing sovereign power.’ It means-Indians and Nagas will coexist as two entities on the basis of equality and mutual respect of rights as clearly stated by the honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

This Framework Agreement addresses the sovereign rights of the Nagas and their future as well as the security and commercial interests of India.

This historic agreement is seen and appreciated by many international peacemakers as the roadmap to a lasting peace in the Indian sub-continent,” read the NSCN-IM statement.

“Unfortunately, what has begun with much fanfare is now going the way “betrayal of trust” because of the lack of sincerity on the part of the Indian government.

This has created huge trust deficit and disillusionment among the people. Friends and critics often said the government of India is playing with time to diminish the hard-earned Framework Agreement.

But that will be too costly. The ball is in the court of Government of India,” it added.