‘Agreed position’ has space for Naga flag, says WC-NNPG

Dimapur, Dec. 18 (EMN): The working committee of NNPG (WC-NNPG) has maintained that the ‘agreed position’ it had signed with the government of India on November 17, 2017, has space for the Naga flag, and it is wrong to seek permission for its usage from the Centre.

In a statement issued on Friday, the committee asserted that every sovereign, independent nation in the world is identified and recognised by its flag and constitution.

“However, since Nagas and Indians will co-exist, the Naga flag will be honoured and given due respect and space it deserves. The flag has a cultural and spiritual significance. It is Naga identity. Above all, it is a covenant between God and the Naga people and so it will be an integral part of Indo-Naga solution. This, the GoI has clearly been told and reminded on the negotiation table. Therefore, on the eve of political solution, WC-NNPG has encouraged all Naga tribal bodies and GBs in towns and villages to place Naga flags in cultural and traditional institutions such as in morungs and village customary courts or in the residences of village chiefs…the destabilising propaganda at play behind Naga flag and constitution is a greater mischief against Naga tribes and general public,” read the statement.

According to the committee, the ‘agreed position’ reaffirms and entrenches the formation of Naga Club; submission of memorandum to Simon Commission; August 14 Declaration of Independence; and 1951 Naga Plebiscite.

It stated that the ‘framework agreement’ between NSCN (IM) and the Centre refers to the Indo-Naga political conflict as “about six decades old”.

“An entity that describes Naga political conflict as being about six decades old must explain to the people as to who and why the pre-1955 conflict decades became inconsequential and erased. The cardinal error in the political document must be corrected. Analytically, the signatories of the FA imply they understood and appreciated the intricacies of Indian constitution, based on which the talks, in their own words, ‘successfully concluded’. FA as a political document has no real substantial ground on the issue of Naga self determination, flag, constitution or integration.

“Every state in India is unique and so sharing of sovereign powers between centre and state is enshrined in the Indian constitution. Thousands of innocent Naga patriots, leaders, followers and sympathisers were accused of treachery and killed on the pretext of defending Naga freedom and self determination. FA neither answers the aspiration of the living nor comforts the martyrs in their cold nameless graves,” it stated.

The committee went on to state that Nagas currently are witnessing some frantic, dubious ambassadorial activities by a group of ‘de-recognised, self appointed civil society leaders’.

“These ill-motivated Naga civil societies are further disintegrating and severing the fabric of Naga unity with their sponsored views and motives. They are very good at mimicry on stage. The GoI too must be aware of the narrative of these members but the truth unmasks them. The sooner this travelling circus drama ends, the better for Nagas. 

“WC-NNPG calls out to the Naga Hoho, NMA, NSF, NPMHR, newly formed GNF and self-proclaimed Naga intellectual forums, scholar clubs and social media proponents of FA etc., on why there is pin drop silence on the glaring omissions of historical milestones in the FA. Uncanny resemblance in the press statements of these organisations is a confirmation that they attend same tutorial classes, swallowing the narrative hook, line and sinker,” the statement read.

According to the committee, its status paper states that the Naga Tatar Hoho shall be the apex body to legislate on sovereign matters concerning culture, customs, and procedures as with land and resources of the Nagas.

“A new political structure shall be extended to our land and people living in Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh in the manner of Regional Territorial Councils, in the interest of Nagas as well as neighbours while similar reforms shall be undertaken for Nagas in Assam. This will ensure enduring peaceful co-existence between Nagas and Indians and also between Nagas and neighbouring communities. The proposed settlement is inclusive of all Nagas.

“The interest of Nagas in Myanmar too has been outlined and boldly expressed. The status paper presented to the Naga tribes, elected representatives, present and past parliamentarians and genuine social reformers, intellectuals etc., shows that WC-NNPG has not deviated from the core Naga aspiration,” it added.

Also, the committee maintained that ‘traditional Naga tribal institutions’ like the 14 Naga tribes and other sub-tribes, Nagaland Gaon Burah Federation (NGBF), NTC, ENPO and CNTC etc., are ‘the real representatives of the people’.

“They act on common sense and logic and not on the whims and fancies of anyone. They are not remote-controlled. Their wisdom, patriotism and leadership shine through on any given issue. Nagas are fiercely loyal to their own soil. It is true that occupational forces redrew boundaries without Naga consent as Myanmar, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. In order to regain the trust of neighbours, one must learn to respect them, be rational in approach and exhibit patience and acceptance. These are essential components if Naga integration is to materialise tomorrow,” it stated.