Centre is rushing Naga peace talks: NSCN-IM

THE FACTION SAID ITS POSITION ON THE DEMAND FOR A SEPARATE NAGA NATIONAL FLAG, CONSTITUTION IS UNCHANGED

KOHIMA: The Isak-muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM), with whom the Union government signed the Framework Agreement in 2015 to pursue solution to the decades-old Naga political issue, has accused the latter of trying to rush the peace talks by offering post-solution options.

In a statement released on Friday, the NSCN-IM said the huge burden of the Naga political issue, which the Government of India is struggling to unload, is deeply rooted in “India’s malicious pleasure, violating the historical and political rights of the Naga people for more than six decades”.

The faction also said its position on the demand for a separate Naga national flag and constitution (Yehzabo) is unchanged as these are emblematic of the Naga political struggle and identity.

“NSCN’S stand is loud and clear that it would not follow the forbidden route to the Naga solution that is linked to foregoing the Naga national flag and constitution which is the face of the Naga political struggle and identity,” the statement said.

In the present context, the outfit alleged that the Centre was planting “made in India collaborators to confuse and hoodwink the Nagas with highsounding promises without political commitment to fulfil as was done in the past. NSCN-IM is, however, no longer naive enough to be carried away by such an outrageous flattery,” the statement said.

“The checkered history of the Indo-naga political issue is clear enough before us, with accords and agreements that were never meant to be implemented in letter and spirit. Naturally, the Nagas are still haunted by this flamboyant show of dealing on the Naga issue,” the statement issued said.

HT reached out to the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) for comment, but there was no response.