Dimapur, August 14: The NSCN (IM) has made its position clear that Nagas will co-exist with India sharing sovereign powers as agreed in the Framework Agreement and defined in the competencies, but will not merge with India.
“The Nagas will co-exist with India sharing sovereign powers as agreed in the Framework Agreement and defined in the competencies. But they will not merge with India,” stated Th. Muivah, Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister), NSCN/GPRN on the 74th Independence Day celebration held at the Council Headquarters, Hebron, on August 14.
Muivah’s speech was read out on his behalf by Kilo Kilonser (Home Minister) of GPRN, David Mero. This year’s Independence Day celebration was a short and simple one without fanfare due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Muivah recalled that after series of intensive discussions basing on the principle of the proposed ‘co-existence and shared-sovereignty’, the Framework Agreement was arrived at and officially signed on 3rd August, 2015. He said the Government of India through the Framework Agreement recognized the sovereignty of the Nagas.
“The agreement also says, “Inclusive peaceful coexistence of the two entities sharing sovereign power”. By ‘inclusive’ it means all Naga in different administrative units and political camps are to be included in the agreement. Coexistence of the two entities is self-explanatory. It means the two peoples and nations will co-exist,” he said.
Muivah also made it clear that Nagas are not asking for Naga national flag and constitution from the Government of India. “Recognize them or not, we have our own flag and constitution. Flag and constitution are ingredients of our recognized sovereign entity and the symbols of Naga nationhood. The Nagas must keep their flag and constitution,” he stated.        (Full Text of Muivah’s Speech) (Page News Service)
