NEW DELHI, Sept 25 - The Naga Students� Federation (NSF) today took out a rally here, seeking an �early, inclusive, honourable and acceptable solution to the protracted Naga political issue�.
The rally started from the Mandi House and culminated at the Jantar Mantar. NSF leaders addressed the rally, demanding early resolution of the Naga political issue.
In a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister�s Office (PMO), the NSF categorically stated that Naga people would not accept any solution that is imposed on them. �We shall not accept a solution that is not honourable and also ensure that the dignity of every Naga individual is respected,� the NSF said.
�It is an earnest appeal of the federation to your government to understand that, the failures of the previous agreements were due to the core issues pertaining to the Nagas not being addressed. It is a fact that the Nagas will not accept any solution if the issues, which are dear to their hearts, are not addressed and that such an attempt will only plunge the Naga society into another dark phase of bloodshed and violence,� the memorandum said.
Meanwhile, in an interview with a news agency, NSCN (I-M) general secretary Th Muivah said at the Council HQ in Hebron on Tuesday that the fate of the Indo-Naga peace talks would depend on how the Government of India responds to the �situation� when both the parties go back to the negotiating table next month.
The NSCN (I-M) general secretary said that the term �inclusive� in the Framework Agreement has been �differently� interpreted by the Government of India. Muivah elucidated that �inclusive� means inclusive of all the Nagas.
�However, the Government of India interprets the term �inclusive� as Nagas to be in the Indian Union even after the settlement of the Indo-Naga political issue,� said Muivah. He said that the NSCN (I-M) has �rejected this interpretation� of the term, �inclusive�, by the Government of India.
On their demand for a separate flag and a constitution, Muivah said, �Flag and constitution are our identity,� and added that without these two, there cannot be a solution.
Dimapur Correspondent adds: Four unions of Khonoma village in Kohima district have urged the Central Government not to treat the Nagas as people who �have no option but to keep fighting or surrender�.
�Nagas will fight without violence to defend their rightful position and their sovereignty shall never be compromised,� president of Khonoma Ruffuno Nagaland Nisavi Hieme, president of Semoma Union Kevisekho Chucha, president of Thevoma Union Asielie Whiso and president of Merhuma Union Megoruzo Chase said today in a joint statement titled �Khonoma position on the Naga struggle�.
The statement said from the very beginning, Khonoma village has contributed a fair share to the launching and nurturing of the �heroic Naga struggle�. �Today her sons and daughters are humbly grateful and proud of the role their village played along with all other Naga villages and tribes to establish our people�s common identity and nationhood,� it said.
The statement said the Naga struggle has revealed that India cannot even discuss Naga sovereignty as India is a young democracy although it is a very ancient nation and civilisation. �But that does not mean we are to treat our history as if it is not true or not important for our proper development,� it said.
