DIMAPUR, Aug 23 - The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC), in a memorandum submitted to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has categorically stated that it would not accept a �mere population integration� and wanted that the solution to the Naga political problem should be inclusive with prior consent of all stakeholders, including all Naga national political groups.
NTC president Lendinoktang Ao and general secretary Nribemo Ngullie, in the memorandum submitted through the Nagaland Governor, stated that the council was constrained to write to the Prime Minister �concerning our inherent rights since the indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland were not at all aware of the contents of the framework agreement.�
In view of the 18 years of political negotiations between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM and the contemplation to arrive at a conclusion, the NTC said, �If not for physical integration of both land and its people, it can never accept mere population integration.� It was further made known to the Prime Minister that the NTC steadfastly stood for an �inclusive solution.�
�In the event of any negotiation leading to finalisation of any agreement under the framework covering Nagaland, prior consent of the stakeholders is a must and all the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) must be taken on board for an inclusive solution so that the solution arrived will become lasting and acceptable to all,� the NTC stated.
Making its stand explicitly clear to the Prime Minister, the NTC said the Nagas of Nagaland were not in a position �to accept any point under the framework that either modifies, dilutes or infringes upon any provision in Article 371(A) under any circumstances.�
While stating that the pioneers of India considered the Nagas of Nagaland vulnerable, the Council said they (pioneers) found the tradition, culture, lands and its resources an inalienable part of life of the Nagas and felt the need to protect and preserve them in the interest of both the Nagas and the country. �In view of providing legal insulation from possible exploitation, the conditions in the 16-point memorandum of 1960 were incorporated in Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution at the creation of the 16th State of Nagaland,� it said.
Reminding the Prime Minister that point No. 13 of the 16-point memorandum referred to the integration of Naga contiguous areas, the NTC said it would �uphold the principle of amalgamation of all the Naga-inhabited areas in North East India into a single administrative unit, and this has been the long cherished desire of the Nagas of Nagaland.�
Nagaland, being one of the smallest States in terms of geographical area (16,579 sq km) having an almost two million population, the NTC said for the survival of the ethnic indigenous inhabitants and with the limited area of land, �we cannot afford to allow Nagaland to become a concentration camp or designated area for all hues.�
