DIMAPUR, Dec 26 - Making its position clear on the final solution to the decades-old Naga problem, the Joint Council of NSCN(IM) said the framework agreement arrived at between the Government of India and NSCN-IM will constitute the final political settlement that is acceptable and honourable to both India and the Nagas.
It said the framework agreement lays the foundation for an acceptable and honourable settlement between India and the Nagas.
�We are very much clear with regard to the road map for the final solution of the Indo-Naga issue,� the NSCN-IM Joint Council said in a statement today. Therefore, the political settlement shall not come via any other route including pre-conditions or the Constitution of India, the statement asserted.
The NSCN-IM also sought to underline that it must also be adequately understood that there is no other peace process or political negotiation outside the present one between the Government of India and the NSCN. It said the process had started, at the highest level without pre-condition and outside India, in a third country and consequently, the Government of India recognised the unique history and situation of the Nagas and a �Framework Agreement� was arrived at.
The NSCN-IM recalled that their chairman Isak Chishi Swu had issued a statement appealing to all people �to forgive our (NSCN) past mistakes, we have also forgiven their past mistakes, big or small.� Swu further welcomed all to the peace process resulting in the recent signing of the �framework agreement.� �Come one and all. We welcome you all. Together we will build our Nation,� he appealed.
It pointed out that after 18 years of long, tough negotiations the Government of India and NSCN have signed the historic �framework agreement� on August 3, 2015.
�Both the parties agreed that sovereignty, according to the universal principle of democracy, lies with the people, not government or monarch. And that sovereignty of the Nagas lies with the Naga people,� it stated.
It added that the agreement also says that land and its resources of both below and above the earth totally belong to the Nagas. �The Nagas will have the right to exercise their sovereign power over their territories. Nagas are the master of their land,� the NSCN-IM asserted.
