DIMAPUR, March 6 - The NSCN-IM has deplored the manner in which Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi has expressed his position to the �long-pending political issue between India and Nagalim.�
Drawing attention to Gandhi�s remark on �Naga Accord� in the Parliament, the NSCN-IM said he could not still fathom the seriousness of Indo-Naga political conflict, which has been dragging on for more than seven decades.
In a press release, the NSCN-IM said Nagas have been quietly observing Gandhi who has been rigorously campaigning against August 3 Framework Agreement wherever he goes by �undermining the undefeatable sentiment� attached to the long-pending political issue.
However, it said the latest avoidable remark made in the Lok Sabha on March 2 last did not augur well with the Nagas and henceforth necessitated response. It stated that Rahul�s �self created� terminology like �Naga Accord� was non-existent and misleading.
The outfit said Gandhi was expected to know that the ongoing Indo-Naga talks started during the Congress Government under Narasimha Rao�s premiership. It reminded that it was �your Prime Minister who came all the way to Paris to meet Isak Chishi Swu and Th Muivah seeking peaceful terms of negotiation and thus NSCN responded positively� and hence started the ceasefire followed by political negotiation between the two parties.
However, the NSCN-IM said it was strange how he was opposed to peaceful resolutions as in August 3 Framework Agreement. It maintained that the Framework Agreement was a political document with a set of mutually agreed principles, which would �act as a guide book in finding the final solution between India and Naga people.� Under such serious and sensitive situation, it said �a man in his stature� was expected to understand the basic nature of the case and not �resort to childish mockery and amusement� to the most serious conflict.
NSCN-IM requested Gandhi to leave aside electoral politics and not take sides with the Congress-ruled Manipur and Assam but show statesmanship as an upcoming leader. NSCN-IM appealed to all the leaders in India to contribute positively and support the ongoing talks so that peace and prosperity will dawn for the Naga people.
