Kohima, May 26 (IANS). The Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) on Saturday alleged that security forces in Manipur were protecting Kuki militants while pretending to be neutral peace keepers. Along with this, they are providing logistics support through land and air to target Naga villages.
Addressing a gathering on the occasion of the 75th Naga Referendum Day at Hebron Camp, the main headquarters of the NSCN-IM in Nagaland, NSCN-IM president Kwehezu Tukku alleged that the security forces were in collusion with “Kuki narco-terrorists”. He said that the security forces are demolishing Naga defense bunkers, killing Naga civilians, burning houses and giving protection to armed groups targeting Naga villages.
He further alleged that the recent attack on three Tangkhul Naga persons by Myanmar-based Kuki militants on May 13 has raised serious questions on the role of Indian security forces.
“This use of Kuki narco-terrorists by the Indian government is a clear violation of the basic rules of the ceasefire and international indigenous rights laws,” Tukku claimed.
The NSCN-IM president said the Naga political movement and struggle for sovereignty remains a lasting legacy. He reiterated the organisation’s demand for a dignified political solution that recognizes the “unique history and rights” of the Nagas.
The Naga leader said, “Being caught in India’s well-planned political trap could take away the Naga people’s God-given freedom and land. The Nagas should be cautious in accepting any proposal that compromises Naga rights. Attractive economic packages at the cost of sovereignty are not an option for solution.”
He also accused the central government of not fulfilling the promises made under the framework agreement signed on August 3, 2015.
Tukku said, “We strongly condemn the duplicitous attitude of the Government of India, especially for breaking the promises made in the historic Framework Agreement, which envisaged an agreement recognizing the distinctiveness of the Nagas, but which is yet to be implemented.”
The NSCN-IM leader further claimed that external forces were attempting to occupy the ancestral lands of the Nagas without recognizing indigenous rights. “The Naga areas belong only to the Naga people and we will protect our God-given land at all costs,” he said.
Recalling the historical significance of the Naga referendum, Tukku said that A.Z. This referendum, organized by the Naga National Council (NNC) under the leadership of Phizo, was held after the declaration of Naga independence on August 14, 1947.
According to him, in this referendum, 99.9 percent of the Naga population had given their thumb impressions in support of an independent and sovereign Naga nation separate from the Indian Union.
More than 90 rounds of talks have taken place over decades between the Center and various Naga groups to resolve this long-pending Naga political issue.
The NSCN-IM has been consistently demanding a separate Naga flag and constitution as well as integration of the Naga-inhabited areas spread across Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur and Nagaland and parts of Myanmar.
–IANS
OP/DKP
