6 days ago
NSCN-IM's Thuingaleng Muivah: Nagalim's history, flag, Constitution and territorial integrity are non-negotiable
Synopsis
NSCN-IM General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah declared that Nagalim's unique history, territory, sovereignty, flag, constitution, and integration of Naga areas are non-negotiable during their 79th Independence Day celebration. Despite ongoing peace talks with the Indian government, a stalemate persists over the demands for a separate flag and constitution, opposed by the government.
IANS Guwahati: National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) General secretary Thuingaleng Muivah said that Nagalim's unique history, territory and sovereignty, national flag, national constitution (Yehzabo) and integration of all Naga contiguous areas are non-negotiable. NSCN-IM celebrates August 14 as Independence Day. Addressing the 79th Independence Day celebration of NSCN-IM in Hebron in Nagaland he said 'We will stand by our precious unique history and sovereignty, whether it is today or tomorrow. We do not demand anything from India and Burma (Myanmar) but we declare and proclaim what is rightfully ours. That is why the Nagalim's unique history, our territory and sovereignty, Nagalim national flag, Nagalim national constitution (Yehzabo) and integration of all Naga contiguous areas are non-negotiable. Hence, if India and Burma (Myanmar) respect the history of the Nagas, we will respect theirs ten times more.'
Centre and NSCN-IM are holding peace parleys. There is a stalemate between the government of India and NSCN-IM over the contentious issue of separate flag and constitution. NSCN-IM has been demanding a separate flag and Constitution which the government of India had rejected.
Greater Nagalim has been one of NSCN-IM's core demands. Greater Nagalim stipulates the integration of Naga inhabited areas of Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar. There is stiff opposition to the NSCN-IM's demand in these states.
NSCN-IM had signed a Framework Agreement with Centre in 2015. NSCN-IM claimed that the agreement acknowledged the independent nature of the Naga people, and the Government of India officially recognized the uniqueness of Naga history. Coexistence of the two entities (Nagas and Indians) sharing sovereign power has also been agreed upon.
In 2001, Manipur went up in flames and even the state legislative assembly was targeted. Many people lost their lives when the ceasefire between the Centre and NSCN-IM was extended without territorial limits.
