Press statement against NIA’s libelous campaign against NSCN

News Desk

Ever since the Indo-Naga Ceasefire was signed in 1997 to pave the way for political talks, much water has flown down the mighty Brahmaputra River. What have to be discussed have been discussed and only the issue of the Naga National Flag and Constitution remains for final touch. Naga flag and constitution symbolize the political identity of the Naga people. Thus, this issue carried high national sentiment. The world at large is also silently keeping track of the progress of the Indo-Naga political talks.

There is however, a certain agency (National Investigation Agency/NIA) under the garb of an investigation agency but performing the role of terror agency, recklessly trailing NSCN to stigmatize and label the organization as terrorist organization. NSCN, however, stands tall and unflappable keeping in view the fruition of the twenty three (23) years of Indo-Naga political talks that is moving towards logical conclusion. NSCN thus, have the temerity and dignity to set the record straight before the world domain.

It is pertinent to point out that NIA came into existence more than ten (10) years after Indo-Naga political talks started in 1997. When Government of India (GoI) under Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao approached NSCN we agreed to start political negotiation only after GoI recognized the Naga issue as political and stopped terming it as India’s “Internal Law and Order Issue”. Hence, the GoI declared that military solution is not possible as political problem calls for political solution. It was therefore, on account of the change in the policy of the GoI that NSCN agreed to sit across the negotiating table. Ceasefire was officially declared on August 1, 1997 and it was agreed that the political dialogue shall be at the highest level: Prime Minister Level, Without Pre-Condition and Outside India in a Third Country.

Thanks to the GoI that the Indo-Naga political talks continues unhindered notwithstanding the change of political leadership. Important milestone was achieved with the signing of the Amsterdam Joint Communiqué of July 11, 2002 and the GoI officially recognized the “Unique history and situation of the Nagas”. This official recognition of the unique history and situation of the Nagas was the first realistic step forward in the political negotiation.

With the Indo-Naga political talks having gained momentum, the GoI renewed its official invitation to the NSCN leadership Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and the General Secretary and Naga Chief Negotiator Th. Muivah to come to New Delhi in December, 2002 through the Amsterdam Joint Communiqué and the subsequent MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, dated 18th November, 2002, Milan Italy. The MoU was in addition to a conscious decision of the GoI to discontinue the ban on NSCN under the India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Significantly, the historic Framework Agreement (FA) had its origin in the year 2010 during the interlocutorship of RS. Pandey when the GoI submitted its first comprehensive official response to the NSCN in New Delhi, wherein, it proposed that the political dialogue should move forward on the principle of “Shared Sovereignty”. The much hyped Framework Agreement of 3rd August, 2015 was signed at the official residence of India’s Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi under the glare of the whole world as it was live telecast. All the important stakeholders of the two parties were present. Mention may be made of the then Indian Home Minister, Rajnath Singh, Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval who were present when the FA was signed. It was a high profile political program not accorded to any organization in the history of India.

The FA thus, reaffirmed that the Indo-Naga issue is political and upheld the recognized “Unique history and situation” of the Nagas. The FA also acknowledged the intricacies of the Indian political system and in consonance with contemporary realities both the parties acknowledged that violent confrontation must end to usher peace and progress in our land. Both the parties are cognizant of the universal principle that in democracy sovereignty lies with the people and lastly, an enduring inclusive peaceful co-existence of the two entities (nations) can be achieved only through shared sovereign power as defined in the competencies.

During the course of the negotiations NSCN have made its stand very loud and clear that an acceptable political solution can be arrived at only through respect for a people’s history and their national identity.

The mutually agreed competencies and the recognition of the core issue of Naga National Flag and Constitution are based on the FA, therefore, it does not undermine the security or integrity of India. Thus, NSCN had made its stand clear that it is imperative that the principle of FA must be taken to its logical conclusion.

GPRN strongly disapproves the NIA for its deliberate indulgence to go libelous against the very party engaged with the GoI negotiating for a peaceful political solution that is honorable and acceptable. Who gave the sanction to NIA to put the tag ‘terrorist’ against NSCN? NIA came into being in 2008 following the terror attack in Mumbai. By then, the Indo-Naga political talk has taken deep root as the talk was carried in the spirit of mutual trust and respect.

As agreed, NSCN is no longer a banned organization that NIA can dabble with. Legally and politically, NIA have no authority to label NSCN as terrorist organization. For its historical and political legitimacy the GoI boldly entered into political negotiations with NSCN. For the same reason NSCN was admitted into the fold of UNPO (Unrepresented Nations and People’s Organization). UNPO gives no qualification to any organization to become its bona fide member if it uses terrorism as an instrument of policy.

Besides being a member of UNPO, NSCN is also a signatory of the Geneva Call “Deed of Commitment” wherein NSCN gave the commitment to non-use of uncontrolled anti-personnel mines.

It would be a breach of trust and commitment on the part of the GoI if it allows NIA to run amok to fool the world communities and undo the hard earned achievement of Indo-Naga political talks spanning over 23 years. Thus, it would be a matter of credibility and seriousness for GoI to rein on NIA to stop forthwith its slanderous campaign against NSCN.

The NIA’s repeated slander against NSCN is not only nasty and disgusting but sending a confusing signal. NSCN puts on record that this misplaced tag ‘terrorist’ against NSCN be clarified.

NIA be reminded that when the Government of India and NSCN signed ceasefire, there was also agreement on “Agreed Ground Rules” for the ceasefire. The principle understanding was that all present NIA cases are placed under the purview of Agreed Ground Rules which should be resolved within its mechanism which is officially set up headed by Special Secretary, Internal Security (MHA), GoI as the Chairman for Ceasefire Review Meeting and Chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG).

Issued by MIP, NSCN/GPRN