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Nagaland : Bangkok meet rejects solution under Constitution

	September 19, 2005

NSCN harps on federation



There are no signs of an early end to the Naga problem in the troubled north-east despite several rounds of peace talks at the highest political level between New Delhi and Naga militant outfit, NSCN (IM).



The organisation has reiterated that a solution to the Naga issue cannot be acceptable under the Constitution or within the Union of India. However, during the 5th Naga People’s Consultative Meeting held at Royal Rose Bangkhapi in Bangkok on September 6, NSCN (I-M) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah pointed out that a federation of India and Nagalim, could be acceptable to the outfit.



Sources said Muivah praised Naga National Council president A.Z. Phizo who had given the axiom Ura uvie (Our land is ours).



Addressing more than 70 members from Naga NGOs, Muivah said: “Nagalim does not belong to anyone but to the Naga people alone. In the federation of India and Nagalim, Nagas will have the supreme right to decide their future”, Muivah said.



Chairman Isak Chishi Swu was not present at the meeting attended by Naga Hoho, Naga Students Federation, Naga Council Dimapur and church leaders among others.



In his message, Swu appreciated the concept of consultations and said no mistakes should occur at this crucial juncture. The NSCN (I-M) has maintained that peace talks are at a crucial juncture and any mistake could prove costly.



The meeting assumes tremendous significance as the NSCN (I-M) has agreed to extend the ongoing truce with the Centre for only six months unlike in the past when the truce was extended for a year. The meet also assumes significance as this is the first time that a high profile Naga meet is being held abroad.



However, among the prominent absentees were the representatives of the Tuensang Mon Public Organisation. The organisation did not attend the integration rally and is opposed to Hoho president Horangse Sangtam.





NNC keeps white flag aloft



Having rejected the gun culture decades ago, the Naga National Council refuses to bring down the white flag that flutters atop the peace camp for the past 41 years.



The party, founded by the legendary A.Z. Phizo, strongly believes that the Nagas attained nationhood long ago. The leaders of the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN), the militant wing of the Adino Phizo-led NNC, observed the 42nd ceasefire day or peace day last week.



The party commemorated the 1964 ceasefire agreement with the Centre and pledged its commitment to the 1975 Shillong Accord signed with New Delhi. The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) is the most vocal opponent of the Accord which, it claims, compromised the interests of the Nagas.



The NNC maintains that the Accord saved the Nagas from suffering at the hands of the Army. Criticising the NSCN (I-M) without naming it, the NNC’s Angami regional council president, Vilhouthie Rhiepfu, said it was fruitless for Nagas to reject the Accord.



Speaking in local Angami, Rhiepfu criticised the factional fighting and extortion drives. The FGN leaders stood by both peace pacts that took 11 years to materialise. Over a hundred senior people gathered at the hall for a solemn function. Fresh paint shone on some old battle helmets hanging in a hall as septuagenarian leaders recounted tales of the Nagas persistent efforts.



Kedallo (vice-president) of the FGN, L. Kaiso, said the 1964 ceasefire was international and signed by two nations. He claimed the battle was won when the Centre backed off from calling them Naga rebels and instead, included the words, Federal Government of Nagaland in the ceasefire agreement.



While children sang songs praising the elders sacrifice, rich tributes were paid to the Nagaland Peace Mission which had mediated between the NNC and the Centre.



A veteran NNC woman leader suggested displaying photographs of NPM members Rev. Michael Scott and Jaiprakash Narain in the hall where the deliberations took place. “We are grateful to those people, and especially to church leaders for bringing peace to Nagaland”, she said. The church leaders had negotiated with the army to stop atrocities on villagers”, she added.