Peace only after Naga integration, says Muivah

NSCN(IM) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah on Friday reaffirmed the outfit’s demand for Naga integration while addressing the gathering of Naga tribesmen during the ‘69th Naga Independence Day’ celebrations at its headquarters here.

Muivah also said that the NSCN(IM) has not give up its demand for sovereignty saying the framework agreement with New Delhi that was signed on August 3 clearly mentioned  “shared sovereignty” between the Government of India and the Naga people as equal stakeholders.

“After we signed the agreement on August 3, there are some vested interested groups trying to say that we compromised on the core issues of sovereignty and Naga integration. These are false propaganda. By keeping the Nagas divided there cannot be any solution. It is very much part of the agenda. Without the Naga integration, there cannot be a complete solution,” Muivah said after hosting the ‘Naga National Flag’.

Muivah also warned the Naga community that there were groups who would try to derail the peace process, but people will have to judge them. He also claimed that the framework agreement was signed because after 18 years of negotiations, the Centre accepted that Nagas have unique identity and culture and it has to be respected.

“In negotiations it is always a give and take. A situation has been created where Indians and Nagas can co-exist, respecting each others sovereign rights. And we now believe the vision of the Indian leadership that there can be a peaceful co-existence,” Muivah added.
He also felt that the framework agreement is perhaps the best thing to have happened since the Shillong Accord of 1975 was a “total failure”.

The chief ministers Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh have already raised concerns over the agreement fearing their territorial integrity might be affected. New Delhi has been busy assuring neighbouring states that their interests will be protected.