JOIN USNaga groups still hope for 'physical integration'
The Nagas living outside Nagaland are rallying round the NSCN (IM) after the outfit’s general secretary Th Muivah on said on Saturday that it had not given up on sovereignty issue while ‘physical integration’ was mentioned in the framework agreement signed with New Delhi on August 3.
“Let me be very clear, when we talk of Naga integration, we are not only talking of emotional integration, definitely political integration is a core issue and we have it as a part of the competencies of the framework agreement, Centre has assured us that it will be worked out,” said Gen (Retd) VS Atem, Emissary to the Collective Leadership of NSCN/GPRN while talking to Deccan Herald on the sidelines of the 69th Naga Independence Day on August 14 at Camp Hebron, 35 km away from Nagaland’s commercial hub Dimapur. What Atem said is significant since, a public perception was building in North-East that the Naga integration issue was dropped.
Ever since the framework agreement was signed, the state governments of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur have been pressing the Centre to spell out the details of the deal.
The Centre has been busy trying to assure the states that in no way the Centre will agree to NSCN(IM) core agenda of creation of a Greater Nagalim.
NSCN(IM) has been claiming that New Delhi has agreed to keep the demand of ‘Naga integration’ (read Greater Nagalim) as one of the competencies for further discussion of modalities for implementation in the framework agreement.
“We are not infringing on the right of the Assamese or Manipuris. We have been suppressed and we are fighting for our rights and there is no question for the Nagas to again try to suppress the right of the people. We have decided to work out a shared sovereignty with the Centre. The Naga issue cannot be solved considering Assam or Manipur interest,” Atem further added. The outfit’s stand on Naga integration kept Nagas living outside hopeful. Even since Muivah reached Camp Hebron, various Naga groups have been camping in Dimapur.