Naga Students' Federation Appeals NSCN (IM) & NNPGs to Unify for Final Solution

Kohima, March 22, 2020:

Amid uncertainty over the long-protracted Accord, which has not seen the light of day amid the disagreement between the GoI and Naga groups (ostensibly, over the demand for separate flag and Constitution and pan-Naga Hoho), the Naga Students' Federation has appealed two of the primary stakeholders to unify. This appeal was made on Naga Republic Day, i.e. March 21.

The Naga Students' Federation chided the Isaak-Muivah faction of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) and the Naga Non-Political groups for failing to be on the same page, when it comes to the talks. "At this critical phase, the NSF appreciates the NSCN-IM and the NNPG and all political groups' dynamic leadership for all the contributions they have made towards furthering the Naga cause. That said, the palpable differences in ideology and approach between the groups have been doing the Naga society much harm than good despite all that they've achieved on different negotiating tables."

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Appealing both the influential organizations to come on the same page, the NSF release said, "We sincerely appeal the political groups to forge a unified front in the interest of those who will inherit the outcome of the political negotiation."

The apex Naga student body further appealed all the Naga leaders "to shed aside their ego, mistrust and everything that is preventing them from coming together as one entity." Further advising the two groups on how to approach the final solution, the NSF stated, "The time has come for both the negotiating teams to bring whatever has been agreed upon and mutually accepted in one table, carry out deep dive study, compare and contrast to deliberate the ones which will best serve the Naga people. The NSF further advised that they should advised by "Naga experts" in Politics, Administration, Finance, Education, Constitutional, Developmental, etc. in order to cater to "socio-economic" imbalances in Naga-dominated areas.

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The apex student body, stating that is "saddened to see the ever-widening divide in our Naga society", called for unity. "We can ill afford this during critical juncture of our long political journey which has been sustained with blood, swear and tears beyond border by all Nagas."

In its statement, the NSF called upon the Indian side, led by Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, to "conclude the vexed Naga political issue."

"The GoI should now refrain from any divide and rule policy, instead change its approach based on its true merit and create a bonhomie environment to facilitate the process for early solution based on whatever has been agreed, as any reversion would only delay the process." The NSF also appealed for a solution that is "inclusive, honourable, and acceptable".

Meanwhile, the protracted talks between the NSCN (IM) and the Government, meanwhile, seem to have reached a stalemate, with the two sides seemingly at the loggerheads of separate Naga flag and Constitution. Moreover, the demand of a Pan Naga Hoho in all Naga-inhabited lands seems to be receiving mixed-reactions, with the Government stakeholder and Nagaland Governor, R N Ravi, accusing the Nagas of "misinterpretation" of the Framework Agreement that was signed between the two sides on August 2, 2015.

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