Copyright tribuneindia
Naga leader Thuingaleng Muivah on Wednesday, while making a rare public appearance in front of a huge gathering in Ukhrul district of Manipur, emphasised that the Naga flag, constitution and territory are non-negotiable and the only honourable political agreement (for peace with the Centre) will be according to the letter and spirit of the 2015 Framework Agreement and the 2002 Amsterdam Joint Communique.The 91-year old general secretary of NSCN (IM), who arrived in Ukhrul, where his ancestral village Somdal is situated, more than 50 years after he had left it to seek sovereignty for Naga people, attended a grand welcome ceremony, where thousands of Nagas were present along with top leadership of NSCN (IM). Muivah’s wife was also present on the occasion.A visibly frail Muivah waved to onlookers from an open vehicle as he was driven through the streets of Ukhrul, flanked by his comrades.Owing to ill health, Muivah’s 11-page speech was read out by another NSCN (IM) leader during the ceremony. In the speech, he said, “... I reiterate that the only honourable and negotiated political agreement shall be in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Amsterdam Joint Communiqué and the Framework Agreement, which officially recognise Nagalim’s unique history, sovereignty, territory, national flag and constitution.”He further emphasised, “I therefore call upon all Nagas, wherever they are, not to waver or cower but to join the national salvation line based on the letter and spirit of the Amsterdam Joint Communiqué and the Framework Agreement.”“We also inform the leadership of India that... the Naga national flag and Naga national Constitution are non-negotiable. We also want to make it clear to the Government of India that the NSCN/GPRN does not recognise any other so-called ‘agreements’ signed by the Government of India with some factions to duplicate and sabotage the letter and spirit of the Amsterdam Joint Communiqué and the Framework Agreement,” Muivah added.The Naga leader, who earlier arrived in a chopper, was received at Bakshi Ground, where locals dressed in traditional attire had lined up the streets to greet him. The town came to a standstill as shops and business establishments remained closed for the occasion.Attacking the Centre, Muivah said, “It is imperative to inform the Naga people that in spite of the milestone steps taken by the two parties, the Government of India has betrayed the letter and spirit of the Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015, by refusing to recognise and acknowledge the Nagalim national flag and national Constitution.”He alleged that the “Government of India is not in a position to implement the letter and spirit of the Framework Agreement. Hence, in order to destroy the Amsterdam Joint Communiqué and the Framework Agreement, it has orchestrated the strategy of dividing the Naga people from within”.“We counsel the Government of India and its leadership to value and honour the decisions of its past and present Prime Ministers, including PV Narasimha Rao, HD Deve Gowda, IK Gujral, AB Vajpayee, Dr Manmohan Singh, Narendra Modi, and its decision-makers, who had sincerely contributed towards the realisation of the Indo-Naga political peace process and the official signing of the Amsterdam Joint Communiqué and the Framework Agreement during the 28 years of political negotiation,” Muivah said.The Naga leader thanked the Tangkhul community, civil society groups, human rights activists, students and the churches for facilitating his long-awaited homecoming.He will staying in Somdal for the next few days before proceeding to Nagaland.
