DIMAPUR, March 21: Rh Raising, a senior leader of the NSCN (IM), emphasized on Friday that any solution to the Indo-Naga issue must be based on the Framework Agreement, rejecting any alternatives.

Speaking to the media after the group’s 46th Republic Day celebration at CHQ/Hebron, Raising made it clear that the NSCN (IM) will not accept any solution that deviates from this agreement. He asserted that while unity and reconciliation among Nagas are essential, the talks regarding a solution should exclusively involve Naga representatives and the Government of India.

Raising criticized the Nagaland GB Federation (NGBF), accusing them of being “pro-Indian” and no longer supporting the Naga cause. He explained that while the NSCN (IM) had once trusted the NGBF, the latter had deviated from its initial stance. This comment was in reference to a recent development on March 20, where the NGBF’s peace committee convened a consultative meeting of Naga bodies. The meeting discussed, among other things, the integration of the Framework Agreement and the Agreed Position into a common document.

The NSCN (IM) leader further emphasized that the Naga people had given their mandate to solve the issue with the Government of India, and thus, the solution should involve only the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) as the true representatives of the Naga people. He added that while unity among Nagas is possible, it must be based on principles, not on agreements such as the Shillong Accord or the 16-Point Agreement, which he believes betrayed the Naga cause.

Raising also mentioned that the Naga struggle is rooted in principles and that the negotiations and eventual solution should align with those principles. He warned that any solution that strays from these principles would simply repeat the mistakes of the past, particularly the 16-Point Agreement. Raising reiterated that after the fall of the NNC, the Naga National Hoho had mandated the NSCN (IM) to represent the Naga people, and the group continues to uphold the Naga cause without betrayal.

In response to accusations that the NSCN (IM) is delaying the solution, Raising countered that there is no delayed solution, but rather, a solution must be based on Naga principles. He remarked that if the Government of India is ready to resolve the issue based on these principles, a solution could be achieved swiftly. Raising concluded by asserting that the Naga unity and solution must follow the line of the Naga Constitution, not the Indian or Burmese Constitutions.