KOHIMA, Feb 1: The Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) on Friday said that if Indians respect the history of the Nagas, the Nagas will reciprocate by respecting the history of India tenfold. The remark was made by NSCN-IM Vice Chairman Tongmeth Wangnao during the group’s 46th raising day celebration at their headquarters, Hebron.
Wangnao addressed the gathering by highlighting two key moments when the Indian government officially recognized the unique history and rights of the Naga people. The first was the recognition of Naga history during a meeting held in Amsterdam on July 11, 2002. The second recognition came in the form of the historic Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015, in New Delhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi playing a pivotal role. The signing of the Framework Agreement was a significant event in the ongoing India-Naga political dialogue, with high-profile ministers including then Home Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and the Chief of Army Staff, all present to witness the agreement. The signing ceremony was also broadcast live, making it a globally acknowledged milestone in the peace process.
“We have been engaging with the Government of India for over 27 years, standing on the truth behind the Naga political movement,” Wangnao said. He expressed regret over the unethical conduct of some government agencies that, he claimed, had created numerous obstacles in the path of Naga political talks. Despite these challenges, Wangnao emphasized the NSCN-IM’s determination to continue the fight for the Naga people’s legitimate rights to self-determination.
The Vice Chairman also noted that the NSCN-IM’s political movement had gained international recognition. The group was admitted as a full member of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO), and it has made occasional appearances in United Nations human rights and indigenous forums, strengthening its case in the negotiations with the Indian government.
“The international dimension has added weight to our negotiations, leading to the signing of the Framework Agreement that acknowledges our sovereign rights as a nation,” Wangnao added. He reiterated the group’s commitment to the principles of ‘Nagalim for Christ’ and underscored the importance of continuing the struggle to defend the Naga people and their political identity.
The Naga political talks have been ongoing since the signing of the ceasefire agreement between the NSCN-IM and the Indian government in 1997. In 2015, the Framework Agreement was signed, which served as the foundation for further negotiations. Parallel talks were initiated in 2017 with the Working Committee of the Naga National Political Groups, which represents at least seven Naga factions. In November 2017, they signed the Agreed Position.
Despite these negotiations, the NSCN-IM remains firm in its demands for a separate flag and constitution for the Nagas, as well as the integration of Naga-inhabited areas across four northeastern states — Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland — and parts of Myanmar. The group’s leadership continues to push for a political solution that will grant the Naga people greater autonomy and recognition of their distinct identity.
