KOHIMA, March 8: The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) has issued a strong statement asserting that the Naga movement is neither a secessionist movement nor a law-and-order issue, as portrayed by the Indian government.

In a press release from its Ministry of Information and Publicity (MIP), the NSCN-IM clarified, “The Naga movement is neither a case of secession nor a law-and-order problem for India. Ours is purely a case of invasion and forceful occupation of our homeland by India.”

The group emphasized that the Naga people’s resistance against what they describe as Indian aggression has been well known globally. “Since the inception of the movement, the world has been informed about the Naga people’s resistance movement against Indian aggression,” the statement continued. The NSCN-IM criticized the Indian government’s military approach, accusing it of attempting to subdue the Nagas with overwhelming force. “In its effort to quell the Naga movement through sheer military might, India sent thousands of armed forces to Nagalim, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent Nagas, yet failing to achieve the desired outcome as the Naga people refused to yield,” the statement added.

The NSCN-IM also revisited past efforts by India to resolve the issue, including the Naga People’s Convention (NPC), which the group described as a “bogus” initiative. The NSCN-IM stated, “The government of India, in collusion with Naga traitors, attempted to sidetrack the Naga issue by organizing the so-called Naga People’s Convention (NPC) and producing a 16-point Indian-drafted memorandum without the knowledge or consent of the duly mandated Naga national leaders.” The group contended that the NPC’s goal was to divide the Naga people, asserting, “It was a move to legitimize India’s illegitimate occupation of Nagalim, but the Naga people rejected the imposed agreement.”

Further condemning Indian attempts to resolve the issue, the NSCN-IM called the “Shillong Accord” another betrayal of Naga principles. “The Shillong Accord was imposed on the Nagas as a political maneuver to subjugate them. It was condemned and rejected by the Naga National Assembly because it undermined Naga national principles,” the group declared.

The statement also referenced the long-standing conflict between the NSCN-IM and India, which culminated in the historic ceasefire agreement of 1997, following 22 years of intense confrontations. The NSCN-IM highlighted the Framework Agreement signed on 3 August 2015, which was witnessed by key Indian officials, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The Framework Agreement, according to the NSCN-IM, acknowledges the unique history of Naga independence and recognizes the sovereignty of the Nagas. It also outlines a shared sovereignty arrangement between India and the Nagas, stating that Nagas are the rightful owners of their land and everything above and below it.

Reaffirming their commitment to finding a peaceful solution, the NSCN-IM emphasized that they seek peace, but not at the expense of their future. “We are for peace, but not at the expense of our future,” the statement read. The group underscored the importance of preserving Naga identity, asserting, “Nagas are friendly to everyone, but we do not make friendships with those who have betrayed their identity.”

The NSCN-IM further articulated their vision for Naga state-building, stating, “Nagas are building their state on a Naga foundation. We believe in the principle of coexistence with other communities.” The group reaffirmed that the Framework Agreement is the cornerstone of Indo-Naga relations, describing it as a bridge, not a wall. “No one should ever attempt to tear down the Framework Agreement. It was achieved through the sacrifices, blood, and tears of hundreds of thousands of revolutionary patriots,” the NSCN-IM concluded.

This statement from the NSCN-IM comes as part of the ongoing effort to assert Naga sovereignty and continues to fuel the debate surrounding the future of Nagalim and its relationship with India.

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