DIMAPUR, Feb 18: The Kitovi-led Working Committee of the Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPG) has strongly criticized the NSCN (IM) over a recent statement that highlighted differences between the “Agreed Position” and the “Framework Agreement.”

In a press release issued on Monday, the WC-NNPG aimed to clear any confusion and refresh the public’s understanding of what it calls the dilution of the Naga issue, which it claims has been altered with fabricated stories.

The committee specifically targeted the Framework Agreement (FA) signed between NSCN (IM) and New Delhi. It took issue with the opening statement of the FA, which states that “The Indo-Naga political conflict is about six decades old,” arguing that this dismisses the historical contributions of thousands of Nagas who sacrificed their lives prior to 1955. The WC-NNPG argued that the Framework Agreement “casually” overlooked important historical events, such as the 1951 Plebiscite, the Nagas’ declaration of independence on August 14, 1947, and the submission of a memorandum to the Simon Commission in 1929. The committee called these omissions a “total betrayal.”

In addition to these omissions, the WC-NNPG criticized the NSCN (IM) for their statement in the Framework Agreement that they had “understood and appreciated the intricacies of the Indian system.” The committee interpreted this statement as an acknowledgment that NSCN (IM) had recognized that their earlier demands were not feasible. They went on to accuse the NSCN (IM) of quoting historical events “mindlessly” that were not featured in the Framework Agreement, highlighting that the agreement neglected to address issues such as the flag, constitution, and integration. Instead, it emphasized terms like “shared sovereignty” and “contemporary reality,” as defined in the FA’s competency clauses.

The WC-NNPG demanded clarity on the term “competency,” questioning what the NSCN (IM) meant by it and why it has not been explained to the public since the signing of the Framework Agreement. The committee stated that the concept of “shared sovereignty” has “no rational meaning in a political dialogue” and accused NSCN (IM) of rushing forward to conclude negotiations with India, ultimately surrendering the political rights and values of the Naga people.

Furthermore, the WC-NNPG claimed that after signing the Framework Agreement, NSCN (IM) is now attempting to revisit issues that were either forgotten or not understood. The committee emphasized that there should be no comparison between the Agreed Position and the Framework Agreement, as the Agreed Position is clear and without ambiguity. The committee reiterated that the Government of India has agreed to “recognize the historical and political rights of the Nagas to self-determine their future in consonance with their distinct identity” and to resolve the Indo-Naga political issues based on “contemporary political realities.”

The WC-NNPG also criticized the NSCN (IM) for its apparent lack of understanding of the history of the Naga movement, particularly the struggles of Nagas from areas outside of Manipur. The committee suggested that Nagas from Manipur were unaware of the trials faced by Nagas from other parts of the Naga Hills, currently Nagaland state. The WC-NNPG accused them of ignoring the historical significance of the Plebiscite, which was not participated in by any of the Naga tribes from Manipur.

In their statement, the WC-NNPG advised Nagas from neighboring states to refrain from interfering in the affairs of Nagaland. They emphasized that the Framework Agreement was signed long before the Agreed Position and that critical issues like freedom, independent sovereignty, and the integration of Naga-inhabited areas were not addressed in the Framework Agreement. The committee concluded that these issues had been “buried” in the Framework Agreement and asserted that it was too late to address them now. The WC-NNPG called for practical solutions that would allow the Nagas to determine their own future without external interference.

The WC-NNPG concluded their press release by urging all peace-loving Nagas to study and compare both the Agreed Position and the Framework Agreement for a clearer understanding of the issues at hand, ending with a prayer for blessings on all Nagas wherever they may be.