Below is an article published by E-Pao:

The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) in press statement through its MIP strongly refuted the Government of India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) wild allegation using the term 'Terrorist' against National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN).

'This is a calculated act to sabotage the ongoing Indo- Naga political talks that is entering 15 years now.

It must be viewed as a serious breach of trust and lack of sincerity on the part of GOI.

It has come as a great shock to the NSCN in particular and the Nagas in general', the statement said.

In the lengthy statement signed by Az.Jami Killonser, MIP said, compelled by historical circumstances, the NSCN had carried forward the resistance against Indian aggression; NSCN was founded on the Naga national decision based on the universal human rights principle of the right to self- determination.

NSCN is a resistance movement.

It is absolutely wrong to allege that Nagas was waging war against the Indian state as we still advocate political approach towards resolving the conflict with India and that is also the voice and conscience of the Naga people.

NIA cannot distort that history and undo the well meant political stand taken by various political leaders of India on the one hand and the NSCN on the other who have been tirelessly working to bring about an honorable solution to the Indo- Naga political issue.

Based on mutual respect and recognition of the rights and deep commitment a cease fire agreement was reached between GOI headed by Narasimha Rao, the then PM of India and NSCN represented by its collective leadership Messrs Isak Chishi Swu and Th.Muiva in Paris, French in 12 June, 1995 on the mutually agreed three terms- talks at the Prime Ministerial level, talks without condition and in outside India (which means third countries).

The GOI had acted to show its seriousness and commitment in the talks by lifting all warrant of arrest issued against members of NSCN to pave the way for their free movement during peace process.

In this regard it is pertinent to state that as per the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by NSCN Chief Negotiator General Secretary Th.Muivah and Representative of the Government if India K.Padmanabhaiah on 18th November 2002, Millan, Italy the ban on NSCN under the India Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was lifted.

Therefore, it is esthetically, legally and politically wrong for the NIA to level baseless allegations against NSCN as 'terrorist' organization.

Be it informed that NSCN is a member of UNPO (Unrepresented Nations and People's Organization) a parallel organization to UNO.

It is stated that the UNPO Covenant specifically disqualifies anyone who uses terrorism as an instrument of policy from its membership.

NSCN is also signatory of the Geneva Call "Deed of Commitment" where in NSCN gave the commitment to non use of uncontrolled anti- personnel mines.

It is also an associate member of London- based PNSD (Parliamentarians for National Self Determination).

The collective leadership of the NSCN has also attended UN meeting on human rights a number of times.

It would be a great blunder if the GOI allows its Agencies including NIA to ruin whatever has been accomplished so far between the two entities in this past 15 years of peaceful political negotiation.

We caution the GOI that the world's attention may be drawn towards its insincerity and the unchecked activities it is giving to her Agencies like the NIA in the name of countering the so called "Terrorist".

Our sincere counsel to the GOI is that such strategy on its part will eventually be self-defeating and a futile attempt to fool the international communities.