Mar 23, 2005

Nagalim: Naga Leaders Asked for Interdependence with India


The National Socialist Council of Nagalim climbed down from its demand for total sovereignty and admitted that the Nagas could not live in isolation
The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) yesterday climbed down from its demand for total sovereignty and admitted that the Nagas could not live in isolation.

In his message on “Naga republic day” observed to mark the foundation day of the undivided NSCN, chairman of the faction Isak Chishi Swu said, “There is no sovereignty except the sovereignty of God.” The NSCN was founded on March 21, 1980.

Stressing the importance of interdependence, Swu said that though the outfit had, in the past, wanted to have nothing to do with India and Myanmar and would settle for nothing short of total sovereignty, it now believed in the principle of interdependence of people and nations.

Even countries in the European Union had begun using a single currency, he pointed out. “Nagalim cannot live in complete isolation from its neighbouring countries,” Swu said. He said the outfit has begun the peace process that would lead the Nagas to Nagalim, the promised land.

Urging the people to support the outfit in its mission, he, however, warned that though the peace process was on the right track, they should be prepared for any eventuality. He said the world was with the Nagas as the outfit had mobilised international support, evident from the fact that commissioner of National Human Rights Commission of Thailand Jaran Ditapichai was the guest of honour at the outfit’s celebration in Hebron on Monday.

Several Japanese nationals also reportedly attended the celebrations.

Meanwhile, the Naga National Council (Adino) is carrying on its tirade against the NSCN (I-M).

In a message issued by NNC leader Viyalie Metha today, the outfit stated that the NNC would protect the sovereignty of Nagaland. It rejected the peace process initiated by the NSCN (I-M) and accused the latter of being “pseudo Naga nationalists”.

Metha alleged that the peace process was nothing but a process of “buying and selling” between the Centre and the NSCN (I-M).

Cong walkout

The Nagaland Congress today staged a walkout in the Assembly demanding horticulture minister T.M. Lotha's resignation and an explanation of expenditure of the Rs 365-crore peace bonus the state received in 2003-4.

Congress leader I. Imkong said his party would not vote in the budget nor accept finance minister K. Therie’s reply to the budget discussion.

He said the government’s refusal to present a white paper and Lotha’s refusal to resign had forced the Congress to walk out. Earlier, the government was embarrassed when Democratic Alliance of Nagaland chairman Hokishe Sema said the consultative committee for peace, constituted by the government, should be revamped.

The chief minister had set up the committee, comprising coalition members, in 2003.

Sema said the committee should include members from across party lines and also from church and public leaders to explore possibilities. The BJP leader said the government should assist in the implementation of the ceasefire ground rules by the rebel outfits.


Source: The Telegraph