The NSCN (IM) has said that it won’t accept Naga national flag as a cultural flag as hinted by the government of India, adding that it symbolises Naga political identity and therefore not negotiable.
The group said this in its news bulletin Nagalim Voice, a couple of days after Naga People’s Front Legislature Party leader Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu said that India is willing to incorporated Yehzahbo in the Indian Constitution and recognise use of Naga flag at cultural programmes.
The NSCN (IM) said that it is watching how Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, who took pride in the signing of Framework Agreement (FA) in 2015, will handle the same accord.
“What is of concern to the NSCN in particular and to the Nagas in general is the habitual betraying nature of the Government of India after signing agreement after agreement,” it stated, adding that the gains achieved during 25 years of talks now faces the risk of going down the drain
“The unfortunate development is tantamount to political blackmail. But NSCN is unnerved in the face of such brinkmanship,” it said.
“Naga people had seen the Naga political issue that was defiled earlier in three occasions. The NSCN cannot allow defilement to take place for the fourth time. This is the crux of the issue now,” it said, adding that the FA was signed to salvage the Naga political issue from getting defiled again.
“It would be a huge irony if Indo-Naga political issue and the ongoing talk are not regarded as a politically sacrosanct programme that should not be violated again and again.
“For the thousands of Nagas who suffered martyrdom for Naga cause how can we come to Naga Accord and celebrate in the manner that betrayed them. How could Naga people tread such hollow ground after more than six decades of blood, sweat and tear. In spite of threat and pressure, NSCN will never lend itself to committing an act of abomination before God and treason before the Naga people,” it continued.
- Eastern Mirror