The NSCN(IM) and government of India would work out an ‘honourable political settlement’ for the Naga issue in the shortest possible time, NSCN(IM) general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah said on Sunday.
Muivah also appreciated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for going the extra mile to seek a solution ‘outside the box’, but not before slamming Jawaharlal Nehru for taking a stand of ‘crushing the Nagas within a week’.
He was delivering a speech at the 65th ‘Naga Independence Day’ at Hebron, the general headquarters of the NSCN(IM). It was on August 14, 1947 that the Naga National Council, headed by AZ Phizo, had declared the Naga Hills as independent.
Muivah recalled how the Naga political issue had been treated by India beginning from Mahatma Gandhi. “The political right of the Nagas was fully acknowledged by Gandhi. Things however changed during Nehru, who crushed the Nagas by force,” the NSCN(IM) leader said.
Of the understanding with the Centre, Muviah said, “We appreciate the earnest efforts of the Government, and the Nagas believe that the leadership of the GoI too understands the steps taken by the Nagas.”
On the GoI’s recognition of the Naga’s unique history in 2002, Muviah said, “The Nagas also highly appreciate Manmohan Singh, who stated he would go the extra-mile and seek a solution outside the box. We consider his statement a genuine commitment towards settlement.”
No comments:
Post a Comment