Thuingaleng Muivah (L), protestors (R) (File photos)
NEW DELHI: NSCN(IM) on Wednesday said that a Naga national flag and constitution was non-negotiable, and any agreement signed by the central government with Naga groups other than it will not be recognised.Speaking in Manipur’s Ukhrul district and reading out a message from Thuingaleng Muivah, the general secretary of the separatist outfit, who was visiting his birthplace after 50 years but was too frail to speak, veteran leader VS Atem recalled the 1997 Indo-Naga ceasefire and the key milestones achieved since then.Headded that ongoing Indo-Naga dialogue follows three principles: discussions must be unconditional, held at the highest level, and conducted in a third country.After over 70 rounds of talks, the Centre signed the Framework Agreement with NSCN-IM in 2015. However, NSCN-IM’s demand for a separate Naga flag and constitution has not been accepted, prolonging negotiations.In 2017, the Centre also began talks with the WC NNPGs, a coalition of seven Naga groups, and signed the Agreed Position. While the WC NNPGs have shown willingness to compromise, NSCN-IM insists it will not accept any solution without a separate flag and constitution. Muivah reached his birthplace Somdal village in Ukhrul district soon after the programme. He is scheduled to stay there for a week before returning to Dimapur via Senapati district on 29 October.He also thanked the governments of India, Nagaland, and Manipur for facilitating his visit to his birthplace, Somdal village.Muivah, who spent 40 years leading an armed struggle for Naga independence in the jungles and living abroad in countries like Thailand and the Netherlands, has been part of peace talks with the Centre since the ceasefire agreement on 1 August 1997.
