Organisations observe Framework Agreement anniversary in Manipur

NNN | IMPHAL, August 3: Various organizations in the state of Manipur observed the Framework Agreement anniversary on Monday under the common title, “The 5th Observance of the 3rd August, 2015 Framework Agreement between the Government of India and the NSCN”.

In Tamenglong district headquarters, the programme was held at Zeme Naga Council Conference Hall. The event was organized by The Joint Tribes Council of Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei and Zeme by strictly maintaining the COVID-19 guidelines, according to a press statement of The Joint Tribes Council. It then said that the participants observed a two-minute silence to pay their respects to those people who had sacrificed their lives for the Naga cause.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Aku Newme stressed the need to have the spirit of “one family” by discarding factionalism and tribalism. He also stressed the need to respect all those people who are working for the Naga cause. Meanwhile, according to Dr Aku Newme, the Joint Tribes Council of Inpui, Liangmai, Rongmei and Zeme reaffirmed their support to the NSCN-IM. The programme then prayed for the early solution of the Naga political issue.

Also observing the event, the Khurmi Naga Peoples’ Organization (KNPO) along with the Naga frontal organizations of Khurmi (NSUC, NWUC, NCAC, CDCF) and the federating tribe units “sincerely” appealed the Government of India to translate its “commitment for the Indo-Naga permanent political solution”.

In a joint press statement issued by the above mentioned organizations, they said that “after five years of witnessing the high profile political programme held in New Delh in the presence of the Prime Minister of India and other important dignitaries of the two entities, we reiterate our support for a lasting negotiated political settlement based on the Framework Agreement (2015) through the principles of the ‘shared sovereignty’ and peaceful co- existence as two entities”.

The joint press statement then said, “In our journey to uphold peace across the South Asian sub-continent, Nagas have come forward to appreciate the Government of India for the historic steps embarked thus far”. It then added, “However, the dual role of RN Ravi as interlocutor to misinterpret the Framework Agreement and as the Governor to manipulate and the lackadaisical attitude of the Government of India have hurt the Nagas”.

It then stated that RN Ravi must not take the Indo-Naga peace process for granted.

The joint statement then said that the “Naga frontal organizations of Khurmi” stand for early political settlement as envisaged in the Framework Agreement. They then urged to expedite the implementation of the “era of a new relationship between the two entities”.