CF with Myanmar highlighted Naga issue, says Niki Sumi DIMAPUR, AUG 21 (NPN) : Published on 22 Aug. 2013 12:45 AM IST Responding to “frustrated rhetoric targeting S.S. Khaplang and NSCN” for “ the historic signing of cease fire” between NSCN (K) and the Myanmarese government in 2012, NSCN (K) military supervisor ‘lt. gen.’ Niki Sumi has said cease fire “scripted a new chapter in the history of Naga political sojourn”. In his statement, Niki recalled the genesis of the Naga movement and the crucial role played by S.S Khaplang and Nagas in Myanmar and formation of NSCN after signing of the Shillong Accord in 1975 by NNC/FGN. Niki further asserted that the cease-fire (with Myanmar) has brought to the fore, international significance of Naga issue and its crucial implication to regional peace and stability in South East Asia. He said even as the South Asian countries looked east with enthusiasm, it was an undeniable fact, that Nagas (in Myanamar) were in a land that was in a “strategic geo-political location” which made it inevitable for connectivity. Niki also said the location had much significance and relevance to “Indo-Naga-Myanmar political situation” in which the NSCN (K) under Khaplang “practically holds sway over the entire stretch of unexplored virgin land-locked mineral rich area”. Niki further asserted that the writ of the Myanmarese government over Naga areas was “only symbolic in nature” but that the NSCN (K) maintained “deep rooted de-facto rule for decades altogether”. Niki maintained that the need for both India and Myanmar to engage the NSCN (K) was “not a mere hypothesis” but based on “factual political assessment” lest the issue exploded into “international controversy.” He said though Nagas in India may presently dub the geo-economic potential of Eastern Nagaland (Myanmar occupied Nagaland) as a “utopian concept” yet a day would come when they(Nagas in India) would flock to Eastern Nagaland “to grab a share of its natural resources” when political stability and political solution was achieved. Niki slammed “visionless and materialistic Nagas” who currently continue to “decry S.S Khaplang’s pan-Naga political approach” to justify their “eager preparedness to give up Naga birthright for a pittance from India” but added “time and history shall be witness”. He reaffirmed the determination of the NSCN (K) to continue with the struggle “no matter how illusive or distant the destination may appear” and no matter whether solution “comes in our time or never” and that the legacy “passed on to us, shall be handed over to the posterity without blemish and betrayal”. Niki asserted that the stand of the NSCN (K) on the Naga struggle “should not be a cause for apprehension to any Naga political group engaged in the political process with India.” Maintaining that the NSCN (K) would not be deterred nor give up the Naga cause, Niki however said it would not stand in the way of any settlement between India and other Naga political groups.
Posted on: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 09:14:07 +0000