'100 pc demands of Nagas won't be met in peace accord'

Naga rebel leader Thuingaleng Muivah, who signed the pact with the Indian government, says the framework agreement will lead to a new relationship  

Asking the Nagas to "understand and appreciate" the difficulties of the Centre "if a solution has to be reached", the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-IM has exuded confidence that the framework agreement will lead to an enduring, inclusive and a new relationship.

Recognising the Government of India's difficulties in accepting all the demands of Naga people, NSCN-IM General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah said Nagas have to understand and appreciate the difficulties of the Centre if a solution is to be reached. He cautioned Nagas not to expect hundred per cent of the demands.

"Let us understand together that now it is a matter of negotiation, the Indians have realised and from our side also we have appreciated their difficulties. Since it is a matter of negotiation, Nagas cannot expect 100 out of 100, cent per cent is not possible. The Indian government also cannot do that because it is give and take policy or principle," he said.

"The wishes of the people for sharing the sovereign power must be there (in the framework) and we both agreed. We have come up to that," Muivah said.

Therefore to what extent the Government of India will take positive steps towards the meeting point, it will be from our side also, he assured.

Saying that the Government of India and NSCN-IM have agreed on 'sharing sovereign powers' on the basis of mutual co-existence, Muivah told a civic reception in Kohima at Dimapur airport that both sides will have to respect each other.

Exuding confidence of working out an early final solution based on the framework agreement, the NSCN-IM chief political negotiator was confident that the framework will lead to an enduring, inclusive and a new relationship -- relationship of peaceful co-existence of two entities, Nagas and Indians.

On the basis of the recognition officially made from the Indian side and basing on those points, a solution has to be worked out, he said.

On the 18 years of talks before the framework agreement was signed on August 3, Muivah said, "We cannot afford to make any mistake in political talks because if we do, it will bring our destruction."

While admitting that Nagas have "a lot of problems" with their neighbours, Muivah said Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have sought peace though mutual understanding. He assured that the Nagas are ready to approach the neighbours, not through confrontation but through understanding because that is the only way for solution and at the same time, he also wanted the neighbours to understand the Naga people's point of view.

"Let us understand each other because we'll be neighbours forever. Let us have the best relationship," he appealed to the assembled Nagas.

Expressing regret that Nagas are "creating problems within themselves leading to self destruction," Muivah said it is time for Nagas to understand each other and work out what is the best for the Nagas.

"Time has come for Nagas to understand each other, if we cannot understand each other let us not blame others, let us not blame the Indians, we have to blame ourselves. That is why we have to come here to explain the matter to you," he said.

Muivah also called upon all the Nagas to admit the mistake of each other and forgive each other. "Let us try to understand each other. How many groups are there, how many factions are there? No matter, the past is past! Now, the best time is today. How we can understand each other, forgive each other and work out what is the best for the Nagas is now," he said, adding that unless we admit and forgive each other's mistakes, problems will always be there.

He also appealed to all Naga political groups, tribes and Nagas in general to understand each other and prove ourselves. "Let us not fail, or miss the best opportunity in front of us," Muivah said.

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