Government of India not Disclosing Contents on Naga Framework Agreement

Naga Framework Agreement

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Aug 9: “There are all kinds of suspicion over the non-disclosure of the contents of the recently signed ‘Framework Agreement’. Even our neighboring States are equally anxious over it. I must be honest, it is not the Nagas. It is the Government of India who has not been disclosing the contents of the Agreement,” said the Secretary General of the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) Neingulo Krome. Krome said this as the chief guest while addressing the gathering at the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples at Pragjyoti ITA Cultural Complex in Guwahati on Thursday organized by the Indigenous Forum, Assam (IFA) in association with North East Indigenous People’s Forum (NEIPF) and World Barua Organisation (WBO).

Expressing concern over the uncertainty of the ‘Framework Agreement’, Krome said, “We firmly believe, either good or bad, something is bound to happen sooner or later. Nevertheless, over the unprecedented delay, frustration is growing among the people in the Naga society. Even the younger generation is becoming restless. Divisions are also emerging among the Nagas. The Government of India is trying to prolong the negotiation. They are waiting for the veteran Naga political leaders to die one by one,” Krome observed.

Stating that the Nagas are very much a part of North East as well as Myanmar, Krome said: “The Nagas have had to fight everywhere for their survival for more than 70 years. Eventually, our indigenous brethren surrounding Nagaland were sometimes inadvertently hurt. The greater Naga society apologizes for it. If the Nagas achieve something, we would certainly look into the interests of our neighbours.”

The human rights activists further said that after the 21-year long political negotiation, the Government of India, of late, has realized and recognized the uniqueness of the Nagas which led to the signing of the ‘Framework Agreement’. He stressed that the ceasefire has brought back some sort of peace among the Nagas.

Scrutinizing the present political scenario of North East, Krome further said that “armed revolutions and respective political demands raised from different corners of North East by various indigenous people have widened the rift among them.”

Dwelling on this year’s theme, ‘Indigenous Peoples’ Migration and Movement’, Krome said that the people of North East are not much aware of the issues related to the indigenous people. Problem of illegal immigration prevails not only in northeast India, it has been, indeed a worldwide phenomenon.

Moreover, the problem of illegal migrants is assuming alarming proportions across the world. “The Assam movement started resisting the illegal migrants. Even after the lapse of 33 long years, the Government of India is yet to implement the Assam Accord after signing it way back in 1985,” he pointed out.

He further said that “things are changing in a way. The changes can be better if the indigenous become more expressive to secure their rights. If we can fight for our rights together, the world will become more meaningful for the indigenous people. Expressing concern over the changing landscape of Tripura Krome said, “The situation in Tripura is quite pathetic and horrible.”

Appealing to stand unitedly, Krome said, “We must protect our lands from the multinational companies. The indigenous peoples across the world are fighting to protect their lands from the multinational companies. In fact, this fight against the multinational companies has resulted in political confrontation in many parts of the world.”