Memorandum submitted to L.K. Advani, Home Minister of India by the Naga Delegation of Manipur in the wake of opposition by the Meiteis in Imphal valley to the extension of ceasefire in all the Naga areas including Manipur and the decision of the GOI to review the ceasefire agreement

Respected Sir,

The Naga Hoho (Naga Council) and the representatives of different Naga tribes in the State of Manipur who participated in the Naga People’s Convention held on 28 June 2001 at the United Naga Council’s headquarters, Senapati have honoured us to convey the Naga People’s warmest greetings and to communicate with you the concerns that have emerged from the extension of Indo-Naga ceasefire beyond the present Nagaland State.

We the Naga people once again applaud the political will of the Government of India (GOI) to extend the Indo-Naga ceasefire for another year beginning 1 August 2001 without territorial limits and to begin with political dialogue on substantive issues.

The Naga organizations have been contributing our humble service by observing and intervening occasionally with great restraint the belligerent opposition of the Meitei community in the Imphal valley to the extension of the Indo-Naga ceasefire without territorial limits. The Naga People’s Convention with due commitment for peace, has "appealed to the neighbouring communities to help resolve the Indo-Naga conflict through understanding the loss and suffering entailed from both sides for the past more than 50 years."

The Naga People’s Convention "appeal the GOI to extend its peace overtures to other communities in the region, and also urge the kindred brethren in the region to carefully assess the situation and grasp the chance for peace and justice."

We are also seriously concerned about the pace of the peace process. More than three precious years have gone but without achieving much tangible result. Therefore, we earnestly urge the Government of India to promote prompt action and programmes that will expedite the peace dialogue to usher in peace in the region and in the Indian State.

However, we view with concern the reports of the National papers dated 9^th July 2001 the decision of the Government of India (GOI) to "review the ceasefire agreement, including the words ‘without territorial limits’" which was bilaterally agreed upon between the GOI and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) after much effort on 14 June 2001 at Bangkok.

Should the GOI decide unilaterally to backtrack on her commitments by succumbing to the policy of appeasement. We fear unwanted consequences might follow and apprehend the following.

1. That, the GOI will be held responsible for escalating militarisation in Naga areas and elsewhere leading to another cycle of bloody violence that was experienced by the Nagas in the past more than 50 years.

2. That, the GOI will be held responsible for another 50 years of military confrontation with the Nagas.

3. That, the GOI’s policy of appeasement by deciding to review the ceasefire agreement, including the words ‘without territorial limits’ will be at the cost of the hard earned peace process.

Fraternally, the Naga people.

Yours faithfully

(K.S. Paul Leo)
President, United Naga Council, Manipur

(Ms Valley Rose Hungyo)
Advisor, Naga Women’s Union, Manipur

(S. Kho John)
President, All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur

(Apam Muivah)
Member, Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (Manipur Sector)

C.C:

1. Shri George Fernandes, Convenor, National Democratic Alliance.
2. Smt. Sonia Gandhi, President, AICC, Leader of the Opposition, Lok Sabha.
3. Shri Jana Krishnamurthi, President, BJP.
4. The General Secretary, Communist Party of India.
5. His Excellency, Governor of Manipur/Nagaland/Assam/Arunachal Pradesh.
6. Chief Secretary, Manipur/Nagaland/Assam/Arunachal Pradesh.

Sd/-
(K.S. Paul Leo)
President, United Naga Council, Manipur