Eastern Mirroron October 17 National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) stated that Nagas have now been “driven to the point where we have to decide which way to go —either we allow ourselves to be exploited because of our insanity or we decide ourselves by taking the right decision at the right time.” NSCN-IM also added that “it was because of “our martyrs of hundreds of thousands” that Naga people have come this far to negotiate with the Government of India “to present our historical and political rights in the manner that ultimately won the recognition of our unique history and situation to put us in the winning position.”
Meanwhile, NSCN-IM on October 17 also alleged that Government of India (GoI) was trying to divide Nagas with monetary baits by promising economic packages, reports Times of India. NSCN-IM in a statement said “The Government of India and her agencies on the other hand are at work sleeplessly to exploit our vulnerabilities to pull away many Naga individuals or groups with monetary baits and other highly rated economic packages. These are short term gains that do not merit the blood of our martyrs.”
Additionally, on October 17 Naga National Political Groups (NNPG) stated that Nagaland cannot accommodate Nagas from other States without integration of the Naga-inhabited areas, reports Assam Tribune. The committee pointed out that the Nagas had killed each other in the name of freedom and faced much hardships, including unlimited taxation and extortion. With the deadlock continuing between the Centre and the NSCN-IM over the latter’s insistence on a separate Naga flag and constitution, the committee suggested that the two issues can be pursued post solution. It said these two issues were raised only in the 21st year of negotiations, while the Centre is firm that these are issues which Nagas can pursue post solution.