The NSCN-IM has vehemently rejected the Indian government’s use of the term “terrorist outfit” to describe their organization, calling it a misnomer that violates the spirit of the 2002 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The group criticized the ongoing use of the label as a hindrance to the peace process and accused the government of deceitful tactics that have stymied efforts toward a peaceful political solution for over two decades.
BY PC Bureau
The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) has strongly criticized the Indian government’s continued use of the term “terrorist outfit” to describe their organization. The NSCN-IM argues that this term is a “misnomer” and undermines the spirit of the Indo-Naga peace talks, calling the Indian government’s actions a violation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2002.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Information and Publicity (MIP) of NSCN/GPRN, the group nhas reportedly expressed their frustration over the label, which they claim is being used “recklessly” by the Government of India. The NSCN-IM emphasized that the continued use of this term goes against the spirit of the MoU signed on November 18, 2002, in Milan, Italy. This agreement marked a significant turning point in the Indo-Naga conflict, as it led to the discontinuation of the ban on the NSCN under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). According to the NSCN-IM, this agreement was a conscious decision by the Indian government to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The group firmly rejected the characterization of their organization as a “terrorist outfit,” stating that the label is inaccurate and unjustified. “The term ‘terrorist outfit’ is henceforth a misnomer against NSCN,” the statement declared, emphasizing that India’s continued use of the term runs counter to the agreed-upon ceasefire and the commitment to a peaceful political solution. The NSCN-IM further argued that the Indian government’s failure to respect the MoU and its decision to continue using the term damages the prospects of a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
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Deceit and Misleading Tactics: NSCN-IM’s Criticism of India’s Political Handling
The NSCN-IM went on to accuse the Government of India of engaging in “deceitful” and “misleading” tactics in its handling of the Naga political issue. According to the organization, this pattern of deceit has been a persistent issue since the Indo-Naga political dialogue began in 1997. The NSCN-IM described deceit as “purposeful falsehoods” designed to mislead both the international community and the Naga people regarding the true nature of the Naga political issue and the Naga identity.
The group’s statement argued that this deceitful approach has been a major obstacle to finding a lasting political solution to the Naga issue. “When deceit is practiced consciously, false impressions are created to mislead the world on the Naga issue, and thus get away with something bad against NSCN to keep NSCN on the wrong side of justice,” the NSCN-IM stated, further emphasizing that such actions were detrimental to the Naga people’s struggle for justice and self-determination.
The NSCN-IM also noted the irony of the situation, pointing out that despite entering into a ceasefire agreement with India in 1997 with the hope of achieving a peaceful political solution, the Indian government has continued to engage in tactics designed to undermine and discredit the NSCN. “The irony is, India failed to realize that NSCN can never be browbeaten into submission,” the statement declared. “This has been the politics in the Naga revolutionary movement for the past 70 years that has confounded the worldly wise and the politically conscious people within India itself.”
The NSCN-IM’s criticisms of the Indian government’s handling of the Naga issue extend beyond just the use of the term “terrorist outfit.” They argue that the government’s approach has been suppressive and divisive, with a focus on undermining the Naga people’s struggle for political rights and self-determination.
Alemla Jamir’s Case: A Symbol of Unjust Treatment
A particularly contentious issue raised by the NSCN-IM is the case of Alemla Jamir, a Naga woman who has been imprisoned for over four years. According to the NSCN-IM, Jamir is a “Prisoner of War” under international law, yet she has been unfairly treated and unjustly labeled as a member of the so-called “terrorist outfit.” The organization argued that Jamir’s imprisonment and the treatment she has received are not only a violation of international law but also a deliberate attempt to intimidate the Naga people into submission.
“This is a pure case bereft of sincerity and understanding from a human perspective,” the NSCN-IM’s statement asserted. The group accused the Indian government of trying to intimidate the Naga people by subjecting Jamir to unjust imprisonment and unfair treatment, arguing that such actions were part of a broader effort to suppress the Naga struggle for justice and autonomy.
The case of Alemla Jamir has become a symbol of the NSCN-IM’s broader criticisms of the Indian government’s handling of the Naga political issue. The organization claims that Jamir’s incarceration is an example of the Indian government’s consistent disregard for the rights and dignity of the Naga people, and they assert that her case highlights the need for a fair and just resolution to the Naga political struggle.
Naga Movement: Resilience Against Suppression
Despite the continued use of repressive tactics by the Indian government, the NSCN-IM remains resolute in its commitment to the Naga cause. The organization has emphasized that the Naga revolutionary movement has withstood over 70 years of oppression and suppression, and that the Indian government’s attempts to break the Naga people’s spirit have ultimately failed.
The NSCN-IM’s statement concluded with a reaffirmation of the group’s determination to resist Indian attempts to force them into submission. “This is the politics of the Naga revolutionary movement for the past 70 years,” the statement asserted, underscoring the resilience and unwavering resolve of the Naga people in their struggle for self-determination. Despite the government’s continued use of terms like “terrorist outfit” and its attempts to undermine the NSCN-IM, the organization remains firm in its commitment to finding a peaceful and just solution to the Naga issue.
Conclusion
The NSCN-IM’s rejection of the “terrorist outfit” label and its critique of the Indian government’s handling of the Naga political issue reflects the deep frustrations felt by the Naga people and their representatives. The ongoing use of the term “terrorist outfit” by the Indian government, combined with what the NSCN-IM views as a pattern of deceitful and suppressive tactics, continues to fuel tensions in the region. As the Naga struggle for political resolution enters its 70th year, the NSCN-IM remains steadfast in its commitment to achieving justice and self-determination for the Naga people, despite the challenges and setbacks they face in their long-running conflict with the Indian state.
