KOHIMA: Former Nagaland chief minister Dr SC Jamir expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in resolving the Naga political issue, labelling it a mockery.
He questioned the necessity of waiting, when the framework agreement was formally signed by NSCN-IM on August 3, 2015, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then union home minister Rajnath Singh.
“On that day, they symbolically sealed the deal by shaking hands and applauding, signifying complete acceptance of the terms they had already agreed upon. So, in terms of political matters, the deal was finalized on that day,” Dr SC Jamir remarked.
“Why the delay, then?” he queried, emphasizing that neither sovereignty nor integration were part of the framework agreement between the two parties, as disclosed during the Naga reconciliation meeting on February 29, 2012.
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Dr Jamir noted that those who signed the framework agreement, particularly NSCN-IM, may feel hesitant to relinquish symbols of identity such as the flag, constitution, and sovereignty.
Additionally, he cited union home minister Amit Shah’s explicit stance during a parliamentary session in December 2023, where Shah emphasized India’s singular Prime Minister, Constitution, and flag, referring to the revocation of Article-370 in Jammu and Kashmir.
“If everything is crystal clear, why the delay now?” Dr SC Jamir questioned.
The veteran Naga politician also underscored the importance for the younger generation of Nagas in Nagaland to familiarize themselves with the history of the Naga struggle.