Dimapur, September 06: The NSCN-IM has set record straight with regard to the Jalukie-Zangdi village arson episode of August 28 amidst condemnations against the incident from different quarters.

The NSCN-IM explained that the Manglumukh-Jalukie Zangdi episode has cast a dark shadow in the otherwise peaceful atmosphere that surrounds these picturesque villages.

�Nevertheless, the spark of small misunderstanding should not give way to spoil the time-honoured peaceful co-existence.

Despite the involvement of emotionally-charged reactions and counter-reactions leading the issue to be blown out of proportion, sanity should prevail to pave the way for humane approach to the issue,� stated the NSCN-IM in a statement.

�It is, however regretted that making a damning criticism of NSCN in the heat of the emotion without first waiting for the actual picture has really put the NSCN authority in turmoil lest the world look at NSCN as the culprit,� rued the NSCN-IM.

The NSCN-IM recalled that the history of Manglumukh dated back to the period of 1901 to 1913 which goes to testify that the Kacharis are no new comers in the area.

It will be quite unbecoming if one were to feign ignorance to the history of early settlers in Manglumukh.

Historical reality of the Kacharis and Zeliangrong people will have to be given deeper treatment to establish sense of belonging to the native land.

It is however to be taken into consideration that as per the records the Manglumukh village GB Domush admitted in 1977 that irrespective of Kacharis and Kukis they live in the land belonging to the Jalukei people.

Customary law will be taken into priority for that has been the Naga�s guiding basis of any dispute including land dispute.

Necessary customary references will naturally come into account, stated the NSCN-IM.

�Surprisingly, some of our own Naga people tangled with words by passing unwarranted statement on the issue complicating the matter further.

The irony is that the issue has been given unfair treatment at the hands of various civil societies who shot off unpalatable remarks to the press against the NSCN.

The legal dimension of the issue �encroachment� was not properly highlighted in the manner it should have been by going through proper process of investigation.

And thereby the factual picture of the issue was left without exposing its true colour,� stated the NSCN.

The outfit also said that in any dispute that involves land the question of �eviction� often comes up.

But this is only the legal compulsion that cannot be avoided in delivering justice, said the statement, adding,� the NSCN interpretation of �eviction� should therefore not be given negative connotation.

To evict the persons involved in the encroachment is in conformity with the customary laws and legal norms.

But what has come as the painful experience for the NSCN is that some civil societies, including Church organizations have taken sheer pleasure in condemning NSCN magnifying the issue to smear NSCN and mislead the thinking of the people on the motive of NSCN.

But such unwarranted and exaggerated outburst to hoodwink the emotion of the people with vested interest is detrimental to the greater interest of the Naga nation leaving enough room for others with devilish mind-set to generate destructive game plan�.

The NSCN-IM then expressed its unhappiness saying that in the given situation rumour mongers on the basis of unverified statement emanating from some irresponsible persons have taken the upper hand disturbing the perspective side of the issue, and there-by, provoking incendiary remarks from civil society who matters.

�This is the crux of the issue and nothing to do with NSCN taking recourse to judicial nuisance at the behest of any person in the NSCN authority,� said the statement.

Regrettably, the universal norms of putting up representation to the concern authority if it is of the opinion, legally and historically, that something has gone wrong in the handling of the Manglumukh and Jalukie Zangdi dispute, has not been followed by the concern parties, the NSCN-IM said.

�It is best to be in line with the legal standard rather than exploiting the judicial scope and going for other means and sensationalizing the issue through the media is against the national interest of the Nagas.

But to seek justice nothing is too late in the hands of the NSCN legal authority.

Consultation and deliberation on the issue should have been initiated by representatives of the concerned communities in the NSCN set-up and not allowed themselves to be carried away in the maddening crowd of emotional turmoil.

And allow the case to proceed after sending representations for proper review of the case.

This could have also helped the NSCN legal body to establish ethical standard with pure judicial sense,� suggested NSCN.

The statement then said that it was all the more unfortunate that the Jalukie Zangdi�Manglumukh episode has been �personalized to the level that has the potential to damage the functioning of NSCN.

The issue of Jalukie Jangdi and Manglumukh is in NSCN hands and not in anybody�s hands.

And therefore, the situation does not warrant making any persons in GPRN authority as the scapegoats�.

The issue involved having come to such pass, there is room for consultation and the door of �NSCN Collective Leadership is always open.

In the process, the sanctity of the NSCN judicial authority has to be maintained to the standard where justice is not denied to anyone.

It is however, to be cautioned that meddling in GPRN affairs and going public will be considered uncalled for.

Holistic approach to the issue be entrusted to the NSCN.

But due process needs to be followed�, said the NSCN-IM statement, adding, �NSCN shall live up to its commitment to stand by protecting peoples� justice taking into consideration all established legal and historical norms.

The NSCN cannot escape from the legal compulsion of executing its order that comes within its legal parameter�.

Finally, the NSCN-IM lengthy statement alerted that �Nagas must face the world from the realistic point of view.

We don�t live in isolation in this age of globalization.

While historical facts and other legal and customary aspect cannot be set aside, conciliatory approach should be the guiding principle.

In this critical juncture of Indo-Naga peace process this should be the over-riding spirit�.

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