Kohima, January 02 (NEPS): The Naga National Council (Panger) expressed serious concern on the political development emanated from the ongoing peace process between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM).

In a statement here, the NNC (P) President, Mr I Panger Walling, said the NSCN (IM) was discussing only "Naga integration" in their talks with the Government of India instead of focusing on the Naga sovereignty issue that had been at the "heart of our political struggle for the last 57 years".

If the NSCN (IM)'s talks with the Government of India was only for integration of India-occupied Naga areas, then the organization (NSCN-IM) would be making a formidable mistake and the nation (Naga) would never forgive them, the NNC (P) Chief said.

He further cautioned that "Whoever compromises the sovereign rights of the Nagas will be condemned by the people now and also, by the future generations and the blood of the martyrs will be upon them".

"The precious lives of our martyrs were given for sovereignty (and) not for a mere integration," he said adding, "The Naga political issue is an international issue and should be dealt internationally".

Calling the Naga people to ponder over the Naga political issue seriously at this critical juncture, the NNC (P) also reminded the NSCN (IM) that its (NSCN-IM) ceasefire and subsequent talks with the Government of India over the last seven years had caused weakening not only them (NSCN-IM) but the political issue itself.

Sending a strong note to the Government of India that piece-meal settlement could never bring permanent settlement to the longstanding Naga political issue, Walling reiterated the NNC's commitment to fight till they achieved their "proper recognition and of a free and independent nation" covering the whole of Naga inhabited areas.

Asking the Government of India and the Myanmar junta to cease aggressing their territories, the NNC (P) leader explained the two countries (India and Myanmar) would never know true security and peace within their own lands until they reached a peaceful and just settlement with all the Nagas.

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