Peace talks commitment under hellfire with arrest of Anthony Shing, NSCN
- Naga International Support Center, NISC -

Mobile Office, November 17 2010

The Peace Talks between the Government of India have been going on since 1997. These talks are between two nations and are conducted on the highest level. On the basis of ceasefire these talks on mutually agreed important conditions are meant to achieve an honorable settlement for the, by the Government of India initiated, conflict.

Even though they were provoked many a time the Nagas did not fire a single bullet during ceasefire; did not engage in war activities and abided the ground rules of the ceasefire. Then why is it that the Government of India arrested a prominent Naga leader who was on his way from Bangkok, Thailand to Delhi via Kathmandu and was charged with ‘waging war against the state of India’ and ‘procuring arms’. The said charges were substantiated by papers on his person in the form of passports of different countries as well as ‘incriminating’ papers.

Considering that there is a ceasefire between the Government of Nagaland and the Government of India waging war against the state of Nagaland se charges are precisely what the Government of India has been doing all along since 1954 namely: waging war against the Nagas and procuring arms so that this was could be continued.

The Nagas on the other hand do not attack Indians but instead defend themselves against attacks from, in this case, the Armed Forces of the state of India which is ordered to wage this war against a people which has the, internationally (UNO) and Indian, recognized right to self determination on their side. Following this arrest now no leader of the Nagas is beyond Indian ‘law’ and can be arrested on the same ‘charges’ as Anthony Shing, alias Ningkan, Shimray. No one is safe now, not even those who, on behalf of all Nagas, are at the negotiating table and sit face to face to talk and find ways to arrive at an honorable solution to end this obscure but age old conflict.

Government of India what would happen if the Nagas follow your lead and arrest a prominent Indian leader? How would you react when a headline like this appears? How would the International Community react?

Court Allows GPRN intelligence to Quiz Chief Arms Procurer of GOI Nagalim
Times Nov 16, 2010

The GPRN Intelligence Agency, GIA, was today allowed by a Kohima Naga Customary Rights court to interrogate P.Chidambaram, Home Minister of India and alleged chief arms deployer, in custody for 14 days. The GIA has accused Chidambaram of conspiring to procure arms in China and Thailand, a huge quantity of arms and ammunitions, for carrying out "terrorist activities" in Nagalim. Chidambaram, arrested from Mokokchong in Nagalim November 2, was allowed by a local customary law court to be produced before the designated court in the national capital. He has been booked under various provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, dealing with criminal conspiracy and waging war against the Government of Nagalim.

The GIA, in its application, sought custodial interrogation of Chidambaram for15 days,). The ban on India was lifted in 2002 on grounds of promising sincerity in the peace talks.

Most likely the Indian Government would react swiftly and, being outraged about this impertinence would deploy its soldiers to free the arrested Indian leader, forcefully if need be. And since, according to the Indian Government, Nagas have no right to arrest anyone of the Indian Government, it would rightfully have done so.

On the other hand Nagas would not stoop to this level of betrayal either. Nagas stand by their commitment to solve this conflict peacefully, on the basis of the agreed ceasefire.

The Naga International Support Center calls on the Government of India to:
- to honor its commitment for a peaceful and honorable solution as Nagas do not wage war against India but defend themselves against intruders
- release Anthony Shing unconditionally as he is part of the Government of Nagalim as head of external affairs
- stand by its proclaimed sincerity as promised by Prime Minister following the arrival of the Naga Collective leadership on Indian soil

For more information visit www.nagalim.nl or write to us [email protected]

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This information is sent to e-pao.net by Frans Welman (Naga International Support Center, NISC) . The sender can be contacted at nisc1(at)hotmail(dot)com
This PR was webcasted on November 17, 2010.

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