On September 25, a rally was held in New Delhi demanding an “honourable” solution to the longstanding Naga issue. Over a thousand-strong crowd comprising students, Naga elders and Church leaders were seen raising slogans, demanding that the Framework Agreement signed between the NSCN (Isak-Muivah) and the Narendra Modi government be respected.
The agreement, the terms of which has since been kept secret, was signed in August 2015. Prime Minister Modi had termed it “historic”. The Wire spoke to Elu Ndang, general secretary, Naga HOHO (the apex body of Nagas) and Neingulo Krome, secretary general, Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights to learn more about the protest. They said that the Centre had accepted the “unique history” of the Nagas as per the agreement. However, with the reading down of Article 370 for Jammu and Kashmir, the Nagas’ long-held hope for a separate flag and a Constitution has come under a cloud. In the rally, hundreds swayed the flag of the NSCN (I-M), demanding that it be recognised.
Recently, the interlocutor-turned-Nagaland Governor R.N. Ravi told reporters that PM Modi wanted the Naga Accord to be signed by this October.