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08/11/2005: "Can the decade of good intentions to achieve a peaceful solution of the Indo-Naga conflict by the Government of India be taken seriously?"

A Naga International Support Center, NISC
www.nagalim.nl
A human rights organization
Press Release

Amsterdam, Thursday August 11 2005

Can the decade of good intentions to achieve a peaceful solution of the Indo-Naga conflict by the Government of India be taken seriously?

The Naga International Support Center, NISC, praises the Government of India for its intentions to achieve a peaceful solution to the more than 50-year-old Indo-Naga conflict. All its successive Prime Ministers have conveyed this message repeatedly since 1995 when they realized that a military solution was not possible.

Ten years have passed since 1995. The eight years of cease-fire and peace talks have made minimal headway:

• The divided Naga areas remain fully occupied.
• Thousands of Indian soldiers keep the Nagas captive in their own land.
• Through the Armed Special Powers Act of 1957 and other restrictive acts, the Indian military is not held accountable for their actions against civilian Naga people.
• The Naga people are restricted in their movements, decision making, facing a life without prospect.
• The Government of India under the Home Ministry deploys the Assam Rifle to both maintain the siege and to conduct psychological warfare.

Consequently, the Naga people are bereft of their basic human rights, which are to be secured rather than flaunted in a genuine democratic nation. Because they lack the confidence to determine their future, the younger generations are being disoriented and as a result flee into drugs and alcohol. Corruption is rampant. The Government of India has not stopped the policy of divide and rule, but has intensified that campaign by showering those with vested interests in the status quo with money and other incentives, even while the peace talks are on. Some recipients of these enticements to adhere to the will of the Government of India live in luxury. Others are funded to strike among and against each other.

On paper, the peace talks between the Government of India and the Nagas are conducted as negotiation between equal partners and two nations. The reality is that the powerful military machine of India has the Naga peoples by the throat. Moreover, for the mouse, Nagaland, there is no escape from the giant, the elephant, the Government of India.

The Government of India categorically states that it desires a peaceful and honorable solution to the age-old conflict with the Naga peoples. This statement is praiseworthy; however, NISC seriously questions the sincerity of this desire, for the Government of India makes no genuine move to advance. Unless the Government of India, representing all Indians, has a public policy to achieve peace, there is no plan for such peace.

The media reported in 1995 that military generals advised the Government of India “the war can only be won with the annihilation of the Nagas.” This attitude led to the cease-fire and eventually to the opening of peace talks. The honorable solution sought by both the Nagas and the Government of India is in direct contrast to this unwritten plan of genocide and annihilation proposed by the military in 1995. To show it is serious, humane, sincere and determined, The Naga International Support Center calls on the Government of India to withdraw its troops from all Naga areas, to stop funding divergent forces and to promote peace in the region by entering into an agreement that guarantees the Nagas the right to self determination.

For more information visit our website www.nagalim.nl or email us nisc@nagalim.nl