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05/15/2007: "The Naga International Support Center, NISC, lauds Mr. Khaplang of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, NSCN-K for his initiative to reunite with the NSCN-IM and has a few questions for you to consider."

Press Release: Amsterdam, May 13 2007 by NISC
The Naga International Support Center, NISC, lauds Mr. Khaplang of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, NSCN-K for his initiative to reunite with the NSCN-IM and has a few questions for you to consider. (see article in the Telegraph below)
After a long silence during which others than Mr. Khaplang himself, chairman of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland, NSCN-K, has stated that he is not averse to the reunification of the NSCN, the organization which succeeded the Naga National Council, NNC, when founded in 1980 after the NNC signed the Shillong Accord with representatives of the Indian Government and began to disarm the Naga Army.

Mr. Khaplang reacted to the recent call for peace, reconciliation and unity among the NSCN factions by Chairman Swu and secretary-general Muivah, but said too that sending feelers and writing an indirect letter for unification were a mockery and he, on the principle of sovereignty Swu and Muivah must write directly to him and cite the reasons for this unification. Mr. Khaplang stated that that he wanted the NSCN-IM leadership “withdraw their charter of demands which has been submitted to New Delhi for federal relationship between the India and Nagalim”.
Although a fine gesture of reconciliation and reunification for it will prevent infighting among the Naga Forces which result in casualties among civilians too, Mr. Khaplang has stated a few conditions, NISC does not doubt Mr. Khaplangs sincerity but wonders about the extent of credible information on which Mr. Khaplang reacts. Hence NISC asks Mr. Khaplang of the NSCN-K group these questions:
1 – In its talks for peace with the Government of India has sovereignty for the Naga Nation been squandered by the NSCN-IM? Considering the Naga stand held by the leaders of the NSCN-IM this is not likely, but should Mr. Khaplang know that to be a fact then he is of course right in his assessment. On the other hand when two nations form a federation wherein their constitutions are recognized but on federal matters interwoven, have the Nagas then given up their sovereignty?
2 – Could the NSCN-K please elaborate on the word mockery concerning the quest of a united stand against a foreign power which occupies the Naga Nation? Is it not so that the NSCN-IM quite openly has stated that reconciliation among Nagas could be achieved when both factions meet to sort out the differences? Initiatives to that effect were taken and meetings were held in Bangkok and Kohima, with unofficial participation of K’s representatives or observers.
3 – Mr. Khaplang what ‘charter of demands’ are you referring to? What has been submitted to Indian Government is no ‘charter of demands’, for that would acknowledge India as the nation of which Nagaland is part. No, no demands but recognition and on the basis of separate constitutions find ways to come to a federal relationship between the India and Nagalim; two nations in close cooperation with each other.
4 – You urged Naga NGOs to realize “their mistake” of lending one-sided support to the NSCN (I-M) in their peace talks for the past 11 years, but you do not substantiate that claim of them being one-sided. Could you please disclose on what basis you came to that conclusion? The NGO’s you mentioned are closely working with NISC and you do know NISC is an international Human Rights Organization so for the right to self determination of all Nagas of any denomination. Not one sided either NISC is for your right to self determination and the right of your group too.
5 – Mr. Khaplang you said that the peace talks between the Government of India and the NSCN-IM have been in vain and will achieve nothing even in 100 years unless all the Nagas stand united. Does this statement imply you indeed like to see the Nagas reunite?
Naturally the questions NISC asked Mr. Khaplang equally apply to the NSCN-IM.
More importantly is the question: Is unity among the Nagas a prerequisite for peace on the basis of achieved sovereignty?
After all by way of big sums of money, distribution of weapons and sheer repression by occupation the foreign power is responsible for the divisions among the Nagas; the Nagas themselves for being led on by that foreign power.
In a democratic society Mr. Khaplang the people elect their representatives who form a government which rules them; checks and balances are built in against erring leaders. This is done on the basis of political parties which have programs published to attract voters for their policies. Designed to be a transparent representational system of government, this system of government does not allow infighting among its people. Those who trespass the law will be prosecuted. Mr. Khaplang in such society the people are united historically, culturally and lawfully, yet every tribe of the Naga Nation retains its own identity. Consequently, the question of infighting does not arise where sovereignty is the mutual goal. Infighting by way of the gun is no policy of any political party of any nation. Differences are discussed, not decided by wepons.
What happened within the NSCN in 1988 caused the violent separation which continues today. But history shows that unity among the people and its forces s a prerequisite for standing up in defense against a foreign power. Consequently NISC praises Mr. Khaplang and Mr. Isak Chishi for the public initiatives they took.
NISC lauds General Mohu (1988), the NSCN-IM (2002) and Isak Chishi Swu specifically (2006), now S. Khaplang too, for their efforts to reconcile. NISC calls on all to come together as one and to do away with fratricide and killing of innocent Nagas. A united Naga Nation stands stronger in their negotiations for peace; the international community cannot but support the Naga right to self determination when united. Realizing the wounds inflicted in the past do not heal with salt thrown into them time and again, NISC calls on the NSCN-IM and the NSCN-K to take this important step forward.
In your quest to end the suffering of the Naga People, through recreating the unity you once had, NISC supports you all the way and strongly suggests to the renowned Naga leaders to not restrict yourselves to public blame correspondence but to come together and fruitfully talk about differences. If need be, for security and other reasons, to do so with the guidance of impartial facilitators.