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Imphal, Oct 29 (IANS) NSCN-IM supremo Thuingaleng Muivah on Wednesday once again reiterated that the Naga national flag and Constitution are non-negotiable issues, while accusing the Center of “losing political will” to implement the 2015 Framework Agreement.
The remarks came at a grand civic felicitation given to the non-Naga leader, also known as the Ato Kilonsar (Prime Minister) of the NSCN/GPRN (Government of the People’s Republic of Nagaland), at Manipur’s Senapati district headquarters on Wednesday.
Nagas from all regions representing 21 Naga tribes from Senapati and neighboring districts attended the event.
Representatives of other non-Naga communities were also present.
Muivah, the lead negotiator in the Naga peace talks with the central government since the entry of the NSCN-IM into ceasefire in 1997, while addressing the gathering, said that the only respectable negotiated political settlement would be in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Amsterdam Joint Communique and the Framework Agreement and officially recognized Nagalim unique history, Nagalim sovereignty, Nagalim territory and the Naga National Flag and Naga National Constitution.
“The signing of the Amsterdam Joint Communique of 11 July 2002 and the Framework Agreement of 3 August 2015 between the Government of India and the NSCN is an affirmation and acknowledgment of the unique history of the Nagalim and Nagalim sovereignty,” he said.
The United Naga Council (UNC), the apex body of the Nagas in Manipur, had declared ‘Genna’, a traditional day of honor and celebration, to honor NSCN-IM chief Muivah at a civil felicitation ceremony in Senapati on Wednesday.
“Gena”, in Naga culture and customs, refers to restrictions to ensure maximum participation when a national holiday or an important day for the community is celebrated. During this time, members of the Naga community abstain from routine activities to observe customs and celebrate their collective identity. In honor of the occasion, the UNC had earlier directed that all educational institutions and shops in Naga-inhabited areas would remain closed.
Announcing the ‘Genna’, UNC President NG Lorho in a statement said that in reverence to their traditions and cultural practices, the Nagas in present-day Manipur state, declare a Genna on the occasion of historic civil reception in honor of the living legend Muivah at Tahamzam (Senapati) on October 29.
Muivah arrived in Manipur’s Naga-inhabited Ukhrul district on October 22 to visit his birthplace Somdal village for the first time in 50 years.
The NSCN-IM supremo stayed in Somdal village for eight days and came to Senapati district, where according to organisers, over 30,000 people from Naga-inhabited districts of Manipur gathered to pay their respects to the 91-year-old tribal leader.
Dressed in traditional attire and carrying NSCN-IM flags, thousands of Nagas from all sections welcomed Muivah in the Naga-dominated hill district. A large number of Naga men, carrying traditional spears and wearing traditional caps, arrived at the venue to welcome the NSCN-IM chief.
As part of the welcome ceremony, the All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) hoisted the Naga flag at its office in Senapati, symbolizing the student body’s continued commitment to the Framework Agreement and its core principles, including recognition of the Naga flag and Constitution.
In his address to the gathering, ANSAM president Angteshang Maring described Muivah as “the living embodiment of the Naga political struggle”.
The huge turnout and vibrant cultural expressions reflect the deep reverence and emotional connection the Naga people have for Muivah, who remains a key figure in the Naga political dialogue and the Framework Agreement signed with the Center in 2015.
The event not only celebrated Muivah’s return but also reaffirmed Naga unity and identity amid the ongoing discussions about the future of the Naga peace process. Influential Naga body Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) organized all the arrangements for the much-awaited visit of Muivah and his associates to Ukhrul district.
–IANS
SC/VD