There is neither Eastern Nagalim nor Western Nagalim; there is only Nagalim: NSCN-IM

Guwahati: National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) has stated that there is neither Eastern Nagalim nor Western Nagalim; there is only Nagalim.

In a statement the on ceasefire militant outfit stated, “The Naga national struggle is for the sovereignty of Nagalim. This is our righteous cause. For more than seven decades, the Naga people have been fighting to liberate Nagalim from the occupation forces and to restore Nagalim's sovereignty in order to establish Nagalim for Christ.It is through the unwavering support, cooperation, and prayers of the Naga people that the NSCN/GPRN continues to defend and strengthen the Naga national principles.”

It added, “We uphold the destined reality that Nagas are one people and that we belong to one another, wherever we may be. Thus, there is neither Eastern Nagalim nor Western Nagalim; there is only Nagalim. It was adversarial forces that invaded Nagalim and arbitrarily partitioned the ancestral Naga territories between themselves in 1953 under their respective unions-India and Myanmar. It is our resolute commitment that the Nagas must unite for our common cause against inimical forces, to free Nagalim from political and military bondage. Thus, peace and reconciliation among the Nagas are essential for our glorious future. We shall continuously pursue this mission among our brethren. Any forces among the Nagas that oppose unity, reconciliation, and a political solution based on historical and political rights are nothing but the mouthpiece and creation of our common enemy. Such noises will wither away, and their true nature will be revealed in the course of time".


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The outfit added, “We must realize that we are also the product of our history, yet we are not its prisoners. Our actions matter, and the correct action at the right time can change the course of our history. Our national destiny cannot be defined by our past mistakes. However, we must learn from our past mistakes and march towards our glorious tomorrow as one people. The NSCN/GPRN shall always seek peace, but not through capitulation-peace in freedom. Therefore, we make this clarion call to all Naga people and comrades in arms, irrespective of imaginary boundaries, to come together as one family, one people, and one nation”.

In July this year there were claims that the outfit had suffered a split. The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) Eastern Flank has declared the formation of a provisional government until a full-fledged government is formed.

The Myanmar-based "Eastern Flank" armed wing of the NSCN-IM has broken away from the Camp Hebron leadership, declaring the formation of a provisional government. Hebron is headquartered of NSCN-IM based in Nagaland.

Government of India and NSCN-IM inked Framework Agreement, signed in 2015. The Centre and NSCN-IM are holding peace parleys. There is a stalemate between the government of India and NSCN-IM over the contentious issue of a separate flag and constitution. NSCN-IM has been demanding a separate flag and Constitution which the government of India had rejected.

Greater Nagalim has been one of NSCN-IM’s core demands. Greater Nagalim stipulates the integration of Naga inhabited areas of Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar.