NSCN-IM slams Rijiju over remarks on talks

Cadres of NSCN-IM perform a drill in the outskirts of Dimapur on March 21, 2018.

Cadres of NSCN-IM perform a drill in the outskirts of Dimapur on March 21, 2018.   | Photo Credit: PTI

Minister denies making the statement.

The Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland on Monday lashed out at Union Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju for “vitiating the atmosphere of negotiations” by saying the issue of sovereignty has been dropped from the talks agenda.

Mr. Rijiju on Saturday said the Naga peace process was nearing a solution with the NSCN-IM having dropped some issues such as sovereignty of Naga-inhabited areas.

On Tuesday, Mr. Rijiju denied making such a statement. “I have not used any words except that territorial integrity of all States would be maintained,” he said.

“At no point of the negotiation have both the parties ignored important political issues, and the concocted statement of Mr. Rijiju that NSCN has dropped the stand of the Nagas on their sovereign right is a figment of his imagination,” the NSCN-IM said in a statement.

“When the dialogue is progressing at the level of the Prime Minister, Mr. Rijiju has no business to talk on political issues he is ignorant about,” the NSCN-IM said. It advised Mr. Rijiju to refrain from making irresponsible statements at this juncture.