It was not a skirmish. But a sabreratling. For a purpose. It served the purpose. Isak- Muivah combine is peeved at some “irresponsible utterances” from their interface with the Delhi Darbar.  “We would never lay down three things our arms, our freedom and our territories”, they declared as if it is their response to ‘all those who were deliberately talking out of bounds and about arms-surrender and the Constitution of India’.

Isak-Muivah combine’s communiqué was credited to its “collective leadership”. There should be no illusion whatsoever, it declared at the very out set and added that while the commitment of the Naga people to the negotiating process is unwavering, ‘it is regrettable to see irresponsible utterances from the representative of the Indian Government’.

It will be unfortunate if the prevailing ‘conducive atmosphere is allowed to be vitiated, the NSCN-IM communiqué observed. It asked New Delhi to clearly understand that “imposition in any manner from either side will not work”.

The NSCN-IM leadership alleged that “precisely, it is the reason why we issued a statement on the 24th January 2003 in New Delhi in the hope that the Government of India would appreciate the Nagas’ sincerity, their firmness in their commitment to the peace process and their modesty”.

“However, instead of making the most of it, the Indian Government tended to presume upon it, indiscreetly pushing towards arms-surrender,” it further said. The NSCN-IM urged the Indian Government that they should know that it was not the time anymore to hang around and talk about the Indo-Naga issue out of turn but “it is the time for bold decisions.” The outfit also reminded the Government of India’s earlier commitment that it would not talk with any group except the “NSCN” and cautioned against any failure to honor the commitment.

“We will accept only negotiated settlement,” the NSCN-IM asserted, adding, “It is our philosophy, our politics and our democracy”.
                    
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