ASMSC, NSCN (I-M) urge renewed Assamese–Naga ties, call for indigenous unity
The meeting in Dimapur discussed how illegal foreigners and outsiders have harmed Assam, Nagaland & other states of the Northeast
The ASMSC and the NSCN (I-M) in a discussion over Assam-Nagaland unity (Photo: AT)
Nazira, Nov 18: The Assam Sanmilita Mahasangha Security Council (ASMSC) and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) have called for strengthening anew the historic relations between the Assamese and Naga people and coming together of the indigenous peoples of Assam and Nagaland.
The ASMSC and NSCN (I-M) made statements to this effect during talks held between them at Dimapur, Nagaland, recently.
In a joint statement, ASMSC president Matiur Rahman said that the Mahasangha held a two-hour discussion with a seven-member team of the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim (GPRN), NSCN (I-M), on several key issues concerning Assam, Nagaland, and other parts of the Northeast.
Rahman stated that the Dimapur meeting particularly discussed the plight of the indigenous peoples of Assam and Nagaland, and the relations between them.
“During the reign of the Tai Ahom kings, the Assamese people had very friendly relations with various Naga ethnic groups. But with the signing of the Treaty of Yandaboo on February 24, 1826, the British colonial rule started in Assam and, as a result, the Assamese-Naga relations gradually got hampered,” Rahman said.
He said the Tai Ahom kings of Assam never occupied and annexed any area of the Naga Hills to Assam, adding that it was only after the signing of the Treaty that the British amalgamated vast areas of Naga Hills and other parts of the Northeast with Assam.
The ASMSC leader also said that the meeting at Dimapur discussed how illegal foreigners and outsiders have harmed Assam, Nagaland and other states of the Northeast.
According to Rahman, the Dimapur meeting affirmed that February 24, 1826 should be the base year for identification of indigenous people in Assam, Nagaland, and other northeastern states.
The meeting also came to the conclusion that the cut-off year for identification of foreigners in the Northeast should be 1951.
Both the ASMSC and NSCN (I-M) agreed that the Northeastern states should forget past mistakes and come together as a strong unit.
The seven-member GPRN-NSCN (I-M) team included the outfit’s political department management committee convener Angnaikham Makunga, convener George Golmei, assistant convener Meyong Phom, and high-powered committee convener Hutovi Chishi.
ASMSC secretary general Dr Hemanta Gogoi and Assam Sanmilita Mahasangha member Mintu Chitrakar also took part in the talks at Dimapur.