ASMSC, NSCN (I-M) hold talks on key issues of Assam, Nagaland

Nazira: The Assam Sanmilita Mahasangha Security Council (ASMSC) and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), or NSCN (I-M), have called for the strengthening of historic relations between the Assamese and Naga people and for the indigenous peoples of Assam and Nagaland to come together to unitedly fight their "common enemy."

The ASMSC and NSCN (I-M) made statements to this effect during talks held in Dimapur, Nagaland, on November 14.

ASMSC president Matiur Rahman told this reporter 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), led by Deputy Prime Minister VS Atem, on several key issues concerning Assam, Nagaland, and other parts of the Northeast.

Rahman stated that the Dimapur meeting particularly focused on 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, British colonial rule began in Assam, and as a result, Assamese-Naga relations gradually deteriorated," Rahman said.

He added that the Tai Ahom kings of Assam never occupied or annexed any part of the Naga Hills, noting that it was only after the signing of the Treaty of Yandaboo that the British amalgamated vast areas of the Naga Hills and other parts of the Northeast with Assam.

Rahman explained to the NSCN (I-M) leadership that the Nagas could discuss the issue of their independence with the British based on the Treaty of Yandaboo.

The ASMSC leader also said the meeting in 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 identifying indigenous people in Assam, Nagaland, and other northeastern states. The meeting also concluded that 1951 should be the cut-off year for identifying foreigners in the Northeast.

Both the ASMSC and NSCN (I-M) agreed that the northeastern states should move beyond past mistakes and unite as a strong force.

At the meeting, VS Atem called for strengthening relations between the Nagas and Assamese.

The seven-member GPRN-NSCN (I-M) team included the insurgent 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 participated in the talks at Dimapur.