Ukhrul, Manipur | EKHON: Standhope Varah, Executive Member of the Steering Committee of the NSCN/GPRN, on Sunday addressed the media on the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process and the ongoing unrest at Litan in Ukhrul district, Manipur.
Varah said that to understand the present tensions not only in Manipur but in other regions as well, it is necessary to revisit the nearly three-decade-old peace process between the Naga leadership and the Union of India.
He asserted that the Naga political issue is distinct from other separatist movements in the country. “We are not separatists or secessionists,” he said, maintaining that the Naga people have historically chosen not to merge with either India or Burma and have endured hardships for that position.
According to Varah, the Union of India had earlier acknowledged that the Indo-Naga conflict is political in nature and not merely a law-and-order problem. He described the core issue as a territorial dispute between the Naga people and the Union of India, stressing that any lasting solution must address this primary concern through meaningful political negotiation.
He further clarified that the ongoing talks are being held with the Union Government and not with individual states within India. Varah warned that “sectarian and reactive elements” have, over time, attempted to derail the peace process, resulting in unrest and even bloodshed.
Referring to the current situation in Litan, he said the unrest must be viewed in the broader context of the unresolved political issue. While reiterating the Naga side’s commitment to peaceful dialogue and coexistence, he emphasized that questions surrounding what he termed “territorial encroachment” must be sincerely addressed.
Varah emphasized that the Nagas remain committed to negotiation, seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict. He cautioned the Union Government of India, stating that if external interference persists in undermining the peace process, they will be compelled to demand clarity in their action.
Varah called upon the Union of India to remain dedicated in its commitment to resolving the issue through political dialogue and urged all parties to avoid actions that could jeopardize the fragile peace process
