Nagas and India will remain two separate entities : Thuingaleng Muivah-IV

The readers must have read the news of this interview on October 17 and many would have seen the interview (recorded or live on October 16) of the interview. Nevertheless the full transcript of the interview which is  long, very long, is being reproduced here courtesy The Wire. The interview will be serialised and we hope the readers enjoy it and gain an insight on the subject.
On October 16, in an interview to Karan Thapar for The Wire, the general secretary of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) Thuingaleng Muivah revealed that there are still sharp differences that are separating the NSCN from the Indian government. He repeatedly and forcefully said that the Nagas will never be part of the Indian Union nor will they accept India’s constitution.
He said there could be no compromise on the NSCN’s insistence on a Naga flag and Naga Constitution. “We have stood our ground on these two non-negotiable issues and we shall continue to stand till the last man standing”, he said. Muivah added that Naga organisations like the Naga National Political Groups or several civil society organisations, who are not insisting on a separate flag and Constitution, are “traitors”.
In a 55-minute interview, the 86-year-old Muivah also sharply criticised RN Ravi, the Interlocutor and Nagaland Governor. He says Ravi has “betrayed” the NSCN. He said “he has thrown us away” and that he was acting at the behest of the Home Ministry.
The following is a transcript of the interview, edited lightly for clarity and style.
TM : You know, when you started respecting the Nagas, yes, we also started respecting your difficulties and your rights also, your history also. And that must be the way to respect each other and come closer to each other. But dictating your flag on us, and your Constitution, and this, and that on us, that is not acceptable.
KT : So, so just so there is- Just so there is clarity, I’m asking you to repeat. You will never be part of the Indian Union?
TM : Well, so long as that is imposed on the Nagas.
KT : What do you mean imposed? In what way can you accept being part of the Indian Union?
TM : Okay, remember, remember, the question is why should we become part of the Indian Union if our history is clear ?
KT : So, you’re saying you will never be part of the Union?
TM : We will never be part of India. If it is not, Indians are not respecting our rights.
KT : Okay. I think I’ve understood, I was simply getting you to repeat it, I think I’ve understood you will never be part of the Indian Union, you will never accept the Indian Constitution.
*nods*
Yes ?
Mhmm
TM : You know, when you started respecting the Nagas, yes, we also started respecting your difficulties and your rights also, your history also. And that must be the way to respect each other and come closer to each other. But dictating your flag on us, and your Constitution, and this, and that on us, that is not acceptable.
KT : So, so just so there is- Just so there is clarity, I’m asking you to repeat. You will never be part of the Indian Union?
TM : Well, so long as that is imposed on the Nagas.
KT : What do you mean imposed? In what way can you accept being part of the Indian Union?
TM : Okay, remember, remember, the question is why should we become part of the Indian Union if our history is clear ?
KT : So, you’re saying you will never be part of the Union?
TM : We will never be part of India. If it is not, Indians are not respecting our rights.
KT : Okay. I think I’ve understood, I was simply getting you to repeat it, I think I’ve understood you will never be part of the Indian Union, you will never accept the Indian Constitution.
*nods*
Yes ?
Mhmm
KT : That’s a yes?
TM : Yes. That is, that is what Nehru dictated on us.
KT : No, but I’m now talking about your position, forget Nehru. I just want clarity, cause it’s so important. You are saying you will never be part of the Indian Union ?
TM : Hmmm
KT : Yes ?
TM : Yes, we are bound to talk that way, because how can we surrender our right to the Indians ?


(To be contd)