No power should prohibit us from using our flag

RH. RAISING WAS home minister of the Naga parallel government in Hebron when the Indian government and the NSCN(IM) signed the framework agreement on August 3, 2015.

- BY NAMRATA BIJI AHUJA

Describing that agreement as a "meeting point", Raising insists that any final settlement must be honourable and rooted in principle.

The way forward, he says, is shared sovereignty and joint defence of the borders. "In the event of an invasion or external threat, Naga and Indian forces could jointly defend the land," he says.

Edited excerpts from an interview:

Q You have said that the government of India has recognised Naga sovereignty. What do you mean by that?

The government of India has recognised that sovereignty lies with the people. Therefore, the sovereignty of the Nagas lies with the Naga people, just as the sovereignty of India lies with the Indian people.