Nagaland
Not a single penny accepted from GoI — Working committee
Dimapur, Oct. 20 (EMN): Observing that Nagaland is currently under the grip of “confusion and distortion of reality”, the working committee of NNPGs has sought to make its stance clear.
A press release from the committee on Sunday stated that “so much” is being circulated in the visual and social media accusing the committee of accepting economic and financial packages from the government of India.
“Jehowa, our God Almighty, the creator of Naga homeland is the witness. Not a penny has been accepted from GoI from the first round of negotiation till up-to-date and will not be accepted till solution arrive. Naga People’s generosity, contribution and prayer support has taken us thus far. Attempt to devalue and demean the impending Indo-Naga political solution is very unfortunate.
“The solution is not confined to Nagaland state. It is equally for Naga people across our ancestral land. The solidarity and prayer support of tribe hohos, civil societies, GBs, churches and peace mediators and common citizens as equal partners stand testimony against any false propaganda,” read the statement.
It also informed that the ‘agreed position’ signed between the committee and New Delhi declares: “GoI recognises the right of the Nagas to self determine their future in consonance with their distinct identity.”
Any agreement will be signed on behalf of the Naga people, with the people’s consent and in presence of Naga tribal leaders, it stated.
Post-agreement, the committee’s top-most priority will be inter-tribe discourse, it assured.
“Our common pursuit shall be to eradicate corruption, tribalism and nepotism from all spheres of our existence. All Naga tribes must be prepared to shoulder the responsibility of rebuilding the lost confidence and trust within us irrespective of the artificial boundary that separates us.
“WC, NNPGs believes a morally, spiritually, socially, politically and economically strong and vibrant Nagaland will, unquestionably, determine the pace and progress of remaining unresolved issues between GoI and Nagas. WC, NNPG is clear that the first step towards Naga integration and self-determination would be to understand political realities in our time,” it stated.
Nagas cannot betray 1951 plebiscite — NSCN (IM)
The NSCN (IM) has once again made its position clear that Nagas cannot be forced to join the Union of India.
Convener of the group’s steering committee, ‘Maj. (Retd.)’ Hutovi Chishi issued a statement on Sunday asserting its commitment to the 1951 plebiscite. “Nagas and Indians were strangers to each other. Nagas never knew Indians nor do the Indians know the Nagas. It was because of the British who put the Nagas under the Indian state, which was without their consent. Taking advantage, Indians forcefully occupied the Naga Hills.
“From time immemorial, Nagas were never a part of India or any other nation. Nagas were asked to join the Indian Union only after India got her independence. But, unlike other princely states, Nagas refused to be a part of Indian Union. Nagas are still committed to the 1951 plebiscite where 99.9% Nagas voted in favour of independence. Nagas cannot betray the wisdom of our forefathers who have taken the right decision at the right time,” read the statement.
He stated that ‘having established a strong foundation after the agreement on unique history of the Nagas’, the government of India and NSCN (IM) finally signed the ‘framework agreement’ on August, 3 2015 “to form the basis for the solution of the Naga political issue”.
According to him, the government of India had signed the ‘framework agreement’ in recognition of the sovereign right of the Naga people, and that solution will be based on the uniqueness of the Naga history as two entities (shared sovereignty).
“At the crucial stage of the talks, the government of India is now backtracking from the ‘framework agreement’ in complicity with some few Nagas who are dancing to the tune of the GoI. These few Nagas have taken the abominable path to support the divisive policy of the government of India simply for the fulfilment of their selfish and vested interest, and thus compromising the God given right of the Nagas.
“They have shown least concern for the hundreds of thousands Nagas who sacrificed their lives for the cause of free Nagalim. Such Nagas who support Indian policy to deny Naga’s legitimate rights will surely be cursed by the spirits of the hundreds of thousands who sacrificed for the Naga cause. The government of India clearly knows the independent right of the Nagas but for the few Nagas who love money more than the right of the Naga people, India entered in collusion with this small groups.
“Any political group who feel exhausted working for the Naga cause should have quietly left the field for others to carry on. But, to sell out Naga’s rights they have gone too far. How can we allow someone to stand in the way to Naga political salvation? Is it wise on the part of the Nagas to remain silent and allow selected few to freely betray the nation?” read the statement.
Hundreds and thousands of crores can never bring back the lives of half a million who had sacrificed their lives for Naga’s political cause, Chishi said.
“Why should we put our younger generation to shame for the satisfaction of financial pleasure? Our past leaders like AZ Phizo, Imkongmeren, Kughato Sukhai, Scato Swu, Isak Chishi Swu, Khodao Yanthan, General Mowu, General Kaito Sema, General Zuheto Swu, General Kholi Konyak, SS Khaplang and others never talk of independence or solution for the Nagas of Nagaland state only. The spirits of these leaders will surely haunt them for deviating from the national course set by them with blood, sweat and tears.
“Thousands of Nagas from Burma, Manipur, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh have sacrificed their lives for the future of the whole Nagas and not for the Nagaland state alone. Their sacrifice is not for a particular tribe or community, but for the whole Nagas beyond artificial boundaries. It is difficult to imagine how we Nagas should betray ourselves, and also betray our God who gave us this precious land and the right for self-determination. How can we proved ourselves to be so short-sighted?” he said.
Chishi expressed belief that 99.9 % of the Nagas still support the 1951 plebiscite and stands for Naga independence.