Government of India displaying politics of hypocrisy, says NSCN (IM) Chairman Tuccu

Dimapur: The Chairman of the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim (NSCN-IM), Q Tuccu, on Tuesday, said the fate of the Framework Agreement hangs in the balance and accused the government of India of displaying politics of “hypocrisy and flattery”.

He said this during the 44th Republic Day celebration of the NSCN (IM) at Council Headquarters, Hebron, Chümoukedima.

Tuccu highlighted that the world at large is keenly observing India’s actions towards the Framework Agreement, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proclaimed before the world that he has solved the longest insurgency problem in Southeast Asia.

He pointed out that despite the Indian prime minister’s proclamation, the reality is that the government of India is now displaying politics of “hypocrisy and flattery”. Tuccu further stated that the Indian government is only seeking an escape route to dilute the political significance of the Framework Agreement.

Tuccu said that it took years of grueling negotiations to finally sign the groundbreaking Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015, and asserted that the agreement recognises and protects their political identity as a sovereign people.

He, however, lamented that in the years that followed, the government of India started to “fiddle with what has been agreed upon”.

Meanwhile, Tuccu expressed his pride in the Naga National Independence Day, which was declared on August 14, 1947.  However, he noted that India responded with extreme brutality, deploying armed forces that were unruly and unprecedented.

‘Despite this, the people of Nagalim persevered in upholding their rights, and the world has witnessed the terrible military oppressions and political turmoil they have endured in Nagalim,’ he said.

Tuccu emphasised the significant progress made in the Indo-Naga political talks, pointing out that the 1997 ceasefire agreement between the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) and the Government of India (GoI) was to prepare the ground for principle-based negotiations and solution.

He stated that it took them five years of persistent efforts to make the Indian authorities comprehend the Naga issue and acknowledge the unique history of the Nagas, which was finally recognised by the Indian Government in 2002.

During the celebration, Tuccu reiterated the importance of the Naga flag and constitution and made it clear to the government of India that these were indispensable and inviolable parts of their recognised sovereignty and unique history of the Nagas. He said the same was reaffirmed during the Emergency National Assembly held on May 31, 2022, where the NSCN committed to upholding and protecting the unique Naga history and principles at any cost.

He went on to say that they were now simply waiting to see how the government of India will pick up the threads of the Indo-Naga political talks with correct narrative and not for its own convenience.

Furthermore, Tuccu said that the absurdity of the situation regarding Indo-Naga political talks is therefore entirely the making of the government of India as its “commitment to the Framework Agreement turned unsavory with each passing days”.

 “The fight is going to be tough, but it is to be noted that ours is not a contest of strength, it is a matter of right and wrong, just and unjust. Therefore, the truth shall triumph in the long run”, he stated.

Q Tuccu, commenced the 44th Republic Day celebration by hoisting the GPRN National flag, followed by a moment of silence in honor of the martyrs.

A representative from Naga Hoho read out the president’s message, reminding everyone to recall and honor the pioneering leaders who sacrificed and contributed towards their prosperity.

The message also stated that the quest for freedom is yet to be practical and turned into reality, but as they continue to struggle towards their goal, not a single Naga should succumb to any form of oppression or suppression that would deprive them of their rights as a united Naga nation.

Addressing the gathering, representative of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) emphasised that the NSF is committed to defending the unique identity and history of the Naga people, and will not be swayed by pretense or hypocrisy.

NSF expressed concern about the divisions that exist within Naga society, and stressed on the need for finding a solution to this issue. It made suggestions on how to move forward with the Naga cause and assured that the youth were committed to the righteous cause of the Naga people and would work towards its fulfillment.

The ENPO Dimapur representative appreciated the efforts made by the GPRN in advancing the Naga national movement and urged everyone to stand together. ENPO emphasised on the importance of unity among civil societies and called for an end to political games that only serve to divide the Nagas.

Short speeches were also delivered by Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), Global Naga Forum, United Naga Council, Naga Students’ Union Shillong, Naga Public Organisation, Eastern Naga Students’ Federation, Rengma Naga People’s Council and Zeme Council Assam.