‘Fed-up Nagas’ demands immediate implementation of the agreements signed between the GoI and Naga political groups.
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DIMAPUR — ‘Fed-up Nagas,’ a Naga youth movement demanding the immediate implementation of the agreements signed between the Government of India and Naga political groups, was announced on Thursday with the primary objective of urging the Government of India to implement the signed agreements without delay.
At a press conference in Chümoukedima, Kuhoto I Awomi announced the gathering of Naga youth to tackle the Naga political issue, clarifying they are not an organisation, but “Fed-up Naga youth” representing concerned individuals across Nagaland and beyond.
“We are non-partisan. We are pro-peace, pro-agreement, pro-Naga future. We are neutral, inclusive, and pro-agreement”, he maintained while stating that they are not questioning the intent of the elders or leaders but questioning the cost of silence.
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He felt that it was high time for the GoI to implement the agreements which have been rotting.
“Through our movement, we want to ask the Government of India to implement the agreed agreements. We support the Framework Agreement. We support the Agreed Position. We also appreciate the stand of the state government which is always ready to facilitate and pave the way. And now it is high time for the GoI to immediately implement,” he said.
Responding to a query on his remark about inclusivity, Awomi said the solution is for the Naga youth and the Naga people, including Nagas beyond the borders.
He also affirmed that they do not have a president, general secretary, or convener but have come together as a group, he urged fed-up youths to join the movement.
Ninoto Khekiye Chishi, another member, said this conglomerate of youths is not accusing or attacking any individuals, groups, or organisations, but is here to speak about a system — a system that has allowed a temporary situation to become a permanent way of life, transforming the abnormal into the normal, with the youths paying the price.
He said the GoI does not seem to acknowledge that the issue is a pressing matter and cannot be delayed any further.
According to him, apart from corruption and taxation that have been repeatedly highlighted ad nauseam, the evils of monopoly, syndicates, and gun culture in the state have arisen due to prolonged political delays, and remarked, “The longer we glorify weapons, the sooner we bury our children.”
The most evil of these diseases, he said, is the psychological damage inflicted on the minds of the youth, which has made them believe that “fear is normal, silence is survival, corruption is a way of life, violence is legitimate, and uncertainty is forever.”
Aga Rengma said they have come as individual Naga youths, not representatives of any group or tribe, to appeal to others to join as concerned individuals. They are representing the silent majority of suffering youths, not organisations or communities or affiliations, he clarified.
‘Fed-up Nagas,’ he explained, was coined from being fed up “with corruption, nepotism, false promises and unfulfilled assurances. So, we are all basically fed up.” He further clarified that it is not an organisational nomenclature.
“We are standing for implementation of the agreements signed by our NSCN governments. After years of talks, they signed the Framework Agreement and Agreed Position, believing they are best for our people, with people's support. Let us implement what has been agreed upon, no more delays. 11 years since Framework Agreement, 9 years since Agreed Position and it is time for action not mockery of our leaders by the GoI,” he said.
He further urged the Government of India not to make a mockery of itself or take the Naga people for granted by trivialising their history, rights, aspirations, and identity.
“Whatever has been agreed with the Naga people through our governments—NSCN governments, both Framework Agreement and Agreed Position—since it has been agreed upon and signed already, implement it at the earliest. That is our youth's demand”, he asserted. The white paper on the Fed-Up Nagas website laid out four demands to the GoI, stating that it should publicly clarify its position on both agreements; set a clear, time-bound roadmap for implementation; engage transparently with all Naga stakeholders; and stop prolonging negotiations under the pretext of “consultations” without outcomes.
It also stated, “We believe sincerity is proven not by statements, but by action. Ten years since the signing of the Framework Agreement and eight years since the Agreed Position is more than enough.”