Federal Government of Nagaland flays ‘state-managed’ Naga peace talks

KOHIMA — Commemorating the 78th Naga Independence Day, Gen. (Retd.) Viyalie Metha, Kedahge of the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN), on Wednesday, sharply criticised the ongoing Naga peace talks with India.

Metha accused “self-centred Naga intellectuals,” “pseudo nationalists,” and “renegade groups” of misleading the Naga people by engaging in what he perceived as “stage-managed” peace talks with India that have yielded no results.

Addressing the gathering at Chedema Peace Camp, he said that the FGN would continue to uphold the Ceasefire Agreement of September 6, 1964, with the Government of India, adhering to a policy of non-violence.

He also paid tribute to national leaders who made the right decisions at the right time and sacrificed their lives for the nation’s cause, and called upon every Naga citizen to celebrate this historic day with humility towards God.

“As we celebrate this landmark of our national history, let us reflect on the facts legally established by our past leaders. It was a fact that the Nagas declared their age-old independence on August 14, 1947, before India was freed by the British,” Metha said.

He highlighted that the Nagas conducted a plebiscite on May 16, 1951, to dispel doubts about the formal declaration of the age-old Naga independence by neighbouring India and to show the world the position of the Nagas.

“It was a fact that the Naga people made the Lakhuti Resolution on April 27, 1955, which still stands to judge those who violate it,” he added.

Asserting the legitimacy of the Naga’s right to self-determination, Metha reminded the gathering that the Naga national government, known as the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN), was established on March 22, 1956. He maintained that God granted Nagaland to the Naga people and lauded past leaders for valiantly defending their homeland and establishing unshakeable legal foundations to protect their rights from any threat.

“Now, it is for us to live and enjoy the fruits of our heritage, which was handed down to us by our forefathers. It is also our responsibility to protect, preserve, and nurture our heritage. The true legacy that was handed down to us by our forefathers should not be forgotten,” he said.

He went on to say that the Naga National Council (NNC) and the FGN had peacefully and successfully celebrated their Platinum Jubilees in 2021 and 2022, respectively, at Chedema, and called upon the Naga people to continue seeking God’s mercy and acknowledge His blessings upon the Naga nation and its people.

Metha further implored the Naga people to engage in deep introspection and repentance, turning away from malice and harmful practices. He expressed his hope for a spiritual revival within Nagaland, praying for God’s strength to ultimately remove the occupying Indian forces from their land.

The commemoration included a flag-raising ceremony, with Metha unfurling the Naga national flag and receiving a salute.