Naga political struggle more than 6 decades — WC, NNPG

Dimapur, June 25 (EMN): The Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPG) has stated that the Naga political struggle is a century old and not six decades as mentioned in the Framework Agreement (FA) signed between the government of India and the NSCN (IM).

The group said this in a press release issued on Friday, citing the formation of Naga Club in 1918 and subsequent memorandum submitted to British Statutory Commission in 1929. It said “by 1947, it was crystal clear, the political struggle had begun” and termed the FA as ‘haphazard and historically inaccurate’.

“History will not blame entire IM setup for this debacle because it was orchestrated by a group within the leadership. 1955 was roughly the year when few Manipuri Nagas joined the Naga political movement. During WWI many Manipuri Nagas joined Manipuri Labour Corps. They returned home with bronze MLC medals on their chests.

“They were not part of the Naga Club, they were not signatory to Simon Commission, they were not engaged on 14th Aug.1947 event. They did not take part in 1951 plebiscite. This is a reality. Naturally, Naga political struggle, to them is six decades or less, counting from 1955 to FA 2015,” read the press release.

Stating that serious political strategy had begun in 1918 for Nagaland tribes, the working committee said the “NSCN IM decision makers had taken every measure to erase political events which their fathers did not participate in”. 

“Legitimacy over any matter, let alone taxation, must have historical and moral basis,” it added.

It said that “a Naga group” declaring to continue taxation on the Naga people is senseless and “an insult to heavily burdened Nagas in Nagaland”. It added that while 1951 plebiscite was an “unwritten agreement” by the Nagas to voluntarily contribute towards the political movement, it shouldn’t be used “to destroy the livelihood of our people through forceful taxation”.

While stating that the GoI has ruled out Naga integration at present but would be pursued democratically post solution, the working committee said the “Agreed Position” is a reaffirmation and extension of 1951 plebiscite.

“The tribes of Nagaland, NGBF, FNR, NTC, CNTC, NBCC, and all Naga civil societies and intellectuals, demanded and assisted in bringing together seven NNPGs as Working Committee (WC). The political talks with the GoI have concluded. On the basis of the Agreed position signed with GoI on 17th Nov. 2017, after three years of negotiations, a status paper is available and all Naga tribes and civil societies have been briefed on the political structure of impending solution,” read the statement.

“As long as WC, NNPGs and GoI work on to finalise honourable and acceptable political solution for future Naga generations, the pledge and spirit of 1951 plebiscite will guide our people to assist and sustain the movement,” it added.