The Speech of His Excellency, Mr. Q. Tuccu, the Yaruiwo of the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim (GPRN), on the 43rd Republic Day celebration on the 21St March, 2022 at the Council Headquarters (CHq), Hebron
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
My dear countrymen, this day reminds us of our history and our freedom struggle which involves blood, sweat and tears. It was on this day that the Republic of Nagalim- Sovereign Christian Socialist Democratic Republic, was officially declared to assert the Nagas’ right to exist as a nation which reflects democratic principles, justice and liberty in keeping with our God’s given history and political identity. We have come a long way and thank God we have not wavered in asserting our identity as a nation. Our commitment and dedication was never in doubt no matter what situation we encountered.
Let us recommit ourselves to God who brought us this far. This is also the time to pay homage to our great leaders who inspired us and died as martyrs in their quest for giving us better future and freedom from bondage. As we open the pages of our history which was written in blood, sweat and tears, it reminds us how many thousands of Nagas, both civilians and revolutionary soldiers have sacrificed their precious lives. The Indian security forces also paid a heavy price, desperate to suppress our freedom struggle. But our freedom fighters stood their ground without giving up. Finally, a time comes when three top military generals of the Indian Army- Gen. Shankar Roy Chowdhury, Gen. (Johny) Mukherjee and Gen. KM Seth expressed the futility of seeking a military solution to the Naga issue. They drive home the hard hitting point to the Government of India (Gol) that the Naga issue cannot be solved through military means but only through political dialogue as the Naga issue is political. This is how the 1997 Second Indo-Naga Ceasefire was brought about with a view to solving the Naga problem through peaceful means as both the parties entered into mutual understanding that military solution is not possible. When the Indo-Naga political talks started we acknowledged the presence of God as it was He who guided us all the way through giving us the courage and conviction that we should take the stand under any pressing circumstances to defend our political right. The Amsterdam meeting between the representatives of the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim from July 9 to 11, 2002 was a huge milestone in the Indo-Naga political talks as the Government of India officially recognized the unique history and situation of the Nagas and agreed that the talks should proceed in an accommodative and forward- looking manner so that a lasting and honourable solution can be arrived at.
It was in the year 2010 during the time of Mr. RS Pandey, the interlocutor that the Government of India submitted its first comprehensive official response to the NSCN in New Delhi, wherein it was proposed that the political dialogue should move forward on the principles of “Shared Sovereignty”. The political significance of sharing the sovereign power means to establish the new political arrangement that provide for an “enduring inclusive new relationship with the Government of India”. However, there are forces at work to wreck the Framework Agreement. They are desperately trying to confuse the people that the Framework Agreement speaks nothing of sovereignty, flag or integration. Needless to say, these three issues are the biggest determining factors to make the Naga Accord honourable and acceptable. Let us remain guarded and not be fooled by such a dogmatic political campaign. The ball is now in the court of India as we have made our stand very loud and clear that the Naga political solution cannot be finalised without the Naga national flag and the Naga constitution (Yehzabo) that represents the Naga political entity as a nation.
My dear countrymen, The Government of India is trying to impose a Naga solution which is not based on the Framework Agreement. We should not allow such a well-planned treachery to bulldoze the will of the Naga people. Re-edited version of the 16 Point Agreement is at work. We have to face this situation boldly as our right is not being honoured. We should instil ourselves the courage and determination to stand by the Framework Agreement which is the only acceptable basis for the Naga solution. This is the time to take this decision in order to protect our identity and our history. We have to take the right decision at the right time. Nobody has the right to take away what belongs to us. When the Government of India recognises the uniqueness of the Naga history, the Naga solution should also be unique. No wonder, unique solution to Naga issue will come only the when the Government of India honour the Framework Agreement in letter and spirit.
The bitter truth of the history is before us lest we commit another monumental blunder.
KUKNALIM!
Q. Tuccu
