NNC/FGN responds to the NPF statement and reiterates its historical position on the Naga political issue.
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DIMAPUR — The Naga National Council (NNC)/Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) on Wednesday issued a statement responding to recent comments issued by the Naga People's Front (NPF).
In the statement issued by Rali Wali under the leadership of Zhopra Vero, the NNC/FGN stated that historical facts are increasingly subjected to distortion, selective interpretation, and political convenience.
The statement pointed out that the Naga people collectively asserted their political rights and resisted both British imperial rule and subsequent Indian administration. It cited the 1929 Memorandum to the Simon Commission, the declaration of Independence on August 14, 1947, the Plebiscite of 1951, and the boycott of the 1952 elections as undeniable milestones.
Further, it recalled the words of the then Ato Kilonser Kughato Sukhai on September 30, 1967, while en route to Delhi for the sixth round of talks, where he stated that no solution could be found within the framework of the Indian Constitution.
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The NNC/FGN alleged that over time, a group of opportunists and collaborators emerged within society, driven by personal ambition, who were employed by the Indian establishment to undermine the Naga political cause.
It noted that the international attention generated by the father of the Naga nation, AZ Phizo, created concern in Indian political circles, leading to the creation of the state of Nagaland. Therefore, claims by certain political leaders that statehood or Article 371(A) was solely their achievement must be viewed in a proper historical perspective as harvesting the fruits of sacrifices, struggles, and political groundwork laid by others.
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The statement criticised the current political leadership of the state, alleging that they have manipulated institutions to protect themselves from accountability and obstructed attempts to resolve the political issue. It also referenced the removal of former Governor RN Ravi, suggesting it was due to his attempts to enforce accountability and address corruption.
The NNC/FGN also expressed concern over the recent Memorandum of Understanding signed involving the governments of Nagaland and Assam on oil exploration, characterising it as a "gross misunderstanding of Naga history and geography" due to the classification of historically recognised Naga territories as disputed boundary areas.
It called upon all Nagas to remain vigilant, to uphold historical truth, and to distinguish between genuine national commitment and political opportunism.