Only few people working truly for Nagas — Niki Sumi

Dimapur: Niki Sumi, Gen. (Retd), President of NSCN/GPRN, on Tuesday, said very few Nagas were working practically and physically for the Nagas, while majority were staying in their comfort zones and criticising others, which has created division among the Nagas.

He was addressing the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagaland (GPRN/NSCN) 43rd Naga Republic Day Celebration at CFSB office, Padumpukhuri, Dimapur.

He stated that Nagas, be it from Myanmar, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur or Nagaland, have full political rights but there were only few practical workers and 90% were just “sitting at home” without putting any effort for the Naga cause.

He said many were commenting on what needs to be done, what is right or wrong, from their own homes or offices; and therefore asked the people to not only speak vocally but also be practical and contribute towards the cause.

Maintaining that there were many intellectuals in the state today, he appealed to them to look into what needs to be done.

Sumi went on to state that there were many different stories written about Nagas and some were even distorted, but Nagas have always been sovereign people and were not under the rule of any other country.

He asserted that the British came and dominated India but even when the British empire was at the zenith of its colonial imperialism, Naga areas were excluded from the ambit of British India.

He further questioned how Nagas have become so disunited, lamenting over the present generation, who have become ‘individualistic’ and ‘forgotten their history’.

He stated that there is a need for unity among the Nagas at this juncture; and all the Nagas, not just national workers, should introspect about bringing unity.

Sumi recalled that in the past, Nagas were “very united” and doing good works and thus, appealed to the people to continue the legacy of the forefathers and maintain unity, do good and fight for Nagas as one.