Speech Delivered on 22nd November by Dr. Hokishe Yeptho at the GPRN/NSCN 9th Unification Day

Your Excellency, Chairman General (Rtd) M.B. Neokpao, Honorable, General Secretary N. Kitovi Zhimomi and respected Tribal leaders and ladies and gentleman, at this auspicious occasion I would like to bring my fondest greetings to you all in the precious name of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Dear brothers and sisters of Nagas of Nagaland, what I am going to speak is all about the truth. “Truth is truth, whoever speak about it, but sometime truth is also like a bitter pill to swallow, but if somehow you could swallow, it has curative element to cure your illness. It is my principle that I cannot synchronize white and black into something like grey colour. Therefore, what I’m going to speak is nothing but the plain truth. The talk about Gun Culture of the past is no more prevailed in Nagaland. It is time for us to introspect our past short-comings and mend our ways and distill our wisdom to speak out what is truth and best for the Nagas of Nagaland. We have “freedom of Speech” granted by the constitution of India. I therefore, appeal to the Naga intellectuals to speak out without fear or favour for the sake of the Nagas of Nagaland. Why I says, “Nagas of Nagaland” because, all the succeeding Indian political leaders unanimously spelt out very clearly that Peace Talk shall be based on “no sovereignty and no integration” and also stated that the “territorial integrity of Manipur States will not be distorted at the cost of Naga Peace Talk” which invariably meant, the Peace Talk between the Government of India and NSCN (IM) is based on these conditions. The words “no integration” indirectly or directly excluded all other Nagas outside the parameter of the present Nagaland. Once upon a time, there was pompous acclamation that the Nagas demand for sovereignty was reached the International Forum. But now it has come down to the lowest ebb- no sovereignty and no integration. Before the Peace Talk was started Mr. T. Muivah accepted pre-conditions “no sovereignty and no integration and within the constitution of India”, consequently, the talk is on the process basing on the above mentioned conditions. The Mount Everest Climbers had experienced that ascending to the top of the Mount, they have to face many obstacles and hurdles- but more so descending down is more dangerous risking one’s own life. So called the “framework” signed between the Government of India and NSCN(IM ) is in descending ladder and Nagas should not wait like an Owl for ripping Oak tree acorn which never get ripped. The Government of India could not cut the Nagas umbilical cord because it is something like Gordian knot full of intricacy and complex, even wisest man like Mr. RN Ravi, the interlocutor could not unloosed the knot. The reason is not far to seek. It is barely clear that Government of India could not find where to place Mr. Jack. He cannot be accommodated neither in Nagaland nor in Manipur state. There is lots of controversy over the Tangkhuls and Mieties. But according to Shri. Isak Chishi, Tangkhuls and Mieties are brothers. Isak Chishi in his booklet “The Origin and Migration of Nagas” page 14 Para 2 clearly stated, let me quote; “recently, the Maharaja of Manipur has admitted and declared that the Mieties and Tangkhuls are brothers. This is historical fact.” Let me not go further. The matter is left to you to introspect yourself. The Nagas of Nagaland tribes of all walks of life need to join our hands together to forge out some viable solution for The Nagas of Nagaland. Secondly, all the underground like-minded factions should unite together to start negotiation with the Government of India collectively winning the confidence and with the approval from Nagas of Nagaland Forums. There is no complexity to solve Nagas of Nagaland problem, if the Government of India has political will. At one stretch we may not achieve our destiny, therefore let us respite for some time and stride step by step till we reach our goal. At this present political juncture, we should try to solve some sorts of interim arrangement for the Nagas of Nagaland, where we can strengthen our limbs to furtherance our goal. God will grant us whatever we asked for, but he will certainly give us what we really deserve and not what we don’t. Let us try what is possible and not what is impossible and the possibility is only for the Nagas of Nagaland. There is rumor spread all around Nagaland that the 3rd August, 2015 Framework was signed by Shri. Isak Chishi. But personally, I believed and trust Sri. Isak Chishi will not sign on such a document. Supposedly, if signed on Framework as rumors spread; I as one of the senior citizens of Sumi we will not accept it. Because, on 3rd August, he was in Forte Hospital in ICU ward laying unconsciously and when a man is forced to signed on such a document with unsound mind and unconsciously, it is illegal and Sumis are not accountable for the same. Finally, FNR (Forum For Nagas Reconcilliat1on) has got to answer to the Naga public, what was the result of their faithful service for the Nagas, for the last 9 years. Let us know what are the reasons of their failure or success was. And to where they have landed. With this I conclude my speech. Kuknalim. Long Live Nagaland.