Speech of Hon’ble Ato Kilonser Ino Th. Muivah on the 78th Naga Independence Day Celebration, 14th August, 2024, at Council Headquarters, Hebron

My dear comrades and countrymen!

On 14th August, 1947 when Naga Independence Day was declared, history was created. It was a proud moment for the Nagas to assert their rights as a nation to be among the comity of independent nations. In conformity with the dignity of the Nagas and as demanded by the UN standard, it was informed to the UN and duly acknowledged. The declaration was also informed to the Government of India and the King of England, George VI as well. We did not fail to do the right thing in accordance with the spirit of UN Charter of Human Rights that mentions “Recognising that the peoples of the world ardently desire the end of colonialism in all its manifestations”.

In keeping with the spirit of UN Charter with sovereign equality of states, it was cabled to the Secretary General of United Nations that read:

“Benign Excellency,

Kindly put on record that Nagas will be independent. Discussions with India are being carried on to that effect. Nagas do not accept the Indian Constitution. The right of the people must prevail regardless of size.”

Thus, Nagas have taken into consideration to follow human dignity in accordance with the UN Charter “to encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms”. I am proud to say that in pursuit of our freedom, Nagas have not faulted in any manner that contravenes international law. This is on record.

Nagas are peace loving people and we have always followed peaceful process to have our sovereign rights respected and honoured. Nagas are sovereign nation since time immemorial. Our great freedom fighters awakened themselves as a people and as a nation to stand up for their rights and assert their independence through non violent resistance and civil disobedience movement. Today, it is our privilege to remember them and pay homage to them for their exemplary leadership, courage and sacrifice for the cause of Naga nation, inspired by the spirit of Nagalim for Christ.

My dear comrades and countrymen!

78 years down the lane we have not lost the courage and spirit of freedom had not waned. We have kept pace with the spirit of 1997 ceasefire to find lasting Naga political solution. Our steadfastness in sticking to our guns resulted in signing the historic Framework Agreement (FA) of August 3, 2015. This was a milestone achievement of Indo-Naga political dialogue as the sovereign right of the Naga people was recognised after more than seven decades of Naga political struggle.

When NSCN signed the Framework Agreement we have taken much thought for the future security of the Naga people lest we commit another mistake. Needless to say, FA is a “matter of life and death” for the Nagas. If we fail to grasp the political significance of FA by displaying total lack of political foresight, the world at large will laugh at us for being frivolous when given such opportunity to make the best use of FA. Even the time will come when the next generation will question the Nagas of today for their misplaced approach to the given historic Framework Agreement that carried the sovereign identity of the Naga people as a nation. Rather, it will be a “Himalayan Blunder” if the Nagas placed themselves at the wrong side of Framework Agreement.

To put on record the recognition of the sovereign identity of the Naga nation, the Framework Agreement mentions “peaceful co-existence of the two entities” which means India and Nagalim will have peaceful co-existence. This may go on for 10 years or 50 years depending on how the mutual understanding is interpreted in right spirit. But if India indulges in what is called “a departure from what is proper” between two entities, dragging the vulnerable Nagas into a dangerous political brinkmanship, India shall be accused or held responsible for serious breach of agreement with respect to peaceful co-existence of the two entities as mentioned in FA.

My Dear countrymen!

We fully acknowledge your contribution and forbearance during the course of the movement. This is what we count the most as we have to serve one another to safeguard the political and national identity of the Nagas under any adverse situation.

You know we have all put in a lot of “blood, sweat and tears” to defend our political rights. We have paid heavy price for the love of our freedom. Our love for freedom means we have to bear one another’s burden. We have to make personal sacrifice for the common good. We cannot have what is ours unless we pay the price. Unless we struggle ourselves, no one else will come forward to help us. Unless we defend our freedom, we risk becoming a lost people. Thank God we have stood the ground.

We are very grateful to our Almighty God for giving us many friends and sympathisers both in India and abroad. They are the people who understand and respect the legitimacy of Naga issue. For this reason we have establish strong footholds in international organisations like UNPO and others across the world. We are highly indebted for their unflinching support.

My dear comrades and countrymen!

The day the Government of India and National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) signed the historic Framework Agreement on 3rd August, 2015, the world came to know better about the political rights of the Naga nation. This is no ordinary event of history. The whole process of signing ceremony was live broadcast and given the status of a high profile political solemnity, and the world was made to watch to bear witness. Importantly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the massing of applauding throngs from his government. It was equally matched by the presence of NSCN dignitaries. Given the political importance that will go down into Indo-Naga history, Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook the trouble to supervise the details from the beginning to the end. Ironically, the same prime minister has turned cool as the years keep going away. What makes him go slow in implementing FA, his own brainchild? Certainly, he is in default playing with the protracted Naga issue.

My dear comrades and countrymen!

We know that stable economy is the survivor of the nation. God has not left out Nagalim without any natural resources to sustain the economy of the Nagas. Nagalim is sitting on a fortune of minerals as God has blessed Naga nation abundantly. It is endowed with major mineral resources including petroleum spread out in different parts of Nagalim. It belongs to us and nobody can exploit at the cost of undermining the sovereign ownership. The right of ownership over our land resources is absolute, and no amount of casting covetous eyes will change the course.

My dear comrades and countrymen!

Nagas are now living through unique moment of our history. The world as we see is in turmoil. There is noise around the Naga areas in Myanmar. We cannot afford to stand like a coward when our lands are under threat of being dominated by people of alien origin. Land and people cannot be separated. Whatever may betide we shall stand the ground to defend our God-given land. Naga nation means people with land (territory) of their own. We shall not tolerate against any force on earth poking their nose to keep the Nagas divided either through arbitrary decision or political means.

Our forefathers have sacrificed the best of their lives and went through “blood, sweats and tears” to build the foundation for Naga people as a nation. Why should we allow ourselves to be used as cheap commodity betraying the vision of our pioneer freedom fighters, to be traded in exchange for short term gain? The consequences of our “never caring approach for the well-being of future generations” will certainly put us on the road to political damnation. What is “Nagalim for Christ” for us if the real essence is misplaced from our hearts? How beautiful the Naga political movement would be if we proved ourselves as the exemplary figures and accept the divine inspiration that there is no insurmountable problem if we trust God and surrender our political struggle under His command. Let us stand firm in His name and give glory to Him always.

KUKNALIM!