Speech of Rh. Raising at Joint Council Meeting on Indian and Burmese Colonialism

The waves of Indian and Burmese colonialism in Nagalim have been covertly or overtly wrecking the land, the mind and the culture of the Nagas without ceasing. The Indian and the Burmese states have already established their political out posts in Nagalim in the guise of development and security threat.

History says the British imperialists came to India in the name of East India Company in 1600 with political motive. Decades later, the British forces led by Robert Clive captured Nawab of West Bengal through the mock battle of Plassey in 1756 where the later was subjugated by theBritish. Thereafter, the British forces marched to the north and defeated the Nawab of Outh resulting in the political subjugation of the whole India.

The forces of colonialism are rampant everywhere in Nagalim. They are – the Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh, the Nepalese from Nepal, the Kukis from Burmese Chin state, the Chakmas from Chittagong Hills, Bangladesh, tea gardeners from Bihar and Odisha and various business communities from Indian sub-continent. If we do not take strong political and legal steps to check them today, our children will face insurmountable problem from them tomorrow.

Indianization of Nagalim through import voters from Indian mainland by the Naga politicians is a matter to be viewed seriously. Status and money-monger politicians don’t care for the future of their people. The Indian leaders whom they trust say corrupt people can be purchased or sold for a price. Colonization of a country through Immigrants and refugees is not a new thing. One of the strategies of the immigrants is to legalize their stay through marriage of convenience. Hundreds of Naga women have fallen into the pits of this kind of deception. Conversion to Buddhism, Hinduism and Islamism for political reason is another hostile forces working in Nagalim to be combated.

Arbitrary creation of puppet states and governments is one of the main policies the colonial powers pursue for subduing the weaker peoples and nations. Planting a state with its machineries to controlling peoples is the most effective instrument of the colonial power. To cite a few examples- the so-called Nagaland state in India and the Naga self-rule government in Burma embracing only a small chunk of Naga territories and few populations are pure acts of colonialism. A large chunk of Naga territories has been snatched away and annexed by the Burmese government through such kind of colonial policy. The Nagas will be reduced to a negligible minority or become foreigners in their own land before long if they do not work out an honorable solution with the government of Burma before it is too late.

Colonization of Nagalim through Indian political parties is another established policy of the government of India. The Nagas of Congress party, BJP party or other parties are consciously or unconsciously the agents of Indian colonial policy. Hypnotized or drunk with the deception of tempting political bait of the enemies they become advocates for the wrong cause of the aggressors. It is so because all Indian political parties are Delhi-oriented which always stands diametrically opposed to the concept of Naga nation.

Every Naga has come to know that the so-called 16-point agreement can never save the future of the Nagas. The Shillong Accord is but another face of the same coin of Indian constitution. It must be understood by all that our future is not in the Indian constitution. Then, where is the accord or agreement that can save the future of the Nagas?

The Nagas are desperately in need of an agreement with the government of India and Burma that can save their future. After prolonged negotiations with the government of India, the historic Framework Agreement was signed in 2015 between GOI and NSCN as two entities. We hope all the rational Nagas understand the reality that the Nagas are now placed in a safe and secure position by the Framework Agreement.

The Framework Agreement recognizes the sovereign right of the Nagas. It has recognized the unique identity and the history of the Nagas. It has also recognized the territory of the Nagas by stating that “Nagas are the owner of their land”. It is also mutually agreed upon that integration of all Naga territories is the legitimate right of the Nagas. However, it further states that for bringing an honorable and acceptable solution to both parties, co-existence of the two entities and share sovereignty of the two entities are mutually agreed.

We can assure you that the ‘Framework Agreement’ will be our political wall that protects our land, our identity, our rights, our culture, our history and our future from all impending dangers of hostile raging waves roaring against the Nagas on the one hand and it will also be a strong durable bridge between India and Nagalim on the other. And that Nagas will decide their future by themselves, not by others anymore. Hebron will be the Centre of Naga politics, government, culture, civilization and the seat of their high command.

Now with the end of the eras of confrontation and negotiation, this Framework Agreement has opened up a new era for the Nagas. We are now setting our foot in the stage of era of building our world.

The era of building the infrastructures of a social system for creation of a positive social environment, scientific education system for production of generations of scientists in different fields, material and spiritual developments of our land and people, building industries for massive productions, marketing, trade and commerce for generation of revenues and others for making our country a land of peace and progress and a society of higher order has come.

It is now the time of building the damaged psychology of our people; it is the time of building relationship with our neighbors; it is the time of reconciliation with India; it is the time to go to the house of the Lord and praise and worship the Creator of Nagalim.

This is the time of unity for all Nagas in the declared political line of the people with one decision, one voice, one mind, one spirit and one faith. We have spent enough time talking only about the past overlooking the present and the future. It is the time to focus on the present and the future. Our decision today will determine our tomorrow. All Nagas unite in the political and historical lines we come from.

KUKNALIM!