On the occasion of 76th Naga Independence Day, NSCN (I-M) Ato Kilonser Th Muivah said, “we see no meaning in negotiation if it cannot deliver solution. Indeed, we are for agreement, but it would be a form without content if it cannot bring a solution”.
TFM Report
National Socialist Council of Nagalim or the NSCN (I-M) supremo and its Ato Kilonser Th Muivah on Sunday urged all Nagas to “take critical note that divisive elements and collaborators are restlessly indulging in slanderous fabrications targeting the Framework Agreement”.
He also rued the fact that the Government of India is keeping “pretentious silence” over the Framework Agreement it has signed on August 3, 2015.
Muivah made the remark while delivering his speech on the occasion of 76th Naga Independence Day that was observed and celebrated by NSCN (I-M) on Sunday at the Council Headquarters, Hebron, Nagaland.
During his speech, Muivah appreciated all the civil society organisations that have taken “all the necessary troubles in advocating for the rights of the Naga people at any time of horrible military atrocities committed against our people by the aggressors”. “We are thankful to all the churches and prayer warriors who have been praying for the national cause and the workers in the forefront without ceasing”, he said.
While expressing gratitude to “friends abroad” for their unflinching supports to the cause of the “oppressed Naga people”, Muivah asserted, “We are neither Indians nor Burmese. There should be no doubt about it that Nagas are a sovereign people from time immemorial, which makes our history unique. Sovereignty is our birth right, which should be defended at all costs. If we cannot defend our sovereignty, our future will be decided by others. If we cannot defend our land, the aggressors will possess it. If we cannot defend our people, we will become foreigners in our own land. If we cannot defend our freedom, we will become a lost people. If we cannot defend our history, it will be uprooted. If we cannot defend our culture, it will be assimilated. And if we cannot defend our identity, we will be proselytized. We don’t want war, but war is imposed on us. War has killed hundreds of thousands of Nagas”.
Recalling that the “ugly war” had damaged the psychology of the Naga people, Muivah said this “war must be stopped or it will devour us”.
He also recalled that cease-fire with the government of India had been signed with the Nagas 25 years ago. “But we see no meaning in the cease-fire that does not embark upon political negotiation. And we see no meaning in negotiation if it cannot deliver solution. Indeed, we are for agreement, but it would be a form without content if it cannot bring a solution”.
Muivah said that all the past agreements could not bring any solution because as they “betrayed the Naga national principle”. “The Nagas are looking for an issue-based solution. And that we are opposed to imposition of Indian will on the Nagas. What shall we do if the Government of India imposes its will on us? We need to work out a survival strategy. We must stay the course. Our future is in our decision to stand firm on our sovereign right, not in submission to the aggressors”, the Ato Kilonser said.
“Our no to the dictation of the enemies will save our history”, he urged that the Nagas to take critical note that divisive elements and collaborators are restlessly indulging in slanderous fabrications targeting the Framework Agreement. The irony is that the Government of India is keeping pretentious silence over the Framework Agreement it has signed on August 3, 2015, he said.
“The 31st May, 2022, Emergency National Assembly is one of the turning points in the history of the Naga political movement. We have taken the stand before God and Naga people that NSCN will uphold and protect the unique Naga history and the Naga National principle at any costs”, asserted the NSCN (I-M) leader.
While asserting that the Naga flag and constitution are indivisible parts of the recognized sovereignty and unique history, Muivah said the Nagas have endured 25 years of gruelling ceasefire living up to their commitment for peaceful solution of the Naga political issue.
“We have not left any stone unturned of what it takes to bring a solution that is honourable, inclusive, and acceptable to both the Nagas and the Government of India. The ball is now in the court of the Government of India to make the right move and to fulfil the commitment given to the Nagas. Political movement without looking into sustainable economic development is outmoded policy”, said Muivah.
He also pointed that that Nagalim is immensely rich in terms of “God-gifted natural resources and human resources”. The Nagas are blessed with physical, mental and spiritual potentialities to grow. All the nations move forward through the spirit of self-reliance in all fields – political, economy, military and in the field of education, the Ato Kilonser said.
Muivah further urged Nagas to be ready to explore all avenues for the generation of revenues to build Naga national economy. “All Nagas unite with one decision, one faith, and one politics on the principle of Nagalim for Christ”, said the NSCN (I-M) leader.