“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”, said Deputy Kilonser Lieut General (Retd) of the NSCN (IM), VS Atem
By Imna Longchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
Deputy Kilonser Lieut General (Retd) of the NSCN (IM), VS Atem on Wednesday said that it was on the day, August 14, 1947, when Naga Independence Day was declared, and a history being created.
Speaking on behalf of the NSCN (IM) Ato Kilonser, Th Muivah, who earlier hoisted the Naga National Flag, at the NSCN (IM) council headquarters, Hebron, as part of the 78th Independence Day celebration, said that 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 said Atem while also stating that the declaration was 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 “Recognizing that the peoples of the world ardently desire the end of colonialism in all its manifestations”, he maintained.
In keeping with the spirit of UN Charter with sovereign equality of states, it was cabled to the Secretary General of United Nations which was also readout that to put on record that Nagas will be independent and that discussions with India are being carried on to that effect that the Nagas do not accept the Indian Constitution.
Stating that the rights of the Nagas must prevail regardless of size while emphasizing that the 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, he added that he was proud to admit that in pursuit of freedom, the Nagas have not faulted in any manner that contravenes international law which according to him is on record.
Citing that the Nagas are peace loving people and have always followed peaceful process to have its sovereign rights respected and honoured, he also mentioned that the Nagas are sovereign nation since time immemorial as its great freedom fighters awakened themselves as a people and as a nation to stand up for their rights and assert their independence through nonviolence, resistance, and civil disobedience movement, which today had the 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”.
“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,” VS Atem extracted from the speech of the Ato Kilonser which he termed it as a milestone achievement of Indo-Naga political dialogue as the sovereign right of the Naga people was recognized after more than seven decades of Naga political struggle.
He went on to add that when the NSCN (IM) signed the “Framework Agreement”, it had taken much thought for the future security of the Naga people lest it commit another mistake by stating that the 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,” he said.
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, 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.
Atem also acknowledged the contributions and forbearance of the Naga people during the course of the movement and cited that it was what it counts the most as it had to serve one another to safeguard the political and national identity of the Nagas under any adverse situation.
Adding that all had put in a lot of “blood, sweat and tears” to defend Nagas political rights, the NSCN (IM) leader has also addressed that it has also paid heavy price for the love of Nagas’ freedom while mentioning that everyone have to make personal sacrifice for the common good as “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.”
Thanking the Almighty for giving many friends and sympathizers both in India and abroad who according to him are the people who understand and respect the legitimacy of Naga issue, VS Atem also furthered that for the reason the NSCN (IM) has established strong footholds in international organizations including the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) and others across the world.
He also added that the government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) signed the historic Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015, where the world came to know better about the political rights of the Naga nation which he termed it not just an ordinary event of history but the whole process of signing ceremony was live broadcasted and given the status of a high-profile political solemnity, and the world was made to watch to bear witness.
Importantly, he said that the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, led the massing of applauding throngs from his government which 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”, Atem maintained.
“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”, he said.
Referring that Naga 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, he also questioned 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.
The programme conducted by S Moses Ramai, and Evali Chishi Swu, joint secretary, and deputy secretary respectively was blessed with an invocation prayer by vice-president, CNC, Arshing Sankhil, guard of honour was led by the CFTHq Naga Army, martyrs’ prayer was initiated by the head chaplain, Naga Army, Col Pitovi L Kive-MSM, while the rank declaration was initiated by Keya Secretary, Turhuchu Eko, followed by a patriotic song by Kevigweno Krose, Lunkingbou Niumai, and Gaily Trakha.
Short speeches were also delivered by the representatives from the Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers’ Association, Global Naga Forum, United Naga Council, Tirap Changlang Longding People’s Forum, Eastern Naga Students’ Association, Naga Student’s Federation.