While, rebuking NSCN (I-M) for opposing Registration of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland, WC, NNPGs also alleged that the eight Manipur Naga MLAs and UNC are all remote controlled by NSCN (I-M) and have “colluded and sold Naga integration formula to Kuki people and now Kuki MLAs are demanding from Government of India (Gol) a completely separate political administration for Kukis”.
By Imna Lonchar, TFM Nagaland Correspondent
In an apparent display of discord within the Naga conglomerate, the Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) have severely criticized the National Socialist Council of Nagalim or the NSCN (I-M) for selling Naga integration formula to Kuki people and opposing Registration of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN).
In a statement, WC, NNPGs stated, “Manipur Nagas in IM are not letting Nagaland state government count the number of babies born since Nagaland attained statehood! In a simplest way this is how opposition to Registration of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) can be described. An insult to the people of Nagaland really. It is as though they co-own the CM chair and most of Cabinet chairs”.
The WC, NNPGs while asking who is running the government said that on 23/08/23 at a regional authority meeting of IM members, Manipur Naga leaders expressed their opposition to RIIN and termed it as acting against social political interest of Nagas. The committee said NSCN (I-M) will not allow the implementation RIIN.
“Such intrusive statements destroy people to people bonding. The audacity of non-indigenous Nagas sheltering in Nagaland for few decades, uttering a word against RIIN implementation is not their business. It is against Naga tradition to comment on another family or clan’s decision on land and membership”, said WC, NNPGs.
The committee has also reiterated that irrespective of factional affiliations, artificial boundary or ideologies, it is very clear that all Nagas are one by stock, race, early history and cultural identity. In the interim, however, all Naga tribes and communities, be it in Myanmar, Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam must have clear-cut understanding and perspective towards necessary social, cultural, historical and geographical dynamics of different Naga tribes scattered into different states, added the committee.
WC, NNPGs stated that the “existence of artificial boundaries and different political and administrative areas, at this point of our existence, is a fact. Manipulation and destruction of social bonding will end emotional brotherhood”.
“Such intrusive statements destroy people to people bonding. The audacity of non-indigenous Nagas sheltering in Nagaland for few decades, uttering a word against RIIN implementation is not their business. It is against Naga tradition to comment on another family or clan’s decision on land and membership. Let them question their own 8 Manipur Naga MLAs demanding NRC along with the Meiteis. On 9™ August 2023, forty Meitei and 8 Naga legislators of Manipur wrote to Prime Minister of India seeking, besides others, strengthening of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in Manipur and Hill Area Councils (HACs). Thus, letter to the Indian PM has buried Naga integration, along with it a host of other superficial demands”, pointed out WC, NNPGs.
While stating that the NSCN (I-M) leaders can handle Manipur Naga problem, added that “Nagaland can take care of itself. Nagas in Myanmar, Arunachal, Assam and Nagaland do not object to the demand of Manipur Nagas because they are the masters over their land. Anything good for Nagas in Manipur or anywhere, WC, NNPGs will extend all support and solidarity. The same courtesy is expected, stated WC, NNPGs.
“Strikingly, the abject slave mentality and yes-men mindset of indigenous Nagaland Nagas within NSCN IM fold is truly perplexing. On 14th January 2023, the NSCN IM Chairman, Inno Q. Tuccu and Vice Chairman, Inno Tongmeth Wangnao met WC, NNPGs under the aegis of Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR). The two leaders and WC, NNPGs Convener N. Kitovi Zhimomi signed a joint declaration, “NAGAS ARE MOVING AHEAD”, announcing to collectorate basing on respective agreements, This was a follow-up of September 14, 2022, “SEPTEMBER CONCORDANT” declaration to form, “COUNCIL OF NAGA RELATIONSHIPS AND CO-OPERATION”. Shockingly, on 18th January 2023, the propaganda ministry declared the signed declaration of its Chairman and Vice Chairman as null and void as they recognized only FA and no other agreement. They took out the document from historical file and threw straight into the dust bin! Where in the world do one find a government’s ministry overruling the president and vice President’s signed political document with other entities?” asked WC, NNPGs.
WC, NNPGs also pointed out few points Naga people must take note of as to why “Naga integration is a gimmick”. The points are as follows:
1. “As per Media statement On 13th June, 2023, the Federation of Haomee (Tangkhul Elders) resolved to retrace Tangkhul-Meitei ancestral ties; to jointly defend the territorial integrity of Manipur state at all cost. These sort of inter community meetings having historical and cultural interest would never be held without the consent of Manipur Nagas in Hebron camp. This is treachery to the common objective yet no statement of substance. There was clear understanding by all parties.
2. On July 10th, 2023, five persons including an IM official was arrested while transporting stolen Nagaland police arms and ammo to Manipur. How many un-intercepted vehicles have made their way to Manipur? The arrested accused is a mere sub-inspector who cannot be more than an armoury key keeper. Who are the higher ranked police officers involved in this heinous crime of looting government arms?
3. In a recent viral video, an IM cadre confessed to being a part of a group assigned to transport arms and ammunition to Meiteis and also fight alongside PREPAK against another community. A subsequent dismissal video was made but the overall structural policy was unmistakable.
4. The 8 elected Manipuri Naga MLAs along with 28 Meitei MLAs in their 9th August written appeal to the Indian Prime Minister had sought implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur including Naga districts. The camaraderie between UNC and COCOMI is being forged out of common hatred for Kukis. Here the UNC has lost the plot. It signals the death and burial of separate political administration for Nagas in Manipur, let alone integration with Nagaland state. UNC and 8 Naga MLAs have simply spelled out “WE DO NOT WANT NAGA INTEGRATION”.
WC, NNPGs also alleged that the eight Manipur Naga MLAs and UNC are all remote controlled by NSCN (I-M) and have “colluded and sold Naga integration formula to Kuki people and now Kuki MLAs are demanding from Government of India (Gol) a completely separate political administration for Kukis”.