Integration of Nagas a legitimate right, says Raising
NSCN (I-M) kilo kilonser, Rh. Raising on Sunday asserted that “integration of all Naga territories, under one political umbrella is the legitimate right of the Nagas, which no power can stop.”
Speaking as the chief guest on the occasion of ‘70th Naga Independence Day’ at CHQ, Hebron, Raising said “integration of all Naga territories is a natural necessity and not a choice.”
Maintaining that all the nation-states today were built on the concept of “pluralism of sovereignty”, Raising said “shared sovereignty is a matter of mutual agreement founded on the objective reality of national necessity of the two people.”
“Like it or not, India and Nagas are unavoidably interrelated and interdependent,” he added.
He also informed the gathering that solution was at its final phase of negotiation, “ready to enter the last stage of nation building.”
Stating that the era of Nagas had begun, Raising urged upon every Nagas, “without exception, to be politically, mentally, and spiritually prepared for the era “the good lord has given to them.”
Addressing various issues that have cropped up in the ongoing talks with the Government of India (GoI) such as sovereignty and integration of Naga territories, Raising said “Nagas were not asking for sovereignty from India as sovereignty of Nagas belonged to the people”.
He noted that Naga Independence Day was the stamp of Naga nationhood and the legacy of free Nagas which needed to be recognised by the “aggressor” states and the world community as well.
While asserting the ‘oneness’ of Nagas bereft of ‘isms’ and that “no force could kill the living spirit of Nagalim for Christ”, Raising lamented that there were still some people infected by the virus of tribalism and divisionism.
In his concluding remark, Raising asserted that “Nagalim should be built and developed by the Naga politics and run by it, for which, NSCN (I-M) was the standard bearer which nobody should doubt.”
Earlier, Raising unfurled the Naga national flag and took the salute as the Naga army carried out the parade on the occasion.
Also speaking on the occasion, Naga Hoho representative stated that Nagas were truly independent since time immemorial and the celebration was an assertion of the belief that “we will achieve independence”.
Stating that differences were mushrooming within the Naga society, which could sabotage the ongoing talks, he called upon the Naga national workers to work together and bring a lasting solution at the earliest. He also appealed the NPGs not to interfere in the state affairs.
A representative of Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) also spoke on the occasion during which he stated that government of India and Myanmar had deprived Nagas of their legitimate rights for seven decades and it was time for the occupational forces to leave the Nagas alone.
He conveyed that the young generation of Nagas aspire to live as one people and one nation.
United Naga Council (UNC), president called upon the gathering to stand united and also extend support to the collective leadership of the NSCN (I-M) and government of India in the ongoing negotiations.
Nagaland GB Federation president and representative of Naga People Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) also spoke on the occasion.
The celebration saw various colourful cultural presentations by Konyak dance troupe, Phom dance troupe, patriotic cultural song by Liyai Baptist Church. Thousands of people including representatives of various civil societies, communities, dignitaries and people from nearby villages attended the celebrations.
Invocation prayer was pronounced by Rev. D. Heutui, central pastor CNC, vote of thanks by cabinet secretary DG Robert while benediction was delivered by ‘col’ Shem Jajo, head chaplain Naga army.
Nagas have asserted their right without fear: Adinno
Correspondent
KOHIMA, AUG 14 (NPN): Naga National council (NNC) observed the ‘70th Nagaland Independence Day’ at Transit peace camp Kohima, Sunday.
Addressing all rank and files of NNC Naga army, public and others, NNC president Adinno Phizo said that the occasion was a great day for the Naga people in celebrating the 69th anniversary of Nagaland independence declaration to the world on this day, August 14, 1947.
She said it was a blessing that Naga people were always with the course of time in asserting their right without fear. She maintained that throughout the ages, Nagas protected their country and continued till today.
Recalling the history, Adinno said before 1947, Nagas and Indians hardly knew each other, however, with the change in times; the Nagas under the visionary leader of A. Z. Phizo led the Naga representatives and met all the Indian prominent leaders so as to understand each other positions.
Therefore, she said Nagas sought for peace and harmony between Nagaland and India, but India responded with war and brought divide and rule in Nagaland, and continued till today.
Recalling the past suffering, she said Nagas have gone through a horrific time during the war with India (1954- 1964), when the whole nation was “shaken, many suffered, maimed and died and we remember our people who sacrificed for the nation especially on this momentous day”. During those days, Adinno said, the state was self sufficient, “no beggar, people were happy, trusting and honest” and tribalism did not exist unlike the present day.
However, she said all those unwanted elements were started by educated people, who fight for jobs/salary with false pride. She therefore, challenged the Nagas to keep the country safe from evil by returning to our normality.
On the occasion, Gen. (Rtd) Viyalie Metha Kedahge FGN also paid respect and honour to the great leaders, who had pioneered to bring the Nagas together as family and saluted those patriots, who suffered and sacrificed their lives in defence of Naga country.
Metha on behalf of the FGN has also extended gratefulness to all national workers of NNC and the FGN for their dedication and sacrifices, and for steadfastly upholding the Naga national right.
He said for seventy years, Nagas have “endlessly” suffered in the hands of Indian occupational Armed Forces and people who lack integrity were bribed to go against the Government to weaken it.
According to Metha, one of the recent “Indian acts of notoriety” was to force the innocent Naga public to obtain Indian citizenship card called “Adhaar card”, without which our people were denied to avail facilities even on payment for their daily utilities, “whereas, it is voluntary for genuine Indians”.
Unfortunately this cannot make a Naga an Indian or a Mongolian an Aryan, Metha added.
He further claimed that “over the past few years our land has been plagued by extortionist so-called governments of factional groups who made peace agreement with India but peace is not found amongst themselves and with the people”. He therefore wished for “one government for a nation; that is universal truth and biblical truth known to all and every one; perpetrators and propagators of such multiple governments in the land are fooling themselves by trying to fool others”.
To this end, he said FGN was aware and has concern for its people and that it will deal accordingly with diligence.
In conclusion, Metha appealed to those who had done wrong in the past to refrain from repeating.
Metha also unfurled the national flag while patriotic song was presented by the youths of Transit peace camp.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by speaker Tatar Hoho FGN Lhouvitsu, recorded by Maj. Ipuakteung Naga army, bible reading and prayer by Brig. Vephi Dozo head chaplain Naga army and invocation by Thihii Khamo chaplain cum secretary FGN.
Sovereignty reduced to a game of spl economic privileges: GPRN/NSCN
Sovereignty reduced to a game of spl economic privileges: GPRN/NSCN
GPRN/NSCN celebrated the ‘70th Naga Independence Day’ at its headquarters, Khehoi with GPRN/NSCN convenor NPAC Kughalu Mulatonu as the chief guest. In a press note issued by the GPRN/NSCN MIP, it expressed dismay that “Naga people’s aspiration for sovereignty has been reduced to a game of autonomy and special economic privileges.” “The focal view of the much hyped framework agreement” was more of “economic arrangement for a particular section rather that a political solution for all Nagas,” MIP stated.
MIP went on to state that “sane voices of intellectuals, pioneers and actual stakeholders are being drowned by the preposterous and adulatory statements of few sponsored NGOs, civil societies and the Nagaland government.” Stating that “these remote controlled leaders are fomenting future conflict within the Naga family”, MIP said that it was important “that they become servants of Nagaland rather that servants of one faction.” Pointing out that the people of Nagaland had rejected political agreements in the past, which did not have their consent and approval, GPRN/NCN said “let it be reminded that the people wield greater power and authority that the signatories of agreements.”