Information & Public Relations, Soil & Water Conservation adviser Imkong L. Imchen said Nagas are fed up with the AK 47 culture and that every Naga has the right to live in peace.
While extending Moatsü greetings, at the festival celebration organised by Ongpangkong Senso Telongjem Dimapur at Senden Riju here on Tuesday, Imchen lamented that people have been held for the past 26 years to the AK 47 and today are demanding to know the status of 26 years of political negotiations. He reiterated that every Naga has the right to know the truth about the negotiations since they were also stakeholders.
Imchen recalled that the Naga National Council (NNC) and Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) were functioning together, but after Phizo had left for London, Nagas started killing each other.
He claimed that then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had in 1954, admitted to the error he had made by using armed forces to suppress the Naga movement. Thereafter, Imchen said Nehru tried to seek solution politically, admitting that a military solution was not possible. He also admitted that had Nagaland not been created as a state, the condition of Naga homeland would have been worse.
Referring to the Shillong Accord, Imchen termed it as nothing but a simple document of defeat and betrayal which led to the birth of NSCN. Later NSCN split into many groups, and termed it as an embarrassment for the integrity of Nagas.
On the issue tribalism among Nagas, Imchen regretted that Nagas were practising tribalism openly and wondered what would be their fate if they achieved independence. Under such a scenario, Imchen predicted that if Nagas got independence but tribalism remained, there would be bloodshed. He said in such a situation, could force Nagas to ask the Indian government to take back Independence. He questioned, “Why should we ask for independence when there is tribalism?” Imchen also admitted that his statement would be contradicted and that he would be even termed as a “traitor”.
Aos need to introspect, says Moatoshi: In his speech on the occasion, Adviser Labour, Employment & Skill Development and Excise adviser Moatoshi Longkümer observed that the Aos could no longer be considered as the most advanced tribe and urged Aos to introspect where they now stood in comparison with others.
He remarked that Aos today lagged behind others in many fields, including education, economy, government service, entrepreneurship, etc. He said the chief reasons as being greed and jealousy.
Moatoshi also said the presence of many organisation within the community only led to create further divisions. He exhorted the Aos leaders to restore the past glory and urged Ongpangkong range to lead the community.
Truth famine: Dr Jamir
Delivering a short speech, former chief minister and governor Dr SC Jamir observed that Nagas were living at a time where it was “very difficult to speak the truth”. He said in the past, Nagas spoke 100% truth but today only spoke 33% for women reservation in ULBs.
He appealed all Nagas to walk towards light instead of roaming in the darkness.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Imnatemsü Pongen and Alisüngla Jamir, invocation offered by DABA associate pastor Rev Dr L. Lima Jamir and welcome address given by OSTD president Imosong Imsong.
Moatsü greetings were also shared by Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD) president Meren Nokpu, while meaning of Moatsü festival was explained by I Imti Imsong. Deputy Commissioner Dimapur Sachin Jaiswal also gave a short message.
Vote of thanks was delivered by Moatsü Planning Committee convener Repang Longkümer and benediction offered by Naga United Ao Baptist Church pastor Sadem Lemdor.
Highlights of the programme included traditional songs and dances by Ongpangkongtsür Telongjem Dimapur, Dimapur Chungtia Senso Telongjem, Longsa Senso Telongjem Dimapur, Khensa Senso Telongjem Dimapur, Dimapur Longkhüm Senso Telongjem and Ungma Senso Telongjem Dimapur. A special number was presented by Tiameren Aier.
Urban Local Body issue: Dr Jamir calls for considering Nagaland’s peculiar situation
Staff Reporter
Veteran Naga leader and former chief minister Dr SC Jamir claimed that as the Central government recognised the peculiar political situation and identity of Nagas, in return, there was need for applying the same yardstick vis-à-vis urban local bodies (ULBs).
Interacting with media persons on the sidelines of Moatsü festival here on Tuesday, Dr Jamir urged the State government to share the peculiar issues of Nagaland Supreme Court at the ongoing case over ULB polls.
He said Nagaland cannot have a carbon copy model of other big States so appealed to the State government and all concerned to work out a ULB model befitting Nagaland.
“We have to think about population, resources and the kind of development we require in respective urban areas. That’s why I had made an appeal. But, if the people don’t want to listen, it is up to them, but that was my personal view on ULB,” he said.
Dr. Jamir also clarified that his recent statement on various issues was to point out the facts and not to criticize. He said that even when he was the chief minister, he took criticisms as “vitamin” which only strengthened him. “Once you are corrected, you have to accept it,” he pointed out and appealed to all leaders to take criticisms in good faith.
The nonagenarian (91-year-old) and only surviving signatory to the 16- Point Agreement, reminded that Nagaland attained statehood through political negotiations since it had distinct political identity. After signing of the 16-Point Agreement, he said the question arose on the number of Assembly constituencies.
He recalled that since the population of Nagaland at the time of its creation was only 3.5 lakh, a separate arrangement had to be made.
He said by looking into provisions of Article 170 of the Constitution of India, Nagaland now had 60 Assembly constituencies.
He clarified that the number of Assembly constituencies was not based on area or population, but because of the very peculiar political situation that the State faced. Owing to this, he said the number of seats had to be adjusted as per the constitutional provision of having the minimum number of constituencies at 60.
On oil exploration, Dr Jamir said that since negotiations between the Centre and Naga political groups were on and agreement already being worked out and agreed upon, why not wait for the final political settlement because it was related to that.
He declared that the political settlement would enable Nagaland to draw a clear line and so wondered why a proportion of oil should be shared between Assam and Nagaland in the disputed areas.
He wished that the State government had a “little patience” and wait for the final settlement of the Naga political issue so that a system could be worked out. Under such a system both Assam and Nagaland could have their own oilfields. He said the kind of revenue sharing agreement as proposed between the two states was questionable.
On the boundary issue, Jamir pointed out that the 16-Point Agreement was very specific about the boundary agreement, transfer of forests and land, adding that the matter was still pending before the Centre.