NSCN(I-M) has been holding consultative meetings at various regions within and beyond Nagaland, to reaffirm its commitment to the Naga political cause and Framework Agreement signed on August 3,2015 with the government of India as the only basis for Naga political solution.
With regard to Naga political solution, NSCN (I-M) member collective leadership Kraibo Chawang, termed Article 371(A) as a “roadblock to Naga political solution” on the ground that this Act which was “incorporated in Indian Constitution, is only going to give diminishing return to the Nagas which in real sense of the term means loss of Naga’s nationality and political identity as a people and as a nation.”
Kraibo said this while addressing the consultative meeting with Chakhesang region at Zhavame on October 10, also joined by Chakhesang civil society organisations (CSOs), and representative of Naga Students’ Federation (NSF).
Kraibo asserted that identity and land were inseparable because it was the land that gave Nagas political identity as a nation for which they fought for.
It was no wonder that Nagas had fought for more than 75 years at the cost of many precious lives and loss of properties he said.
Kraibo also said NSCN knew exactly what spearheading the Naga political movement was all about, under the leadership of chosen leaders, who were never confused.
He appealed to the Chakhesang people not to be confused about what NSCN was doing for the Naga political issue.
“We have come to you to understand together our historical root and political rights, and the critical need to understand our identity based on Naga people’s historical and political rights,” Kraibo stated
He reminded the Chakhesang people that in the history of Naga political movement, the syndrome of “something is better than nothing” resulted in terrible damage to the political rights of the Nagas. He cautioned that this syndrome was still getting repeated at the hands of treacherous people deceitfully shouting for Naga solution.
He said the “so-called 16 Point Agreement and Shillong Accord” were condemned for being under the Indian constitution. He said these were the result of those Nagas carried away by the syndrome of “something is better than nothing”.
Kraibo pointed out that the stand taken by NSCN was “nothing is better than nonsense”.
He assured that the NSCN would not betray the Nagas by “making nonsense agreement with the Government of India by accepting the Indian constitution”, but will keep on defending what God had given to the Nagas.
Quoting from the Bible: “Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Mathew 5:9), Kraibo said Church leaders played the role of peacemakers but went against the historical and political rights of the Nagas. Kraibo said church leaders in the name of being peace-makers, instead committed the worst treachery as recorded in the chequered history of Nagas.
He said Church leaders who played the crucial role in organising the Peace Committee and the Naga People’s Convention (NPC) simply ended up as “killing mission” that betrayed the Nagas.
Quoting the verse Matthew 5:10 – “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”, Kraibo maintained that the NSCN had never given up fighting for what was right for the Nagas under the banner of “Nagaland for Christ” and was waiting for the fruition under the Framework Agreement while going through tormenting period.
On the ethnic conflict between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo, he clarified that the NSCN had stood firmly neutral, and which was even acknowledged by the Central government as “gentleman’s stand”.
Also addressing the meeting, ‘Lt. gen.’ (Retd) VS Atem, vice-chairperson and member of the collective leadership, recalled how Nagas defended and stood the ground for their historical and political rights. Atem said after the Nagas under NNC declared Naga independence on August 14, 1947, Nagas had never wavered. Even when all the princely states joined the Union of India, including the Lushai and Khasi-Jaintia, Atem said Nagas refused to join the Indian union.
Government of India representatives had even reached Kohima to persuade the Nagas to join the Union of India, but the Nagas stood firm by their independent identity. Atem noted that this was the unique history of the Nagas which India also recognised and acknowledged in formal declaration.
He said taking cognisance of the political rights of the Nagas, then Prime Minister Narasimha Rao initiated the move to start political dialogue with the NSCN.
Atem contended that when the “Indo-Naga political” talks led to signing the historic Framework Agreement, it meant according recognition to the sovereign rights of the Nagas.
He also pointed out that what exactly paved the way for the Framework Agreement was NSCN’s commitment to understand the Centre’s security issue if the latter understood and accepted the Nagas’ political rights. This was the crux of the Indo-Naga political talks and how details were being worked out (Competencies) for mutual win-win situation for both the parties, he said.
Highlighting what transpired during the Indo-Naga political talks on the core issue of flag and constitution, Atem alleged that the Central government had tried to evade accepting these two crucial issues. However, Atem said NSCN talked tough on Framework Agreement that it could never be separated from flag and constitution as sovereign rights of the Nagas having been recognized under Framework Agreement. Significantly, Naga flag and constitution symbolised the sovereign Naga nation like any other nation around the world he added.
Atem stated that the Centre had a mistaken concept that anything offered was good for the Nagas. However, NSCN stood up to show that Nagas could not be fooled to repeat the flattery of the past.
On the political status of Manipur’s merger agreement with India vis-à-vis the Nagas, Atem pointed out that the agreement that covered only 700 sq miles had nothing to do with the Nagas areas. It was just a matter of force that Naga areas were made to be part of Manipur, he said.
Kilo kilonser Kewe Mero, in his welcome address, highlighted the consultative meeting’s theme “The awareness on the Indo-Naga political talks” from correct perspective and also about what should be known on the ongoing ethnic violence between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo.
In his short speech, education kilonser Jongpongsashi Longkumer said there was a critical need to bring awareness and identify who were the bona fide national workers giving their heart and soul, while never giving up the spirit of sacrifice for the Naga political cause.
Zhehoto Awomi, kilonser, in his short speech, said it was a matter of pride that the NSCN had brought the historic Indo-Naga ceasefire and the Framework Agreement, another historic landmark in the Indo-Naga political issue. He said it was for the world to testify who had carried forward the Naga political issue and how the NSCN shouldered the Naga political movement without succumbing to any situation and pressure, but standing upright for Naga’s political rights.
According to MIP, the meeting concluded with NSCN leaders presenting narratives on Framework Agreement, unique history and Naga unification issue how NNPGs undid everything as they refused to part with their own treasury to be made part of “One government, one tax. Thus, MIP said the NSCN leaders had left no stone unturned to clear the way forward by doing away with anything that confused the Nagas. NSCN (I-M) MIP said that Zhavame Village Council (ZVC) proved a generous host extending traditional hospitality to its dignitaries and other CSO leaders.