Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
My dear countrymen,
On this historic national occasion I greet you all in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We are thankful to Him for the bountiful blessings and the never failing guidance and mercy upon us.
This is the day to remember the glory of our history and the national decision our people have taken to free ourselves from the yoke of oppressors and govern our country by ourselves. We are really proud of the historic Naga National Independence Day that was declared on August 14, 1947.
Ironically, India responded with the most brutal unruly armed forces never seen anywhere in the civilized world, But we stayed the course upholding our rights. The world at large is the living witness to the horrible military oppressions and the political plight in Nagalim.
Today we pay homage to our great leaders who have laid down our political foundation and shown us the national salvation line. They are the pillars of our freedom movement and the pioneers of our Naga nation. They made the Naga people understand their inherent sovereign right which is the source of their political inspiration. We will never betray them and the cause dear to the Naga people, but cherish them always in our hearts and minds.
My dear countrymen,
The 1997 ceasefire agreement between the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) and the Government of India (GA is but to prepare the ground for principle-based negotiations and solution. We took the pain and patience in explaining the unique Naga history and the truth of our national issue to the Government of India. It took us five years to make the authorities of India understand on the Naga issue and get the unique history of the Nagas recognized by the Government of India in the year 2002. This is a milestone achievement in the Indo-Naga political talks. It took us another 13 years of gruelling negotiations which has resulted in signing the historic Framework Agreement on the 3rd August, 2015. Our political identity as a sovereign people is well recognized and protected by this agreement. But in the years that followed, the Government of India started to fiddle with what has been agreed upon. Today the fate of the Framework Agreement hangs in balance as the commitment of the Government of India fluctuates wildly every now and then.
My dear countrymen,
The world at large is keenly watching how India handles the Framework Agreement because it has something to do with the high sounding speech of the Indian Prime Minister Mr.Narendra Modi and how he proclaimed before the world that he had solved the longest insurgency problem in Southeast Asia. However, the hard fact remains that the politics of “hypocrisy and flattery” is raising its ugly heads again as the Government of India is only looking for an escape route to dilute the political significance of the Framework Agreement.
My dear countrymen,
We have made our stand very loud and clear to the Government of India on the issue of the Naga flag and constitution which are indispensable and inviolable parts of the recognized sovereignty and unique history of the Nagas. And the way to handle any situation that might arise has been well defined in no uncertain term during the 315’ May, 2022 Emergency National Assembly when we took the stand before God and before the Naga people that NSCN will uphold and protect the unique Naga history and the Naga National principle at any cost. We are now simply waiting how the Government of India will pick up the threads of the Indo-Naga political talks with correct narrative and not for its own convenience.
My dear countrymen,
The absurdity of the situation regarding Indo-Naga political talks is therefore, entirely the making of the Government of India as its commitment to the Framework Agreement turned unsavoury with each passing days. All the way it is only ‘all bluff and bluster’. No seriousness! This led us to the fact that the Government of India is planning clandestinely to strike the Nagas with all its state machinery. Thus, there is trust deficit on the part of the Government of India.
What is to be done in the event of failure of talks? We have to work out survival strategy. We must live and that this final show down must be a battle to decide our future. The fight is going to be tough, but it is to be noted that ours is not a contest of strength, it is a matter of right and wrong, just and unjust. Therefore, the truth shall triumph in the long run.
Notwithstanding the callous manner of handling the Naga issue by the Government of India, we have carried the talks forward with total commitment and conviction, because no sacrifice is too great when it comes to defending the historical and political rights of the Nagas. Let us therefore keep our spirits high and never allow despair to overcome us, because the deciding factor for solution is in our total faith in the sovereign God and our national issue.
Significantly, it is for the Government of India to put its acts together and get back the lost ground. The ball is, therefore, in the court of India.
Kuknalim!
Q. Tuccu
Gen. (Retd.) M.B. Neokpao Konyak, President, GPRN/NSCN Naga Unification Camp, Khehoyi
“…But as for me and my household, we shall serve the Lord” Joshua 25:15.
Dear comrades, friends, Naga well-wishers, ladies and gentlemen. I convey my profound revolutionary greetings to everyone who have assisted, contributed, in positive words and action, toward the greater good of our common cause. I acknowledge the ever unforgettable Naga patriots who are no more with us today, having given their lives and completing their tasks for the Naga nation. God bless their offspring!
I sincerely applaud the Naga tribal Hohos, the village headmen and elders, the Churches and peace oriented Civil societies and organizations who have upheld the unresolved Naga issue in their thoughts and prayers.
The Naga Republic day is a celebration of each citizen’s responsibility in nation building. The power and authority, directly or indirectly, is in the hands of the Naga people. GPRN/NSCN under the leadership of President Gen. (Rtd.) M.B. Neokpao Konyak and Ato Kilonser N. Kitovi Zhimomi have expounded the republican ideals inherited from the past leaders. We will never deviate from this principle. Every Naga national worker, senior or junior, have equal responsibility to take forward the idea of Naga republic as was envisaged by the Naga pioneers.
Naga Republic day symbolizes maturity of our struggle, cohesiveness of our people, uncompromising goal and vision for our common future. We believe that Government of India (GOI), in the course of political talks with Working Committtee (WC), Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs), have clearer understanding of the Indo-Naga political problem in its correct perspective.
I urge the current dispensation at Kohima, headed by Nagaland state Chief Minister, to shift focus from electoral politics to facilitating and resolving the Indo-Naga political problem. Rampant extortion and corruption in our social, political and economic spheres is the Achilles’ heel of the Naga people. Solution to Indo-Naga problem is the only answer to the perennial burden on the people. I remind the Naga public and leaders at all level to seriously pursue and assist in salvaging our history and identity as facilitators and stakeholders.
The GOI must seriously realize the long term danger of harboring and legitimizing the mushrooming obstructive elements forming new groups. The wayward, unprincipled wealth diggers, status and position addicts do not auger well for either GOI or Nagas because their sole aim is to garner wealth by any means and stay relevant. Politically immature and unproven, restless leaders cannot convince the Naga people on the
Naga political front. Creating fear psychosis through arms and burdening the public is a crime.
The AGREED POSITION and negotiated status papers are a sacred political documents widely known and accepted by all Nagas. The hard work of GOI interlocutors, representatives and Convener and Co-Conveners of WC, NNPGs have earned the appreciation of the Naga people. I am hopeful that GOI and WC, NNPGs will not be distracted by activities of defectors and opportunists desiring to be noticed through threats and intimidations against politicians, contractors, traders and commercial outlets in Nagaland.
I appeal to the apex Naga tribal bodies, the Village Headmen and elders, the Churches, the concerned Civil societies and common citizens to not stay silent on the primary task of resolutely standing for honorable and acceptable solution to the Indo-Naga political problem. As we celebrate our Republic Day, we owe it to our forefathers, the fallen patriots. We owe it to our children and our grandchildren and those after them. They deserve a better future!
GOD BLESS NAGALAND!
Akato Chophi, President NSCN/GPRN
Friends, Nagas, Comrades and Compatriots.
First and foremost of all, my ‘Revolutionary Salute’ to one and all on this auspicious occasion, the 44th Naga Republic Day. The Naga History and its cause has been handed down to us from generation to generation, from fathers to sons, from predecessors to successors, from oral history to documentations, books, texts, records, events etc. Yet it will seem unfair if the contributions made by our founding fathers are left in the back burner, but which needs to be appreciated and acknowledged and to also serve as a reminder to this contemporary age of young upcoming generations.
The commendable but selfless acts and extreme sacrifices made by our pioneers and visionary leaders that took shape on this very day, the 21st of March 1980 under the banner and flagship of NSCN, cannot be ignored but need to retrospect and be recognised with due honour. The legacy of this benchmark left by our pioneers also did prove to be a stepping stone for future posterity, that as a result reignited and rejuvenated the spirit of nationalism and patriotism. The fact is, Nagas are generally known for bravery and chivalry, yet simple natured. A proud race, yet naive and gullible people and who were unfortunately coaxed and coerced, into empty pep talks of nothing but just empty vessels of political rhetorics. The Nagas were made believe and lured into the era of doom by certain malicious masterminds, under the guise of sugar coated appeasement policies, which in reality were actually insidious schemes. Thus, in these whirlpool of confusions, chaos and fuss created by the brainchild of our adversaries, the opportunist minds, right away jumped into the fray of the political mess and unrest and who blatantly took advantage of the situation and forged weapons of political ‘Whiplash’ to counter and subdue the Nagas. As unfortunate as it seems, many Nagas (including few opportunistic leaders) were bedazzled into these obnoxious political hypnotism with diabolic designs which slowly but gradually began to breed inside Naga society from both outside and within, pushing Naga’s rights over the horizon to be nearly damned into obscurity and oblivion. However, the intrinsic intellect of some of our visionary leaders and perhaps even backed and guided by the instinctive ‘Divine Intervention’ were able to smell a rat, and were positive that ‘All Is Certainly Not Well’ in the aura of air, that was literally polluted with the foul stench of subversive forces coming into play, and who were hell bent to derail the Naga Political Journey and hold the Naga issue and the Naga people at ransom. This, as a result instigated, constrained and compelled, yet propelled our leaders to take necessary steps and create a launching pad to take this mighty leap, to counter and to defend our legitimate rights. Notwithstanding, I too, on behalf of my Government, proudly take advantage of this privilege, in bringing you greetings and good tidings of our Political endeavours.
I also appreciate and acknowledge each and every individuals, be it Nagas or non Nagas, sympathizers or friends, my peers or my brothers-in-arms, for the sacrifices, prayers, supports and solidarity, and all those of you who had contributed in your own individual potential capabilities.
On this day, let us feel grateful and appreciate all those veterans who are now honourably retired from National service and those few who are still serving, voluntarily. Let us also pay our richest tribute to all our fallen heroes, who from since day one, had struggled, suffered and faced trials and tribulations and who went down fighting and paid with their own precious lives for the people’s cause. We also remember, honour and pay homage to all those Naga warriors and defenders of Naga homeland, and with my deepest respect and humble self, I hail and glorify the honour of our legendary pioneers (both living or departed), our pathfinders our torchbearers, our forerunners, and our “UNSUNG HEROES AND WARRIORS” for your unfathomable chivalry, valour, courage and undaunted selfless services for the Nations. Having said all, the issue of the protracted Naga imbroglio is neither of social cause, nor economic, nor military, nor religious, but purely ‘Political’ in nature and as such, if any solution, that is acceptable and honourable to all is to be achieved or arrived at (sooner than later), it can be facilitated, addressed and hammered out only through the ‘Political Pathway’ and none other. Last, but not the least, I beseech and call upon my fellow Countrymen and women to remain grateful and wait upon the Lord in prayers and anticipation to pave us ways for the enlightenment of the Naga’s quest for peace and stability.
KUKNALIM
GOD BLESS THE NAGAS
Gen (Rtd) Thinoselie M Keyho, President, NNC
Nagas are one, with one goal, one passion, one Flag, one Constitution, one people and one Nation. Together, definitely we can overcome the occupational illegal forces of nefarious oppression. We are a free people, and we shall never surrender our freedom to any nation at the cost of blood money or puppet positions of a foreign state. Nagas are not Indians, they shall never be Indians and the Nagas have nothing to do with the new Independent India. The Nagas are highly despised and discriminated by the Hindus because of our beef and likewise we are despised by the Muslims because of our pork as was truthfully stated in the Naga Club Memorandum of 1929. We are frowned upon and despised as some lower caste of Indian societies that we were never a part of and never wish to be. We have never asked to be a part of the Indian Union to be ruled and governed by the Constitution of India, nor intend to partake in any pagan philosophy of India neither by consent nor by coercion, nor be a part of an oppressive ideology of India that treats its own citizens with a discriminatory and derogatory caste system of human classification and oppression.
The expression of our political freedom had started much before the 16th century, whereby we collected huge yearly tributes from the neighboring kingdoms as a sign of our sovereignty and supremacy over them, and in the failure of timely payment of tributes as per our terms and conditions, the Nagas took punitive measures against those nationalities by plundering their communities resulting in heavy loss of lives and property of many of their people. Alexander Mackenzie in his book ‘History of the Relations of the Government with the Hill Tribes of the North-East Frontier of Bengal’ writes, “In 1851, no fewer than 22 Naga raids were reported, in which 35 persons were killed, 10 wounded and 113 taken captives. From 1854-1865 there had been 19 Angami raids in which 232 British subjects had been killed, wounded and carried off and these losses have occurred when a chain of outposts was in existence from Barapathar to Assalo.” On 10th Jan, 1929, the Naga Club on behalf of the Nagas declared and put on record, “Leave us alone to determine for ourselves for sovereignty as in ancient times”. Subsequently, the British Parliament under a Govt. of British India Empire Notification declared the Naga inhabited areas as NAGA EXCLUDED AREA in 1935 outside of the British India Empire.
The first and the second Indian General Elections were rejected by the Nagas in toto. However, the betrayal by the so-called 16 Point Agreement took place deceitfully, committed by a section of the avaricious Naga people and the analogous infamous surrendering Shillong Accord was signed by the Representatives of Underground Organizations (RUO) accepting the Indian Constitution albeit under duress. These are acts of treason against the Naga nation, deviating from the 1951 Plebiscite, and should never be repeated. The Nagas shall unwaveringly stand forever on the Plebiscite of 1951 whereby 99.9% of the Naga people voted in favor of Naga sovereignty and the Naga National Council (NNC), The Naga Political Movement cannot be categorized as a secessionist movement because of its unchallengeable political history. God has blessed us with the Naga Nation and we are the custodians to defend its existence and upkeep to glorify God just as the Israelites do to defend their God given Promised Land, the nation
of Israel. To have a vital written public document before the ‘International community’, we had put on record our existence as a free and sovereign people through the Simon Comission of 1929, and also later on formally declared our Naga Independence on 14th Aug, 1947, a full day before the new independent India. Our unwillingness to be under the rule of any other country is again demonstrated by the Naga plebiscite of 1951. We stand by the 1951 Plebiscite and we all remain united under the Plebiscite. Nagaland is an undisputed land of our Naga Nation, and the birth right of our freedom is not for sale. Our oppressors have tortured, maimed, killed us, violated our women and children by the most depraved and perverted inhuman Indian army, desecrated our land and our churches, amongst many other crimes against humanity. They may kill and take our lives, but they can never kill the idea and the spirit of our Naga Nation.
We must be cautious not to blindly follow the purchased marionette leaders who are misleading the people to surrender into an Indian bandwagon, which is an act of treason and a heinous crime against the Naga soul. Some have been going to Delhi with charter of demands on the pretext of a Naga political solution while keeping the public in the dark of the talks. We cannot remain in bondage of India’s carrot and stick politics. Let us be citizens worthy of the Naga Nation. Loyalty to ones country is an act of patriotism that gives purpose to one’s life towards one’s country. Only when we are a patriotic citizen then can we look with promise towards a future with honor, pride, dignity and hope of a bright future without regrets. We are wonderfully created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, to live with dignity and integrity in the image of God and to live by the sweat of our own brow is the true meaning of life. As honorable and patriotic Naga citizens, we cannot behave like leeches sucking the money of the Hindus and Muslims of India, more so through corrupt means that would incur the wrath and the curse of our Almighty God. If we envision a dream of a Naga Nation with positivity, it must begin with love for our own country and people and be willing to pay the price of patriotism at all costs. Let us strive to lead a life of independence in the same footsteps of our legendary erudite forefathers. We must be strong and courageous for our God will not forsake us and we shall be successful and prosperous in all our endeavors.
We must stop waiting for things to happen, but rather unite to make things happen. Let nobody divide the Nagas further. The solution to the Naga Political struggle shall neither come from our military might nor shall it depend on the size of our population or the size of our land. But the solution will come from the facts of our unquestionable and unchallengeable legitimate rights and it is this truth that will set us free under the watchful guidance of our Almighty God. We love freedom, democracy, non-violence and liberty. We are not asking for Independence from India. We only ask the unsolicited Indian occupationary forces to leave our land so that we may be free from oppression and that freedom reigns and enable us to exist as friendly nations as each others neighbor in a civilized world.
KUKNALIM