Various Naga political groups (NPGs) celebrated the “Naga Independence Day” with patriotic fervour at their respective headquarters and designated camps on Monday.
Nagas are a sovereign people, says Muivah: NSCN (I-M) ato kilonser Th. Muivah addressing the “77th Independence Day” celebration at CHQ Hebron, asserted that Nagas are a sovereign people, who have been living in their own land from time immemorial.
Stating that Nagas were not begging for a piece of land from others, ato kilonser said Nagas have every right to build their own nation-state in their land. “They must decide their future by themselves. And that should not be viewed as an aggression on the right of others,” Muivah said.
He said that Naga national resistance movement was all about defending the inherent sovereign right of the Nagas and their land.
On the issue of integration of all Naga areas, Th. Muivah maintained that the Government of India has “officially acknowledged that it is the legitimate right of the Nagas” and therefore, he said it would be finalised accordingly. NSCN (I-M) ato kilonser also reiterated that flag and constitution were naturally inseparable from the sovereignty of a people. “It is universally an accepted truth that flag and constitution are constituent parts of sovereignty,” he said.
Lamkang calls for unity: Niki-led NSCN ato kilonser, Starson Lamkang, maintained that he did not foresee Nagas achieving solution unless they unite and therefore called upon the Naga political groups to ponder over it deeply.
Speaking as chief guest at the “77th Naga Independence Day” celebration at Cease Fire Supervisory Board (CFSB) office, Padumpukhuri, Dimapur, Starson Lamkang, stated that in addition to the insincerity of government of India, disunity amongst the Nagas was a stumbling block to the solution.
Stating political dialogue was not a new topic, which has been going on for years, Lamkang appealed to the NPGs “not to fool Nagas” on achieving solution.Asking the Nagas to ponder over the presence of multiple Naga political groups, he said that tribalism and clanism led to eruption of multiple factions and disunity amongst Nagas.
Further, Lamkang lamented that Naga movement has been taken up as business, which he said was one of the reasons why many factions have erupted.
Lamkang also lamented that civil society organisations (CSOs) have also started working as business. He claimed that present Naga Hoho (NH) and Naga Mother Association (NMA) were not as strong as they used to be. He observed that if Nagas wanted to be one, then NH and NMA should be reformed.
He also appealed to Church leaders to have the courage to speak the truth and voice out against any wrongdoings of the national workers.
Lamkang clarified that the group was neither with the Framework Agreement nor with Agreed Position.
Emphasising on the group’s “One Naga, One People, One Nation” policy, he said that only after Nagas come together, the group’s charter of demands would be based on the decision taken by Nagas.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by cabinet secretary, Inovi Naga, invocation was given by deputy kilonser, ministry of religious affairs, Viheshe Yeputho, welcome address was delivered by kilonser, law and justice, Moses Sangtam, and declaration of rank and promotion by joint secretary, Hiketo Kiho Swu.
Highlights of the programme included special numbers by Maryangla Imchen, Nika H Kiho and Livino Chishi, while vote of thanks was proposed by kilonser, Temjen Ao and benediction by kilonser, ministry of medical, Y Asang.
Wangtin says Nagas must come together to save shared future: Delivering speech at the “77th Naga Independence Day” celebration held at CFSB Office Mon, the NSCN (Reformation) president Y. Wangtin Naga asserted that Naga people including negotiators must come together with reason “to save our shared future.”
Wangtin said Naga people’s hatred towards one another had already destroyed Naga future and their arrogance and self-righteousness have already murdered their political history.
“Come let us realize and locate where we have been fallen and try to find out what went wrong in our political endeavours,” he said.
On the occasion, Wangtin also maintained that prolonged political problem has become “breeding ground for multiplication of factions.” He said that “this unprecedented disease” could be treated only by political solution.
Therefore, NSCN (R) president said Nagas must have peaceful and acceptable political solution without abandoning “our political rights for temporary relieves based on contemporary political reality.”
Vusshe says committed to stand till goal of Nagas achieved: Khango-led NSCN/GPRN (K) celebrated the “77th Naga Independence Day” at Council Headquarters, Thamsao designated camp on August 14, which was graced by president ‘lieut. Gen.’ (retd) Khango Konyak as the chief guest.
The ato kilonser Hokato Vusshe, who spoke on the present Naga political scenario, dwelled at length upon the contemporary political issue affecting the Naga people.
He further affirmed that Nagas were independent people since time immemorial and that the Nagas were asking India to leave them alone as in ancient time to determine the future of Nagas in consonance with their distinct identity.
He said that NSCN/GPRN (K) will never fail nor betray the Nagas and commit to stand till the goal of Nagas was achieved.
Vusshe appealed to the Nagas to stand united and work cohesively in every aspect so as to bring a logical conclusion towards the vexed protracted Naga political issue.
Ball is now in the court of GoI, says Akato: NSCN (R) headed by Akato Chophi commemorated the “Naga Independence Day” at its regions and UT camps. In his presidential address on the occasion of “77th Naga Independence Day”, NSCN president Akato Chophi said much has been lost due to the armed conflict and the protracted political issue between government of India and Nagas. However, he said that all was not lost and as “we stand at the thresholds of the modern era, where ‘Warfare’ is being replaced by political negotiations and diplomatic ties”.
Therefore, Akato said that the ball was now in the court of government to display its sincerity and make the call as whether to hammering out a political solution, honourable and acceptable to all or instead to procrastinate or to continue with the conflict.
He, however, said that any kind of solution that was short of “National Principle and Traditional Values’ and without pragmatic approach would fail to produce any positive vibe, but rather would be mired with political ramifications.
Meanwhile, to mark the occasion, a small programme was held in Dimapur at the residence of ato kilonser, Michael Yeptho, where he spoke briefly followed by exhortation from kilo kilonser Nokrang Lanu Aier. MRA (Ministry of Religious Affair) deputy kilonser Wankei Konyak invoked God’s blessings.
The Sumi region also celebrated the day at the residence of the Chairman Samuel with deputy kilonser Nikheto Chophi delivering a short speech followed by folksong presentation by Hoshili and friends. Pastor Hinoto offered a special prayer for NSCN while the chairman read out the presidential address.
Invocation and benediction were given by Khevitoli and Tolivi (Women Pastor) respectively.
The Konyak region also celebrated the day at its Mon office HQ. After the invocation was said by Hakwang, a silent prayer was observed for the late chairman Temzei and other martyrs and fallen comrades.
Short speeches were delivered by kilonser Phongwang, deputy home Chingten, “brigadier” (Eastern Command) Mongnei and Wangla Angh. Mass benediction was led by pastor Tongpang.
Nagas desire to live in peace, says: FGN kedahge “brig. (retd)” S. Singnya, delivering speech on the occasion of “77th Naga Independence Day”, the said Nagas as a people and as a nation have an ardent desire to live in peace and harmony and have always sought to live in peaceful co-existence with their neighbours.
He said that Naga Nationalism was essentially a movement for the restoration of their political and historical rights. Singnya said Nagas as fierce lovers of freedom and equality, their aspiration had always been for self-determination. “We do not covet what is not ours but we will keep what is rightfully ours,” kedahge said.
Therefore, for peace to prevail and for a peaceful resolution of the “Indo-Naga” political issue, he said FGN actively participated and concluded the political dialogue with Government of India as an entity of the NNPGs Working Committee “to arrive at a political settlement which is honourable and mutually acceptable.”
However, he said that even after a lapse of more than three years of concluding the political dialogues on October 31, 2019, the final inking of the agreement remained.
In this regard, Singnya questioned the “lackadaisical attitude” of the government of India and asked whether India was genuinely concerned about resolving the “Indo-Naga” political issue.
FGN for restoration of Nagas’ rights: FGN kedahge “gen. (retd.)” Viyalie Metha, while delivering speech on the “76th anniversary of Nagaland independence declaration”, said that since the British government remained silent on the Nagas’ right to self-determination at the time of its departure, the NNC after informing the top Indian leaders of the time, declared Naga Independence on August 14, 1947. To augment that declaration, he said NNC conducted the plebiscite on May 16, 1951 wherein 99.9% of Nagas voted for sovereignty.
Ever since its establishment, he said Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) has always stood for the restoration of “the historical and political rights of the Nagas.”
He said Nagas fought against the “invader India and defended our country for a long time.”
However, Metha said the war was brought to a halt in 1964 with the signing of the International Ceasefire Agreement between the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) and the Government of India (GoI). Accordingly, he said Nagas kept their words and honour the Ceasefire till today.
He said that mandated NNC and FGN always uphold the policy of non-violence and maintain peace and tranquillity with all neighbouring people and nations, and would continue to do the same.
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