DIMAPUR, AUGUST 13 (MExN): The Chairman of the NSCN (IM) Isak Chishi Swu gave reminder of the assurance given by none other than Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Indian Nation that “Nagas have every right to be independent”. Pointing out that this assurance to the Naga leaders in 1947 still echoed in the hearts of both young and old alike, Swu stated that this “utterance from the Father of the Indian Nation must be respected both in words and actions”.
Addressing the people on the eve of Naga Independence Day, Swu in his speech pointed out that both India and the Nagas “have had, for hundreds of years, clear and distinct political, historical, cultural, social and religious existence”. “We do not beg or plead, we simply ask India to respect the rights, wishes and sentiments of our people”, Swu stated.
He also went on to state that Nagas respect and cherish the historical affinity that its shares with its neighbors. This bond, we pledge, shall continue for hundreds of years to come, he stated while also making it clear that Naga history and their rights “cannot be reduced to being safety valves for our neighbors”. “Emotional outbursts cannot erase historical facts”, Swu stated referring to the opposition against the Naga people’s demand for territorial integration. “The artificial boundaries created arbitrarily to suit the politics of the time must be uprooted. Historical blunder of few decades must be set straight to conform to the ageless fraternity amongst the Naga family. The inalienable right of the Nagas to live as one must be rightfully restored”, the Naga leader stated in no uncertain terms.
On the peace talks, Swu pointed out that the NSCN (IM) over the years had done much to understand the difficulty of the Indian government and said that the former had proposed for a special federal relationship recognizing each other’s historical and political rights as two different political entities through mutually acceptable political agreement. “Mere recognition of unique history and situation of the Nagas does not solve any problem unless unique solution is found”, Swu stated further adding that the ball was now in the GOI’s court as to whether to bring the conflict to an end or resume hostilities. “Any solution, therefore, must be honorable and acceptable to the Nagas”, he stated.
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