DIMAPUR, MARCH 21 (MExN): Commemorating the 43rd Naga Republic Day at its Council Headquarters (Naga Unification Camp, Khehoyi), the GPRN/NSCN reaffirmed the aspiration for an “honourable and acceptable solution” to the Indo-Naga conflict. General (Retired) MB Neokpao Konyak, in the Presidential address, asserted that the WC, NNPGs and the Government of India have concluded the negotiations with the “Naga tribes and all sections of people” agreeing that the “Agreed Position” and the subsequent “Status Paper” to be a fair political document reflecting the Naga people’s will.
The message, which was released to the media, said that they will not allow it to be defiled by “any motivated agenda,” while ensuring a peaceful coexistence and enduring relationship with India in consonance with contemporary political realities.
Neokpao said, “GPRN/NSCN as a partner of Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) urges every Naga citizens to contemplate and seek the benevolent blessing of the Almighty God for an early solution of the Naga political issue. Let us stand strong and united to fulfill the destiny entrusted to us by our brave and wise pioneers.”
Without compromising on the people’s political aspiration, he said that the Nagas must retain the core values of the freedom struggle” while enabling the younger generation to cohabit with the best minds in the best institutions, in a fast changing world.
Pointing to a perceived silence on crucial moments, he further appealed the Naga tribal Hohos, the Church and all apex civil societies to crawl out of the cocoon of fear and sentimentalism. He said that “this syndrome” has locked up many brilliant Naga minds as opposed to the need for clear reasoning on the Naga issue.
Nevertheless, he said that the GPRN/NSCN is thankful to “fearless Naga tribal Hoho leaders, village custodians and hereditary village chiefs, the church, mothers and student leaders, learned men and women for detaching incessant propaganda and sentimentalism, two very poor cousins of transparent Naga political blueprint, and embracing transparency and pragmatism.”
Reiterating the significance of the Agreed Position, he said that it has renewed a “dormant patriotism in our land.” “We have demanded what is rightfully ours and GOI has accepted the reality that we have the political and historical right. We believe and hope that Union of India and Nagaland will coexist and Nagas will experience enduring peace for our children, grandchildren and those after them.”
In a separate press release, issued by the MIP, GPRN/NSCN, Ato Kilonser, N Kitovi Zhimomi was quoted elucidating the Naga political journey so far. The release said, “He dwelled upon how the people’s aspiration and desires have been taken into account right from the beginning when the ‘Agreed Position’ was signed between the WC, NNPGs and GOI on the 17th November 2017 and subsequent political negotiation have been concluded on the 31st October 2019.”
While stating that any responsible Naga should stay wary of “speaking with multiple tongues,” he also stressed the need to stay informed “of our right as a Naga with distinct identity lest we either get exploited or hoodwinked into falling for a worthless cause while contending in the pool of factionalism and superiority complexes.” He further elaborated that the Naga political issue needs to be dealt and resolved with the ‘Art of Possibility and Mutualism” so as to bring in sensible and practical reality.
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