Dimapur, August 13 (MExN): The Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) reasserted that the Government of India continuous to commit aggression in Nagaland, attempting to divide it by erecting fencing on Saramati, extracting oil and mineral resources and ‘harboring terrorists and using them as its tool against Nagaland.’
“One of the latest evil designs of India is erecting permanent fencing long the mountain ranges of Saramati, cutting across Heimi, Konyak, Khiamniungan, Pochury, down-south to Patkai range in order to disable Nagas to call Nagas; our tradition will not allow anyone to put up any pillar or stone on other’s private land without consent of the owner not to speak of erecting permanent fencing to separate our own people. If India and Myanmar proceed with their evil agenda, blood will run fresh again in Nagaland to stop it and it will be stopped by any means” stated Gen.(Rtd) Viyalie Metha, Kedahge of the FGN in his 60th Independence Day message.
Relative of the aggression, the FGN stated that India has now also started extracting minerals “without hesitation” and reasserted the natural resources of the Nagas as the people’s which “only the collective will of the entire Naga nation, expressed through its sovereign government can determine as to what is to be done about the land and resources of Nagaland and as such any individual or group who violates will sooner or later bear the consequences”.
The statement quoted AZ Phizo: “As for economic viability of Nagaland – Nagaland is a surplus country. Nagaland produces agricultural products in excess of her requirements. Known natural resources include Oil, Gold, Iron ore, Mica and Nickel. Coal has been mined for half a century. Others are yet to be developed. But the economic potentiality is great. The soil is fertile, the climate is very good. We have flat land. We have high hills and mountains which reach over 10,000 ft. above sea-level. But the greatest asset of Nagaland is the Naga people who are honest and industrious”. The Kedahge reaffirmed Phizo’s assertion and stated that God has bestowed all these on the people. “It is our part to live the life of a man by standing on the firm foundation of our nation, laid by our forefathers who had lived an unblemished civilization, known by the world today as the purest form of democracy” he stated.
The FGN Kedahge also expressed resentment at enrollment drives for recruitment of Naga youths to the Indian Armed forces. “In the recent past India had been taking rigorous steps to enroll Naga youth who are capable of getting lucrative jobs but hood-winked into Indian defense forces, just because they are economically strangulated. Today I convey a word of caution to this section of Naga youth to be cautious that their precious lives should not be sacrificed for the enemy of our people” the Kedahge stated.
The Kedahge also took pride at the younger Naga generation who, he said, is better equipped in the field of education and in every sphere of life. “And I have confidence in my people that we have already learned our lesson through the test of bitterness both externally and internally, so that we with their intellect, wisdom and strength they steadfastly safeguard the Naga national interest by upholding our tradition and culture” he stated. The FGN also expressed gratitude to all organizations and individuals who generously contributed towards nation-building of the Nagas and also to international groups and individuals who, the Kedahge stated, are keenly trying to understand the problems faced by the Naga people, due to India’s forced occupation in Nagaland.
