DIMAPUR, MARCH 21 (MExN): The Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) today marked the Naga Republic Day by asserting that the Naga people “chose to determine, forge and shape our own destiny with dignity, integrity and freedom and we have withstood the tides that sought to weaken and destroy our spirit.”
Brigadier (Retd) S Singya, Kedahge, FGN, in his speech stated that from the beginning, “powerful forces opposed to our cause have sought to weaken us by following the policy of divide and rule.”
“Naga country was not only divided up between India and Myanmar but also the Naga population in India had been scattered in the four different states of Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. The demarcation of the Indo-Myanmar boundary on the Naga territory was done arbitrarily and without the consent of the Naga people,” he said.
He further pointed to the recent border fencing issue as a move to divide the Nagas “without any consultation and in total disregard to the rights of the traditional land owners.”
Brigadier (Retd) S Singya meanwhile cautioned that “our traditional culture and values, our faith and beliefs are being eroded and being supplanted by alien cultures and practices.”
“We are plagued by modernism ideology that says ‘the world is changing and we too must change.’ But let us remember that in the process of nation building there is no room for politics of convenience. Knowledge and adaptation are important but we must take care not to import knowledge that may destroy the very fabric of our national identity,” he added.
He also said that the FGN is “aware of the fact that we must travel back to the past to reclaim our rights that was declared in unity and trust and forge ahead together with pride and dignity.”
Brigadier (Retd) S Singya reaffirmed the commitment of the FGN to “uphold the pledge of our people to be a Sovereign Nation, free from the interference of any foreign power to decide, determine and shape our own destiny.” While stating that the division of the Naga National workers was a “direct result of India’s sinister designs and strategy to weaken our cause,” he asked Naga National workers to be “extremely cautious and not become the tools and weapon of our enemy.”
He meanwhile called for the celebration of the “courage and lives of those who have guided us with their vision and rededicate ourselves to follow the same path.”
