All Nagas must unite and form a National government: NNC
Morung Express News
Tuensang | August 20
The bitter and long-drawn Naga political struggle, the changing equation among the Naga armed groups and discordant voices on the Naga issue, have not desisted the Naga National Council (NNC) from clinging to the “inalienable” right of Nagas to choose their own destiny.
NNC (Anti-Shillong Accord) leaders including senior leaders ‘Gen (Retd)’ I Panger Walling and ‘Gen (Retd)’ TM Keyho, and general secretary V Nagi came together at a meeting of the NNC Eastern Region held at Kuthur village, some 10km from Tuensang town, on August 18, to re-kindle the spirit of Naga nationalism among the NNC members and villagers. “Independence of Nagaland in not in the hands of India. Though there maybe doubts from many quarters about achieving this goal, I always say why not, we can get it, sooner or later,” declared Walling.
Walling who is also former NNC president said that way back in 1911 in British India, many Indians at that time thought that the banner “Go back Britishers” put up at Gateway of India, Bombay, was an impossible task, even under Mahatma Gandhi.
But ultimately, India got her freedom, he said. “Me too, in 1965 after the ceasefire, when Rev. Michael Scott, then Assam Governor BP Chaliha and a central minister visited Mokokchung, I shouted ‘Go back India’ three times,” recalled Walling, who was then ‘Brigadier’ of Northern Command, Naga Army.
‘Gen (Retd)’ Keyho also said that since its formation in 1946, the NNC had never committed itself to any compromise or decreased political commitment but had held steadfast to Naga sovereignty. Narrating a past incident, Keyho said that onetime when he was in London espousing the Naga cause, an English gentleman asked him if “independence” was a viable option since Nagaland is a “tiny state.”
“I told him he was referring to Nagaland as found in the Map of India, but that for us Nagaland means all Naga-inhabited areas along with their traditional lands given by God. After hearing this, the Englishman nodded and apologized,” he added.
NNC general secretary V Nagi reminded the gathering of Naga historical facts including the 1929 Simon Commission, Naga independence declaration on August 14, 1947 and 1951 Naga Plebiscite.
“We are not demanding Independence from India since Nagas have already declared it a day ahead of India. We are only fighting politically for recognition of our rights and history. We are just asking India to withdraw her army from Nagaland and to recognize our inherent rights as even the UN has recognized out rights,” Nagi said.
Blaming factionalism for weakening the Naga cause, the NNC leaders said that all Nagas must unite and form a “National government” to lead and guide the Naga nation with one voice.
“Today we reduced our political struggle to fighting among ourselves due to our differences rooted in distrust and rivalry. Therefore our strategy and the only armament that will work now to save ourselves and the nation is admitting our mistakes honestly instead of blaming each other...” Keyho said.
“Because of factionalism and internal divisions, we cannot walk straight. Now we are striving for Naga unity and I am optimistic that ultimately Nagas will unite,” Walling said in a positive note.
Advocating for unity based on the right political stand, the NNC general secretary said that without the right stand and spirit, “might and money” can never redeem Nagas.
Representatives from Yimchungru, Chang, Angami, Lotha, Sumi, Ao, Zeliang, Rengma regions of NNC, NNC women wing, Yimchungru Tribal Council and chairman Kuthur Village Council also spoke on the occasion.
NNC vice president Kiumukam Yimchungrü chaired the programme and member, central executive council, Zapuvisie Lhusa proposed vote of thanks.
