‘India has to change its perception of the Naga struggle’

Azo speaking at the culture session of ANCSU general conference at Zunheboto on November 7.

'Any Stop Gap Solution cannot be taken or treated as the final settlement or solution': Azo

Kohima, November 7 (MExN): “If there is going to be any political solution to the conflict at hand, then India (GoI) has to change its perception of the Nagas and the Naga struggle, he said adding that there has to be complete honour and respect in the dialogue itself, the honour and dignity of the Nagas as a people need to be recognized and respected.”

This was stated by MLA Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu while speaking at the cultural session of the 19th biennial general conference of All Nagaland College Students Union (ANCSU) at Zunheboto town.

“It ought to be noted that our forefathers, brothers and sisters has sacrificed their previous lives and gave their today for our  sovereignty tomorrow which is also our birth right,” he said. 

While thanking GoI for recognizing the unique history of the Nagas, and keeping the flag and Constitution issue under “Unresolved issues” which will be pursued under democratic and peaceful means,  Azo said that GoI also must remember that  any ‘Stop Gap Solution’ which is on the pipeline cannot be taken or treated as the final settlement or solution, adding the ‘Stop Gap Solution’ should also not hurt the sentiment of our neighbouring states, at the same time GoI should also allow our aspirations and demands for sovereignty and integration to continue in a peaceful manner as assured and agreed upon.

“Today GoI also must remember or realize that this ‘Stop Gap Solution’ has become necessary in order to usher in peace and development as the general public are literally fed up of violence, factionalism, killings, threat,  intermediation, demand,  ransom, kidnappings, and above all multiple taxation , maybe these are the reasons  we  have been compelled to accept the offer,” he said. 

He said with the new dawn breaking for the Naga people “we sincerely pray and hope that the era of factionalism, violence killings, extortion, ransom, kidnappings, threat and intermediation and above all multiple taxation will come to end or will become something of the past.”

Nevertheless, the Indian State should also allow the Nagas to choose their own destiny instead of forcefully imposing its will on the Nagas, Azo said. 

He urged the students that while trying to promote and upkeep its traditions,“ let us  not forget the core values of honesty, hardwork, fear of God almighty, love and respect for one another which has been the true  culture and traditions practiced by our forefathers.”

“Let us also continue to promote patriotism through non-violence policy and not through the barrel of the gun,” he added.

Earlier, he said that Nagas certainly have a story to tell to the world- a story of decade of bloodshed, and years of wandering in the thick jungles, and forests, hilly terrains, across mountains and valleys.

“A story of patience, tolerance and perseverance of our culture, traditions and identity and our faith in God almighty that one day we will achieve our goal and that is nothing besides sovereignty, which is our birth right as well.” He said that it is certainly a story of trying to find freedom in our own  land, but it is also a story that holds within it the universal truth and experiences of decades 'of rapes, killings, torture, massacre and burning down of houses and granaries and with all its untold miseries and suffering.'

He said it is also a story of a brutal war between the massive forces of mighty India and tiny Nagas which took place from the year 1950 onwards under the banner of NNC (FGN).

“I am very sure Nagas did not want a war but were forced into it or we were rather compelled to fight in self defence. During this war, the casualties of the Nagas was extremely high and the precious lives lost cannot be measured at any cost, but the sorry state of affairs was that the story of the Nagas was never heard, all because it took place in one of the remotest places known as Naga hills, without any press, media, and reporters present at that point of time,” Azo said.