My Dear Countrymen,
We are privileged once again to arrive at another milestone in the history of our nation as we celebrate the 66th year of the declaration of our independence to the world on August 14, 1947. We give thanks in prayer to God for His continued blessings upon Nagaland. We also give our respect and honor to our past leaders and who shed their heroic blood in defense of Nagaland. I on behalf of the Federal Government of Nagaland express my gratefulness to all fellow National Workers in the Federal Government of Nagaland, the Naga National Council and our people in general for your steadfast and unflinching resolve towards our national solidarity.
On this auspicious occasion, I call upon our people to recall our national history that hitherto our ancestors customarily lived in their own respective self-governing villages were brought together under one umbrella as a nation by our leaders led by A.Z. Phizo, father of the Naga Nation. And the foundations were laid unshakeable, firstly – declared Naga Independence on 14th August 1947 after ensuring fully good understanding with the then British India, Mahatma Gandhi, father of Indian nation and others. Secondly – Naga Voluntary Plebiscite conducted on 16th May, 1951 re-affirmed Naga independence by overwhelming majority of 99% vote. Thirdly – established the “Federal Government of Nagaland” on 22nd March, 1956. These are irrefutable facts and no one can deny or shove away our rights.
On seeing the result of the Naga voluntary plebiscite of 1951, India wanted to annexed Nagaland by force and began its aggression in the year 1954 when innocent Naga public were massacred at Yempang Village which let our people to stand in defense of our land thus an undeclared war with Nagaland continued for a decade. Naga people faced untold sufferings that is already history and recorded in every book on Nagaland. After a decade long war, finally peace was brought in through the Nagaland Peace Mission under sponsorship of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) where an International Cease-Fire Agreement was signed between Federal Government of Nagaland and Government of the Republic of India which took effect on September 6, 1964. Even though India unilaterally abrogated the agreement, the Federal Government of Nagaland maintains and holds true to our commitment till today. And for the benefit of both India and Nagaland, we shall maintain till the final settlement is achieved.
Nevertheless, taking advantage of our efforts to maintain peace in our land, the enemy with its monetary power aimed to create division among Nagas with the help of its henchmen of few renegades and some educated materialists, hoping to fool our people publishing wild propaganda through the media with intent to prolong their occupation in Nagaland and putting up jumble of offers, on the other hand, factions trying to sell out Naga nation, demanding Monetary Package plus Bhutan status – Greater Nagalim – Shared Sovereignty – Supra Body Status – (so-called) National Government – Alternative Arrangement – Pan-Naga and what next? Factions were made by India and India is responsible to deal with its own problem. But Indo-Naga conflict continues till India withdraws its occupational forces from Nagaland. Naga people had endured Indian militarized tyranny for over sixty years and if the matter could not be resolved in the way it should, then we will be left with no choice but to seek other alternative to redress our case.
It is outrageous that India continued its wanton exploitation of our mineral wealth such as oil, gas, coal etc. India has no right whatsoever over our mineral properties. Lack of physical obstructions like before is not because of our weakness but because we do not want to repeat violence in our land, yet the Federal Government of Nagaland will never allow any unauthorized exploitation of our mineral wealth. If any one acts in violation of the stand such individual or groups will face the consequences sooner or later.
Dear friends, the call for National duty and responsibility is clear that we would continue to work together till the war comes to an end through Non-Violence, for which may God bless Nagaland.
Kuknalim
