‘Nagas have been silent observers for too long’

Morung Express News
Kohima | August 14

The 75th anniversary of the declaration of Naga Independence was commemorated under the watchful eye of the police in Kohima on August 14 at Naga Solidarity Park, Kohima. Participants attending the event organised by the Naga Students’ Federation at the Naga Solidarity Park, Kohima were restricted from carrying the Naga flag outside the venue by state police personnel. 

Neingulo Krome, Secretary General of the Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), who was the main speaker, emphasised the significance of the Naga political movement but lamented the divisions and disagreements within. “We have been silent observers for too long. The time has come for us not only to shout, but to do something about,” he stated.

Krome asserted that under the shadow of many agreements and false promises of the Government of India, the Nagas are divided into so many groups due to the “interpretations and reinterpretations of the contents of the agreements.” On the contents of the agreements not being disclosed, Krome said “Naga leaders respecting and honouring Indian leaders kept their side of the promise by not disclosing the contents of the agreements.”

According to him, NPMHR on several occasions tried to persuade Naga leaders to make public the contents for discussions. However, “NSCN itself didn’t want to betray the trust of the Government of India. But, so much confusion have crept in among the Naga public, today, we are divided over the interpretation and reinterpretation of the contents of the (Framework) Agreement and the Agreed Position.”

“The Government of India wants to give peace to us today because they are tired of this conflict and bring honour to herself by an honourable settlement that’s why they signed the agreements.” He expressed reservations on how honourable the Agreements are. 

Krome was critical of Naga overground leaders who are asking to resolve the issue under the Constitution of India, “sans our Naga flag, our identity, nationhood, people-hood without our hearts and minds, just to be a face to be the citizens of India.”

While stating that the Nagas have more friends in India than anywhere else, he expressed anguish that the Nagas are not creating the space “because we, ourselves are too scared to shout for our freedom.” 

“People, who suppressed us kept us in prisons, are nobody than our own Naga leaders, over ground leaders. I don’t have to name them; they themselves know who they are.” 

“When we want peace, our own people give us war so if we really want peace we have to be prepared,” he asserted. 

Nonetheless, Krome said, “But we don’t deserve to be treated like this by our own dominant Naga ruling classes. If they want to continue to wage psychological war, to talk peace and give us the peace of the ‘grave’ (only when you are dead and in your graveyard, you will find peace) that is the kind of peace Naga leaders are talking about.”

Towards this end, he called for the Nagas to celebrate Independence, not just by observing it, but living the independence in its true sense.  

“Freedom, respect, independence and sovereignty must be earned and not asked. Remember, we are not Indians and we will never be Indians because we are Nagas by blood,” Krome said.

Meanwhile, participants at the programme today said that there was an altercation when police personnel tried to remove Naga flags hung at the venue and did not allow them to carry the flags outside of the venue. 

One of the participants commented, “I am sure the reason for taking flags back with us from the venue is not to create any situation, but since we all hold the Naga flag dear to our hearts, we want to keep it as a souvenir in our homes.” 

On the action of the uniformed personnel, he said, “Though they are police personnel, they are also Nagas but it’s their duty and they are following the directives from their higher ups. Today, as a Naga, I feel sorry for the entire Naga people that we are being restricted to carry our own flag in our own land.”