Chedema, February 2 (MExN): President of the Naga National Council (NNC) Adinno Phizo today stated that the NNC was formed to safeguard the future of Nagaland.
“NNC has persistently upheld Naga National identity and the Naga democratic traditions,” she said adding, “Throughout all these years, by the grace of God, the NNC has not failed the Nagas in all difficult situations in the past seventy one years.”
Adinno was speaking at the 71st Naga National Council Formation Day celebrations at the Peace Camp, Chedema on Thursday. The NNC was formed on February 2, 1946.
In her speech which was made available to the media, Adinno claimed that Nagas have “all freedom in their land” and that Nagas practice a “unique form of gender equality”, but pointed to some people “playing politics with Naga rights and freedom.”
Insisting that Nagaland's history has never allowed any foreign power to “dominate our people”, she made it known that, “Even with Great Britain, no treaty was ever signed for submission.”
She further stated that NNC is not a political party and that its policy is non-violence. “This is because in Naga traditions, every problem is resolved with reason and mutual understanding. Also, unlike a political party, it is the people who make decisions and empower some leaders to serve the people,” she maintained.
Also stating that Nagaland remains surrounded by Indian armed forces along with their order of the Armed Forces Special Power Act 1958, the NNC President argued that the Indian Government invaded Nagaland by first portraying Nagas as "secessionists", "rebels", "hostiles" and "terrorists".
She accused the Indian Army of hunting Naga people “like animals”. “But determined as ever, the Naga fighters with only a handful of weapons fought back with great courage,” Adinno stated viewing that it was through these determined fighters that a Ceasefire Agreement between the Federal Government of Nagaland and the Government of India was signed in 1964.
“In this period, many Nagas sacrificed their lives without outside help and our consolation is that we never surrendered to the enemy,” Adinno stated and insisted that Nagas should always remember “those unyielding sacrifices”.
“The dispersed Nagas were also able to return to their villages as a result of the bravery and sacrifices of these brave Naga fighters,” she added.
Asserting that the conflict with India will have to be resolved, the NNC President made it known that Nagaland's stand is very clear – the stand being, “Nagas are not Indians and Nagaland is not Indian Territory”.
“The Nagas are not demanding anything from India except to leave Nagaland and co - exist with Nagas as friendly neighbors,” she maintained and contended, “Only when this happens, Nagaland can progress in their own way and achieve not, "a golden" but permanent peace and prosperity.”
