Dimapur, Oct 22 (MExN): Lamenting that Nagas have been repeatedly sacrificed for “selfish and individual narcissisms” and “hypnotized by personal economic and political ambitions of a few”, the NSCN-IM is concerned that with the assembly elections approaching, ‘doubt, suspicion, distrust and division’ have been cast.
According to Kilonser Maj. (Retd) Johny Dilbung, heralding Goa Governor SC Jamir’s visit, “the remnants of dissenters are invigorated and revived to sprout activities to vitiate the atmosphere and the preaching of economic philosophies is permeated side by side”. The Kilonser in a statement said that consequences of the past have landed the Nagas where they are today.
Recollecting events in the past, the statement said that in 1963 during P Shilu’s Chief Ministership, initiatives were on to engage a dialogue between the Indian government and the Nagas under the leadership of late leader Z Phizo. During this period SC Jamir who was then an MP, objected to the talks in a written address to the GoI, declaring that if dialogue be initiated with Phizo, there is no point for him (Jamir) to remain as MP. He thus, the Kilonser stated, obstructed the process. Later on December 10, 1963 SC Jamir became a signatory to the 16 Point Agreement which the Nagas rejected.
“In 1999 when the Collective Leadership of the NSCN came home (Nagalim) he protested against their visit and submitted a written statement during the Chief Minister’s conference with the Indian Prime minister wherein he stated that the Naga people have rejected the NSCN and the ceasefire had been entered without his knowledge and so he was against it” the NSCN-IM stated adding that later on Jamir came out with the booklet ‘bedrock of the Naga society’. Although the book consequently led him to getting voted out of power, it “earned him the Governorship of the Indian Goa as his incentive”.
The NSCN-IM also had similar views for veteran Naga leaders like former Manipur Chief Minister Rishang Keishing and former Governor/Chief Minister Dr Hokishe Sema. “…Rishang Keishing, the ex-Chief Minister of Indian Manipur state was also voted out of Legislative Assembly elections for his anti-Naga people’s principles. But as he was serving in line with the policies of his Indian paymasters by going against the unification and integration of the Naga people, he was also awarded with the office of a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha of the Indian Parliament”. For Dr Hokishe Sema, the NSCN-IM had this to say: “… (Hokishe Sema) who had previously remained to be serving as Indian Puppet and had exhibited dispositions alike Jamir and Keishing in the past has today repented to the reality of the Naga situation which is a good sign. He had in the recent past declared that ‘no force on earth can stop the Naga people from coming together, Nagas have every right to exist as a nation. When he issued this statement, the high command from India seriously sought an explanation to which he firmly replied that ‘this is the voice and desire of the Nagas and the true fact’”.
“Regardless of the past mistakes, elderly people should realize their faults and come back in line with the Naga people’s aspirations so that they at least revive the aspirations of their people when they retire. Unless the Naga elders open their eyes to the reality and see the sufferings endured by the Nagas for their mistakes and reconcile for the better by not misleading or misguiding the Nagas, there looms a thorny and rugged road ahead of us” the Kilonser forewarned.
