NSF rejects Kuki-Zo Council statement

Reiterates demand for justice over killing of Naga civilians

KOHIMA, JUNE 28 (MExN): The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) today declared that it “outrightly rejects” the recent statement by the Kuki-Zo Council (KZC) concerning the killing of six Naga civilians, alleging that it sought to divert attention from, the abduction and killing of the six Naga civilians.

In a press statement issued on Sunday, the Federation also expressed concern over what it termed the “divisive and derogatory terminology employed to loosely project the Naga people as ‘Kacha Naga’,” describing it as an attempt to redefine the identity of the indigenous Naga people.

Accusing the KZC of seeking to “classify or redefine” the identity of the indigenous Naga populace, the NSF maintained that the Naga nation existed long before colonial boundaries were imposed and rejected what it described as attempts to compartmentalise Nagas into "Southern", "Northern", "Eastern" or "Western" groups.

The NSF described it as ironic that those whose historical presence in the Naga homeland, according to the Federation, dated back only to the British colonial period were now seeking to redefine the identity of the indigenous Naga people.

It further maintained that while its ancestral homeland “may today be scattered by subjugation and militarization,” the Naga nation predates present-day boundaries and that no "artificial frontier" could alter its shared history or identity.

To this end, the Federation cautioned organisations and individuals against pursuing agendas that could weaken Naga identity and national unity.

While stating that the Naga people have historically extended hospitality and coexisted with various communities across the Naga homeland, the Federation asserted that such goodwill should not be exploited to undermine the rights, dignity and identity of the indigenous people.

"The issue before us is neither political propaganda nor competing narratives. It is the brutal loss of six innocent Naga civilian lives," the NSF stated, adding that no expression of regret could erase the reality of .the victims' abduction, alleged torture and murder as well as the desecration of their bodies.

The Federation reiterated its demand that all those responsible for the abduction and killing of the six civilians including members of what it described as armed Kuki armed groups and any civilians found to have participated in or facilitated the crime, be identified, arrested, prosecuted and punished in accordance with the law.

It also called on the Government of India to immediately abrogate the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement with Kuki armed groups, alleging that some groups operating under the arrangement had committed repeated atrocities and human rights violations with impunity.

At the same time, the NSF said the Naga people neither seek conflict nor hostility with the Government of India and remain committed to peaceful coexistence with neighbouring communities based on mutual respect, justice and recognition of each other's historical and political rights.

It maintained that lasting peace in the region could only emerge through truth, accountability and an honourable political resolution to the Indo-Naga issue.

Reaffirming solidarity with the bereaved families of the six slain civilians, the Federation said their demand for justice "is the demand of every Naga" and pledged to remain steadfast in its pursuit of accountability until those responsible are brought to justice.

Meanwhile, on June 27, the United Naga Council (UNC) sought immediate intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Government over what it termed as rapidly deteriorating situation in Manipur especially in the Naga areas.

Addressing a press conference at Press Club of India in New Delhi on Saturday evening, the UNC, the apex body of the 21 Naga tribes of Manipur also demanded the protection of Naga areas and justice for six murdered Naga civilians.