To begin with, I am an admirer of both Phizo and Adino because they are much greater persons than me but I am not a “blind loyalty owing” follower of either Phizo or Adino or Muivah or Khaplang or any political ideology- be it democratic NNC or Marxist NSCN. Therefore, the question of “Mr Blind loyalty massacring Mr Reason does not arise in my case.”
As for your loyalty, I do not know where it lies-whether it is with the government of India or the state government of Nagaland or some other individuals. However, at the end of the day, the way we have lived our lives speaks louder then the way we verbalize or can write, so let our lives speak for themselves.
Coming to the topic of the signing of the Shillong Accord and the 16 Point agreement, I agree with you that on both occasions, a “horrible suffering” of both Naga national workers as well as Naga civilian took place before the signing of both the documents. This horrible suffering was inflicted on us by the might of the Indian army and it’s Government. On both occasions, horrible destruction and devastation of human lives and property took place. As a result, our entire small nation was trapped. The prevailing conditions under which our leaders on both occasions signed the two documents, was like an enemy hunter setting a trap for a helpless quarry to step on it and get entrapped.
However, the world of difference between the first trap and the second trap is that; in the case of the first trap(16 Point Agreement), the victim stepped on the trap and hopelessly got entangled within the two steel jaws of the trap. However, in the second trap, the victims freed themselves from the trap due to some defects in the trap and flew away.
In the case of the first trap, the victims (leaders) not only got themselves ensnared in the trap but also pulled almost the whole Naga population into the enemy’s trap. Very soon all the high officials and bureaucrats of our people who got entrapped in the enemy’s snare were provided with VVIP security cover. And then to the horror of the whole Naga family, these trapped Ministers and Bureaucrats of the enemy’s government started issuing search warrants, arrest warrants and even imprisonment terms against any Naga who refused to join their Indian trap. By their active assistance and acquiescence, draconian Laws like The Nagaland Regulation Act 1962, Armed Forces Special Powers Act (Amended)1972, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act 1967 etc were also passed and applied on our national workers as well as innocent Naga civilians.
In fact, long before the Shillong Accord was twisted by some politically ambitious Naga leaders and fratricidal blood was unleashed from the 1980’s onwards, the first fratricidal deluge was poured out through these laws and regulations in the early 1960’s. In my opinion the first breaking down of the united Naga house was done by the Naga People’s Convention when despite the fact that the whole Naga nation were defending their declared independence, 19 Nagas went to Delhi and brought an Indian state into Nagaland.
Coming to the second trap (Shillong Accord) where the Nagas were able to fly away from the enemy’s snare, I still hold on to what I have stated unless somebody else can come up with evidences (not prejudices) to the contrary. My write up is based on 16 years of careful research, interviews and fact finding exercises. The conclusions I have drawn are my own personal conclusions which are based on many cross examination of statements and written documents. I of course do not hold or insist that everybody should accept my conclusions as final and binding.
In conclusion, I would like to state the following additional facts:
1. The Federal and Naga army representatives that were sent to Shillong were officially send by President Zashei Huire with equal status vide order dated Oking, Sept. 15, 1975. They were sent with the understanding that they would pursue a peaceful solution through the Peace Mission proposals of1964. Earlier to this, both the Indian government and the Federal Government had agreed that the solution should be honorable and acceptable to both parties. On reaching Shillong they were accosted with the already drafted Shillong Accord document. When request was made to take the document back to Nagaland for discussion with their colleagues it was denied. They were instead told to go back to Chedema Peace camp and go back to the jungles. (I have never considered these national workers as non entities as alleged by you).
2. When the Shillong Accord was about to be signed, Keviyalie asked, “How should we sign our names as?” L.P. Singh replied “Of course as NNC and FGN representatives.” When Keviyalie counter quarried: “Have you withdrawn the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act which had earlier branded The NNC, The FGN and The Naga army as unlawful associations?,” On hearing this, both Ramuny and L.P. Singh left the room and after coming back said: “Sign it as Underground Representatives.” So they all signed the document without mentioning their official positions in the Naga national set up.
3. According to understandings arrived at, Phizo was officially deputed by the Federal Government to head the delegation for the peace talks. Up to Oct. 25, 1975 this position was held, but at the last moment, he was completely ignored and by-passed by the Indian Government.
4. As for the implementation of clause 11 of the Accord, submission of arms into the custody of the Nagaland Peace Council, was done only after the Supplementary Agreement was signed on 5th January 1976, by Biseto Medon, Pukrove Nakhro, Ramyo and Temjen with L.P. Singh. Next, a delegation was allowed to go to London to meet Phizo and persuade him to accept the terms of the Shillong Accord, but he refused to do so.
If inspite of all the facts, some Nagas would still insist that the united Naga house was brought down by Phizo himself because of the Shillong Accord, then let the family members of A.Z. Phizo and the NNC/FGN authorities reply to such allegations.
Mr Khekiye, despite your attempt to pass on an uncontaminated Naga history to our posterity, our history is already tainted with a lot of blood due to betrayals and traitorous acts.
Kaka D. Iralu
____________________________________________
Readers may please note that the contents of the articles, letters and opinions published do not reflect the outlook of this paper nor of the Editor in any form.
