Dimapur, August 1 (MExN): “Major General” Niki Sumi of the “GPRN/NSCN” has asserted that the “dramatic transformation of Nagas from primitive to modernity within a span of four, five decades — the driving forces behind such changes is the ‘Naga national movement.’” In a press note received here Sumi pointed out that the determination of the Nagas in pursuit of her goal “countered by India’s firm thrust to quell the same, serve as catalyst of transformation and changes”.
“Today, we see a paradigm shift in the entire political, economic and social scenario of the Nagas. The tremendous development of the Nagas especially in the field of human resources global exposure, infrastructure and economic developments etc, despite ill-effects still stems from Naga freedom struggle”, he claimed.
Had there been no Naga struggle, he added, ‘Nagas would have still remained stagnant and isolated under Assam state.’
“Like erstwhile administrative arrangement represented by lone legislature in the Assam legislative assembly instead of what we have today, sixty MLAs, two MPs, sixty secretaries, etc with complete and unique autonomy”. The note asserted that although the achievements are not ‘final and ultimate,’ one cannot deny the ‘growth and progress brought about by the struggle.’
Niki also pointed out that the “discriminative and hypocritical tendencies of certain affluent and enlightened sections of the Nagas especially those in the helm of affairs in repudiating the contributions of Naga national workers in the making of Nagaland today is quite paradoxical”. He said “millions of rupees are pumped into Nagaland and millions siphoned off every year, whereas developments remain dismal”. While admitting that in some cases, “vested underground elements may have abetted such crimes but on the whole, the deal is a bigger conspiracy of the assorted bureaucrats, politicians and high officials to escape accountability”, he stated, adding that the “image of the national workers is tarnished thus and plight of common toiling aggravated”.
