Nagas refused to join the Union of India and instead, declared her own independence on August 14, 1947. That put Nagaland in a unique position as sovereign and not secessionist. The British divided Nagas into Nagas of India and Nagas of Myanmar. Sixteen-point agreement created Nagas of Nagaland, Nagas of Manipur, Nagas of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagas of Assam. Sixteen-point agreement also divided Nagas of Nagaland into underground and over-ground Nagas. 16-PA uprooted the spirit of Naga nationalism among the over-ground Nagas and tried failed to do so with the underground Nags but failed. Thus, the search for other options began by the GoI and Nagaland State government. In the search for other options, words like ‘Solution’ and ‘Settlement’ emerged in the lexicon of Indian leaders and leaders of the puppet State government. These words became household words in ceasefire period. Solution is the antonym of problem. Solution implies that there was problem. Nagas had no problem prior to India’s aggression in Nagaland. All problems started after India’s aggression and exist until today because of the presence of Indian occupational forces in Nagaland. The problem of India’s unlawful occupation is here in Nagaland and not in Delhi. That is why Nagas are demanding India to withdraw her forces. In short, the so-called problems were India’s creation. Nagas claim of having political dialogue with India as two equal entities but go to Delhi seeking solution from India. Nothing can be more contradictory than this. If some Nagas wrongly believe that Naga solution can be given by Delhi, the tall talk of entity ends.
Settlement pertains to a case in dispute. Nagas have no dispute whatsoever with Indians. It is as simple as, ‘Nagas are not Indians’ or in reverse, ‘Indians are not Nagas’. In other words, what belonged to India was India’s and what belonged to Nagaland was Nagaland’s. Nagas and Indians had nothing in common, racially, socio-culturally and politically. There was not even territorial dispute because no Indian King/Queen had ever conquered and ruled the Nagas. In fact, it was not even a case because there was nothing to argue.
So, what is it then? As early as in 1929, Nagas had determined their position that stated, “Leave us alone to determine for ourselves as in ancient times”. Since then, that position has not changed. That will be Naga position until India leaves Nagas alone.
In 1974, NNC made Naga stand clear that it is in the matter of international relationship that India and Nagaland can have negotiation. This is the only principle for political dialogue between India and Nagaland because sovereignty of either India or Nagaland is non-negotiable. Nagas and Indians, as two sovereign nation states, can negotiate for permanent regional peace. When problem and dispute are not the case, the question of final solution and permanent settlement within the constitution of India has no scope in the sovereignty of Nagaland. The only issue in question is to find permanent peace between India and Nagaland as two entity nation states. Permanent or lasting peace will be achieved only when India acknowledge and recognize the sovereignty of Nagaland as declared on August 14, 1947.
Dr. K. Hoshi, Phek Town
