The Nagas do not demand this present state but they demand their Independence based on 1929 memorandum and 1951 Plebiscite under the following slogans:-
(a) Nagas are not Indian
(b) The land of Nagas do not belong to India
(c) The Nagas shall not tax to India
(d) And the Nagas are govern with its own unique customary laws.
The Nagas had declared and proclaimed their Independence day on 14th August 1947 that one day ahead of the Indian Independent. But the Britishers left India declaring her Independence on 15th August 1947 without taking any decision on the Nagas genuine issue. Therefore, to press for their Sovereign right, Nagas have conducted their plebiscite on 16th May 1951 based on 9th point’s agreement and in which 99% of the Nagas have shown their solidarity and the same was submitted to India and UNO. Further, in the said plebiscite the Village Chiefs leads their villagers to participate in the significant event under the banner of the NNC led by President A Z Phizo. In such a manner, Nagas have proved to the World by sacrificing its own bloods to protect and preserved its traditional rights. Nevertheless, the said political issue between the GOI and Nagas is yet to be finalized and the Village Chief of Nagaland and their respective villagers provides rations to Naga National workers since 1947.
In the year 1952, the Naga Village Chiefs along with their villagers totally boycotted the first Indian parliamentary election in Naga inhabited areas. However, instead of amicable settlement of the issue the Indian have sent her army to Naga inhabited areas and burnt down almost all of their villages and properties into ashes, killed thousands of Naga innocent lives, raped and molested their womenfolks, chased the whole villagers into wilderness from their respective native village thereby hundreds of them were starved to death. Many were tortured physically and mentally and for which wrongful act those victims become paralyzed. Hence, the Naga Village Chiefs along with their villagers are still crying for the horrible act done against them by the India and saying till today that the Government of India is very bad.
During 1958-59 while, the UNO was about to declare Naga Independent, GOI on hearing about the said news, offered a Statehood to Nagas under 16th Points Agreement which was signed by some overground leaders without the consent of the leaders of NNC. Also talks were started after declaring General Amnesty between the GOI and Naga underground during 1964 through the effort of the NBCC Peace Mission. And during which that point of talk time, the Nagas demanded Rupee 1/- from the GOI but it offer only 75 paisa which was declined by the Nagas and the same is still kept for long pending.
Thus, after the death of AZ Phizo the Father of the Naga Nation, the Naga National Workers breakup into many factions. However, based on the historical right of the Nagas, every National workers and their leaders irrespective of the different factions never end up to negotiate for bringing an amicable political final settlement between the Nagas and Indian. Therefore, it may be stated here that, in order to bring final settlement, we have look back from where the Nagas have started their Movement and voiced its right before the world. It is firm to state here that, only when Indian realized what mistakes they have done towards the Nagas in the past and wipe out the tears from the faces of the Nagas by paying handsome compensation after tender her unconditional apology before the Nagas and also to implement the 9th points agreement, then only the leaders of the various Naga Underground and GOI will find out the ways for an amicable settlement. GOI should not play games with Nagas by saying ‘Yes’ yesterday and ‘No’ today. Or else it may invite more problems as the Nagas also have their brothers and sisters in many countries. The covenant made between the Nagas and GOI stating not to disturb or interfere the uniqueness of Nagas have kept each other close, but it is lamentable that Indian have failed on her part to implement many of those points till today.
The majority of Nagas have been with Indian patiently for the last five to six decades awaiting for implementation of those agreement points. However, the divide and rule policy of the GOI have still kept us apart from coming together. For that matter, the efforts of the Churches, the NGOs and the FNR have miserably failed to bring the different factions of Nagas under one umbrella though they called themselves as ‘Apex’ body.
Therefore, the village chiefs are willing to bring unity among the Naga underground leaders of various factional workers as they have authority to initiate the issue for the interest of the Nagas. The Village Chiefs of Nagaland also assure that the Village Chiefs can sign or put their thumb impressions on any rightful and amicable settlement on behalf of the Nagas, whereas others NGOs do not have such authority. And for which, the village chiefs (GBs) of Nagaland appeal the leaders of all factions of Naga National workers to keep their knowledge of “Our Willingness” for the Naga unity which is likely to convene all the leaders within 90 days from the date of publication of this appeal.
T L Angami
Founder and Advisor
Village Chief/GB Federation, Nagaland
