Unveiling bare facts of Naga political struggle

SC Jamir
Former CM & Governor

Time has come to unveil bare facts of Naga political struggle to set at right all imaginary or exaggerated depictions of the Naga political saga or epic. The following political imperatives must be understood while talking about the Naga political struggle. It is made know to one and all that submission of a Memorandum to Simon Commission in 1929 was made by the people of Nagaland only. The was first explicit expressions of the political aspiration of the people. The Simon Commission consisted of seven members under the Chairmanship Sir John Allsebrook Simon and (co-chair) Clement Atlee to study the Constitutional reforms in India. Formation of the Naga National Council at Wokha now a district of Nagaland. After the World War II when colonial countries even including that were under British Empire started freedom movement Nagas of Nagaland also started their freedom movement for a separate Home Land of their own. No other Naga tribes outside Nagaland participated in this movement. It was born and fully matured in the soil of Nagaland. Unfortunately, is has been hijack by alien elements.

The voluntary Plebiscite conducted by the NNC under the leadership of AZ Phizo in 1951 was done by the people of Nagaland (Naga Hills). The mandate was given to the NNC. As a matter of Naga National Council is not an underground organization. It is the Political Institution of the People of Nagaland. Unfortunately, today even NNC have been badly fragmented into several factions. It has become extremely difficult to make out which is what? NNC had given birth to nearly 37 factions. This is the paradox of Naga politics. From 1946 to 1954 the entire people of Nagaland stood solidly behind the NNC. When armed conflicts started in the early part of 1955, the entire Naga areas were engulfed into violence and bloodsheds. Houses and granaries were burnt, men folks were herded to jails and the remaining folks were daily engaged in forced labor, remaining village were grouped and stockaded. Agricultural cultivations were denied resulting into famine and disease. The people of Nagaland had to suffer unseen, unknown, unheard, unlove and uncared by the outside world. Have the southern Nagas shown any sympathy when the Nagas of Nagaland had been living is such a terrible agony? Reply is big “NO”!! Where were they at that time? This is a matter that deserves serious consideration by one and all. The formation of the Naga Peoples Convention in 1957 was a landmark/milestone in the history of the Naga political movement. Armed conflicts between the Indian Security forces and the Naga underground had consequently made the Naga movement at the brink of a precipice. It was exclusively at the initiative of leaders of Nagaland the hopes and aspirations of the people of Nagaland were salvaged. For the state of Nagaland, a generation of the people had to live in blood and sacrifices. Who are those people, obviously the people of Nagaland. It was at the instance of Nagaland Baptist Association at its meeting at Wokha initiated Ceasefire in Nagaland which was supported by the Interim Body Government, NNO and Democratic Party. It had the full support and blessings of the people of Nagaland. From thence political negotiation started between Naga Federal Government an GOI. It was at the appeal of the people of Nagaland ceasefire was arranged. The present ceasefire appears to be a voluntary decision of the NSCN (IM) themselves as the state government was not consulted in this matter. Keeping in view of all these political imperatives, it would all sections of the Naga community, let the issue of mandate or advocacy be left to the people of Nagaland only. The historical records shall speak loudly about the legitimate progenitor/ precursor of the Naga political struggle.

It is my appeal humbly to both NSCN (IM) and NPF leadership that at least implement the Framework agreement as the people of Nagaland who have become the victims of No solution are yearning for peace and normalcy in our land. In response to the cry of the people of Nagaland every well-meaning people and concerned organizations are making appeal to the signatories of the two agreements to implement them. NNPGs made its position clear to the Nagas by circulating the document of the Agreed Position and the people are fully aware of its contents, whereas the NSCN (IM) had kept its competencies as secret document but with no valid reason the Framework Agreement of 3rd August 2015 is absolutely clear to all concerned. Sovereignty and integration do not figure in the agreement; it means that the Framework Agreement is obviously within the Constitution of India. It was signed in the presence of the Prime Minister, Home Minister and National Security Advisor. It must be noted that no Prime Minister however popular may be shall not allow any political Agreement outside of the Constitution nor should he allow two sovereignties in the same country? When Framework is within the Indian Constitution, any competencies if need to be included in the Constitution it shall come to Indian Parliament and incorporated as Article 371 A. The Framework Agreement of 3rd August 2015 is a formal political document duly signed by both the parties i.e. NSCN (IM) and Government of India, wherein sovereignty and Integration do not figure. Some sort of autonomy for the Naga areas of Manipur and Arunachal shall be in the form of Six Scheduled of the Indian Constitution. At this stage the state government should not interpret Framework against the spirit and the real significance of the said agreement. It is not the time to dig out issues which are archaic or redundant. At this stage the Ruling party of Nagaland NPF had chosen to sing the very old tune along with the secessionist groups as if the entire Naga politics hang over the letter to Shilu by SC Jamir. Prime Minister had clarified this in his statement by saying that he was prepared to meet AZ Phizo in consultation with P Shilu Ao, the Chief Executive Councilor of Interim Body of Nagaland. Accordingly, while I was touring USA in 1963, I went to meet AZ Phizo with the permission of the Prime Minister. I stayed with him at Bromly Kent from 3rd to 5th August 1963. We had full discussion on all matters and ultimately, he had agreed to come to India to meet the Prime Minister. I had made all necessary arrangements for the meeting at Shillong. It was most unfortunate that there were differences among the Executive Councilors. Some had agreed to meet Phizo before election and the other group wanted to meet him only after the Assembly election of 1964. Let those who have nothing to for early solution of the present political quagmire let them harangue on the letter to Shilu This is the time to avoid blame games because we know our status visa vis Naga politics so also by now our brothers who are from other states should be aware of. It is sure and certain that once solution is made everything will come to its proper place by themselves.