DIMAPUR, FEB 23 (MExN): The NSCN (K) has clarified on what it termed as “the unfortunate split of NSCN way back in 1988”. “Hitherto, meticulously designed propagandas and fabricated documentaries of events and circumstances preceding the split and resultant blood letting has been systematically instilled particularly over Western Nagas in order to whitewash their crimes”, stated Brig. Niki Sumi Commander OBL.
Stating that truth has been buried for long and justice evaded, Brig. Niki pointed out that criminals were still at large and their atrocious tentacles entrenched deeper in their new conquered kingdom (Nagaland) in the form of NSCN-IM.
While terming the Naga struggle as not only political but also the struggle of suffering humanity and that humane ideals is therefore inalienable in the quest for freedom, the Brig lamented on the “extremist ideology and mis-interpreted communism” imported to Naga country. The NSCN (K) stated that this “arrogant despotic diktats were forcibly imposed on the democratic and freedom loving Nagas”.
Recalling that the Eastern Nagas who were illiterate and ignorant of the outside world those days but undoubtedly patriotic and innocent “were inhumanly exploited to the extent of murder at will”. “For instance the then Sgt. Jacob Tangkhul hacked to death one local porter merely because the porter failed to keep pace due to overloaded baggage”, it alleged and mentioned that Tangkhul workers treated Eastern Nagas as slaves and were subjected to unthinkable forms of humiliation stating that primates can be tamed only through violence and enslavement. “On the pretext of spreading Christianity and Education, these Tangkhuls who were comparatively far advanced exacted extreme hardships and humiliation upon the Eastern Nagas”, the NSCN (K) Brig stated.
Pointing out that all these acts of savagery failed to dampen the spirit of Eastern Naga brothers, the NSCN (K) stated that “finally they rose in public revolt against Tangkhul’s atrocities. Further it was alleged that Muivah and his Tangkhul coterie apprehending end of their survival in the East began plotting surrender to Indian Government by creating autonomous Wung Tangkhul State within India. “This plot was exposed and Muivah was summoned to give explanation to the Council but he failed to convince the councilors”.
While stating that trouble was brewing, tension and suspicions were running high, “but internal politics was not the main subject that led to split”, the NSCN (K) clarified.
Describing the aftermath, Brig Niki stated that the outburst of violent public anger resulted in the unfortunate loss of several Tangkhul lives. “NSCN members were alleged of having carried out discriminate killings against Tangkhuls, on the contrary hundreds of Tangkhul workers were given shelter and escorted safely to Nagaland from the hands of irate public by NSCN, except few cases of execution of proclaimed traitors”, the statement maintained.
The NSCN (K) informed that there were several dozen Tangkhuls including women in the same command during the time of incident, “surviving witness in the person of Maj. Tokiho’s wife (a Tangkhul lady) can relate as to the extent of decent and protective treatment accorded to those Tangkhuls in the custody of NSCN”.
Brig Niki also recalled what he described as an “eventful night” at Taka near Chindwin river on March 1987. “Around mid-night- NSCN Chairman Isak Chishi Swu called me and N. Kitovi Zhimomi the then SO and presently our Ato Kilonser to his bedroom and told us that Tangkhul brothers are plotting violent secession , therefore don’t loose even a single Sema sons until I return from foreign trip (Ten Days Commandment). Since then Isak Chishi Swu didn’t rejoin and we are still awaiting him patiently and expectantly with Sema sons as in compliance of his advice. But how many Naga’s sons of soils including Semas have perished and exterminated by your co-worker Muivah while you are still on your foreign trip? would you ever rejoin us with those lost sons, Is thousands of Naga lives still not enough to recover self-invited death of several Tangkhuls in 1988?” Brig Niki stated.
Further the questions raised to Swu were: “How many more Naga lives would you allow to be wasted in Tangkhuls vengeful backlash? Are you still being misled and forced to lead Tangkhul movement as you were way back in 1988?”
“Generation will come and generation will go and so the bloody carnage left behind your every footsteps shall pass on to succeeding generations in bleak testimony of the dark age in the history of Naga struggle endowed by your strayed leadership”, Brig Niki stated.
In conclusion, it was stated that “henceforth, the 1988 uprising of Eastern Naga people against Tangkhul’s atrocities should never be attributed to NSCN and the reign of terror over the Nagas in a similar fashion as perpetrated upon the Eastern Nagas should not be recreated and repeated in Nagaland”.
