DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 5 (MExN): General (Retd) Thinuoselie M Keyho, President of the NNC today stated that when it comes to the Naga issue, “victory cannot be achieved through the use of arms and guns or physical strength but only by Honesty and Truth.”
“Victory is not possible by adopting crooked or evil means,” he stated in his message commemorating the 52nd anniversary of the ‘Indo- Naga Ceasefire Day.’
“The solution of the Naga issue may be a challenge to the wisdom and statesmanship of the Indian leaders. The Government of India may appear good or bad. Let the Government of India make the choice,” General (Retd) Thinuoselie stated.
On the 1964 ceasefire signed between the Government of India and the FGN, he stated that “Nagas starting from zero to that of signing a Ceasefire Agreement with Government of India was regarded as ample rewards for our sacrifices and effort; they have indirectly given us recognition. On top of this, it has already granted the “Nagaland State,” and to supersede all these, was going to have dialogue with us. We also believed that India was really sincere and wanted to solve the issue positively attended the Talk.”
On why the talks failed, General (Retd) Thinuoselie opined it was the “attitude of the Indians, their approach was not good.” “They were too proud and thought highly of themselves while they did not consider the Nagas as human beings and ill treated us,” he stated.
He further opined that “had they understood the Nagas, the Naga issue would have been solved long before, but the inability to solve the issue even after so many years is only because they do not understand the Nagas.”
He further lamented that the present peace talk “is being held only with NSCN (IM).” “What does this mean? How many times or with how many people will they sign the Ceasefire with?” he questioned.
During the 1964 Ceasefire, General (Retd) Thinuoselie said there was “unity among the Nagas. The people’s mandate was also there.” “How can the Issue be solved now in the absence of unity and mandate? The Government of India can neither fool the Nagas nor the world,” he added.
Keyho, however stated, “we Nagas believe that righteousness and truth will ultimately triumph.”
