'Shared sovereignty' on the card, claims TNL
Source: The Sangai Express

Ukhrul/Senapati, August 27 2015: Shared sovereignty is on the card in the nearly two decades long Indo- Naga peace process as a key component of an amicable, peaceful and lasting solution to the Naga issue.

This was stated by TNL president Weapon Zimik while addressing the 67th Martyrs' Day observance at TNL hall here.

He said that the Manipur Nagas have struggled for integration of Naga areas and raised opposition to keeping Naga areas under the administrative jurisdiction of Manipur.

In 1948, under the able leadership of S Daiho, Nagas had raised strong voice against the attempt to keep the Naga areas under the administrative control of Manipur State, Zimik said.

A strong Naga movement known as "No hill tax payment" was launched in 1948 .

Three Naga leaders �Asiisii Hepuni, Mahrili Lorhrii and Modo Kholi, gave up their lives for the cause of Naga integration in the course of the movement.

The Martyrs' Day was observed to commemorate their death.

Two minutes silence was observed in remembrance of the Naga leaders today.

TNL president Weapon Zimik quoted Th Muivah's recent speech reportedly delivered at the Naga people consultative meet at Dimapur.

"Why should we (Nagas) segregate ourselves by terms such as Manipur Nagas, Arunachal Nagas or Assam Nagas? This is unnecessary segregation among ourselves which is also causing an impediment to the integration process," Weapon Zimik quoted Muivah.

The TNL president further said that under the Pan Naga Hoho, Nagas will be allotted separate budget and it will be on the basis of 'shared sovereignty.' Former presidents of TNL P Peter, Ngalengai Ramsan and Vakham Zimik recalled on the chronology of Manipur Nagas struggle for Naga integration movement.

The leaders said that in 1948, "No Hill tax payment" movement was launched to protest keeping of Naga areas under the administrative jurisdiction of Manipur State with vigour.

The sacrifices of three Nagas in the course of the movement ultimately gave birth to Naga political movement demanding of Naga areas under the able leadership of S Daiho, the TNL leaders said.

In 1970, Manipur Naga convention was held at Mao Gate, where Peter Pheiray was the sessional secretary.

The convention adopted five resolutions based on the Naga integration movement.

Later, Naga Integration Committee was also formed, they recalled.

The Naga Integration Committee and the then ruling Congress Government had arrived at a political agreement.

And at the same time, a memorandum address to the Prime Minister of India was also drafted for submission based on the Naga demand for integration and Nagas opposition of merger agreement, they said.

The programme today was attended by all Tangkhul zonal chairmen, intellectuals and well wishers.

The 67th Naga Martyrs' Day was also organised by Mao Council at Mao toen hall.

Paying floral tributes to the photos of the three martyred leaders and speeches marked the observance programme.

M Dili, president of Mao Council in his keynote address said that the No Tax campaign in 1948 was a landmark in the history of Naga political movement.

Chief guest of the function, Moses, president of NPO said that the sacrifices of the three martyrs should strengthen the Naga people conviction towards unity.

He also suggested the inclusion of the martyrdom of the three leaders in Mao textbooks.

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