NSCN-IM pats Govt of India
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Dimapur, August 14 2013: NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chisi Swu today expressed his appreciation to the government of India for taking 'the realistic step of taking a paradigm shift vis-a-vis the Naga issue' from military way solution to political while Naga National Council (NNC) president Adinno Phizo said India cannot claim Nagaland to be part of India.

Both Isak Swu and Adinno Phizo were addressing the 67th Naga Independence Day observation in their respective camps in Nagaland today.

NSCN-IM chairman Isak Swu said, "In the process of negotiation both the government of India and the NSCN have come as close as possible to understand the difficulties of each other.

The two entities are looking for a political solution acceptable to both.

Our people therefore may rest assured that NSCN leadership will never barter the future of the Nagas" .

Swu then said talking of freedom without land is like talking of a king without kingdom.

"All people and nations have their own land.

Nagalim is our inheritance from the Lord.

Our rights and freedom are inseparable from our land," stated the NSCN-IM chairman.

Recalling how Naga National Council (NNC) had failed nearly 40 years ago, Isak Swu said, "The Naga national movement that was started under the banner of NNC met a dead end with the signing of the Shillong Accord in 1975." Swu added, "When NNC failed terribly to uphold the national principle, it resulted in its downfall and de-recognition by the Naga people and the world and the declaration of Martial Law in 1978 by the pro-Accordist put the last nail to the coffin" .

According to the NSCN-IM chairman there was a vacuum in the Naga movement at that time and henceforth the NSCN was formed to lead the movement.

On the engagement with the government of India, Swu said, "We appreciate the leadership of India who took the realistic step of taking a paradigm shift vis-a-vis the Naga issue from military way solution to political." The NSCN-IM leader then said, "In the process of negotiation both the parties have come as close as possible to understand the difficulties of each other.

The two entities are looking for a political solution acceptable to both.

Our people therefore may rest assured that NSCN leadership will never barter the future of the Nagas" .

Meanwhile, "India cannot claim Nagaland to be part of India," said Naga National Council (NNC) president Adinno Phizo.

The daughter of legenday AZ Phizo said the Naga people declared their right of Independence before the British had relinquish their power to modern India.

Therefore, historically, India cannot claim Nagaland to be part of India.

There was no written treaty between Nagaland and Great Britain.

So there is no question of a 'hand over' of Nagaland to India.

"When members of the Simon Commission visited Nagaland in 1929, the Naga Club members on behalf of the Nagas, reminded them that the Nagas should be left alone to determine for themselves their ancient right to Independence.

The Nagas submitted a memorandum to His Majesty's Government stating their rights," Adinno stated.

"Before India had formally declared her independence from Great Britain, they sent the Constituent Assembly of India to Kohima in May, 1947 led by Mr.Gopinath Bordoloi and met the Naga National Council leaders to join the Indian Union.

The offer was refused.

Then the following month in June the Nine Point Agreement was given to the Naga National Council by India through Assam Governor Sir Akbar Hydari.

Therefore, it was crystal clear that India fully understood Nagaland was not a part of India," Adinno said.

According to her, India invaded Nagaland from 1954 onwards, which was against their non-violence principle.

Under the leadership of the visionary Naga leader, A.Z.Phizo, the Nagas fiercely defended their country without outside help.

Ceasefire was brought about by the Peace Mission and a Ceasefire Agreement was concluded between the Federal Government of Nagaland and the Government of India in 1964.The talks started between the two nations to solve the conflict.

The talks came to an end when the Government of India refused to accept the sovereignty of Nagaland.

Sovereignty is not a commodity and it is not a tool to bargain with, the NNC leader said.

"The Indian Government abrogated the Ceasefire Agreement on August 31, 1972 and their armed forces terrorised the people of Nagaland once again to submission.

In the course of time, concerned individuals in Kohima set up a Peace Council to alleviate the situation.

There, the much publicised 'Shillong Accord' came about.

Fortunately, at this particular time there was an Emergency declared in India where their Constitution was suspended.

An 'Accord' has to be between two nations with their respective leaders signing the agreement.

This 'Shillong Accord' was not signed between the Federal Government of Nagaland and the Government of India.

Without justification, certain persons misled some of our people and even killed their own fellow men," Adinno Phizo also said.

According to her, the conflict between Nagaland and India is not a political problem.

Because it is neither a political blunder on the part of the Nagas nor territorial dispute at any time between Nagaland and India.

Aggression is not a 'political problem' .

Over the last thirty three years, there is a political chaos going on created by the enemy to make it appear to the outside world that the Nagas are demanding and fighting for their independence from India.

But in the heart of the Nagas, they know their true national stand.

"We thank God for our beautiful country.

On this day we remember "Our forefathers who had laid the foundation for us to stand upon with dignity and without fear and we look forward to the future without worry or anxiety".

Let us march on and fully trust in the Lord for guidance for India to leave Nagaland and have a permanent peace in our country," Adinno Phizo said.

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