Naga flag, constitution non-negotiable: Th Muivah
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Hebron, August 14 2025: NSCN/GPRN Ato Kilonser Th Muivah has reiterated that the Nagalim national flag, the Nagalim national constitution (Yehzabo), and the integration of all contiguous Naga areas are non-negotiable.

"We have our history and our sovereign rights.

We will uphold our unique history and sovereignty, whether today or tomorrow.

We do not ask anything from India or Myanmar; we assert what is rightfully ours.

Therefore, the unique history of Nagalim, our territory, sovereignty, national flag, constitution, and the integration of all contiguous Naga areas are non-negotiable," he stated in his message to the Naga nation, which was read out during the 79th Nagalim Independence Day celebrations at the Council headquarters at Hebron in Peren district, Nagaland on Thursday.

Naga flag, constitution non-negotiable: Th Muivah

Muivah was supposed to hoist the Naga National flag for the celebration but could not make it due to medical reasons, although his better-half Pakahao Muivah was present.

Muivah was reportedly admitted to a hospital in Dimapur last week due to age-related ailments and is recuperating at home.

In his place, NSCN/GPRN chairman (Yaruiwo) Q Tuccu hoisted the flag in the presence of 'Longvibu' of Naga Army Gen Ningkhan Anthony Shimray, Collective Leadership member Rh Raising and other leaders from both the civil and army setups.

If India and Myanmar respect the Nagas' history, Nagas will reciprocate tenfold, Muivah warranted in his message.

On the occasion, he also reminded the Naga public of the 23rd anniversary of the Amsterdam Joint Communique signed on July 11, 2002, and the 10th anniversary of the Framework Agreement signed on August 3, 2015, asserting that these agreements confirm the Nagas are not a lost people.

"Let us give glory to our Almighty God for sustaining the Naga nation and granting us the courage to assert our political rights as a nation.

The harsh reality of history is painful as we commemorate the 79th Naga Independence Day today, August 14, 2025 .

We are oppressed by invading nations, India and Myanmar.

Nagalim declared independence a day before India, which celebrates its 79th Independence Day tomorrow.

This is the painful irony of our history".

He recounted the brutal records of the Naga political struggle, highlighting the inhumane suppression initiated under India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

"He (Nehru) rejected the notion of the Naga people's political assertion for independence.

To enforce his control over the Naga political movement, he introduced the draconian Armed Forces' Special Powers Act (AFSPA) of 1958, aimed at suppressing our rights".

He noted that while the world condemned this act, the Government of India remained defiant.

"We have proven Nehru wrong in our fight for the right to exist as a sovereign nation.

We thank God for giving us the strength to uphold our identity," he said.

On the occasion, Muivah reflected on the beginnings of the Indo-Naga Political Talks, prompted by the recognition of the conflict as political.

He credited former Indian Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao, who, on June 12, 1995, in Paris, stated, "I believe in a political solution.

We must solve this through political talks" .

The NSCN supremo recalled it as a pivotal moment that led to the ceasefire declaration between the NSCN and the Government of India on July 25, 1997, paving the way for formal discussions on August 1, 1997, based on three principles that the talks would be unconditional, would be held at the Prime Ministerial level, and outside India in a third country.

Muivah pointed out that over 600 rounds of talks have taken place, emphasising that military confrontations were provoked by the treatment of Naga nationalism as "secessionist".

With the signing of the Amsterdam Joint Communique and the Framework Agreement, the Government of India acknowledged the "unique history and position" of the Nagas and accepted that sovereignty lies with the people.

"As we celebrate the milestones achieved through these agreements, we recognise the contributions of past Naga leaders who championed our history and sovereignty.

We must also acknowledge the roles of Indian leaders whose understanding guided the course of our history and enabled these significant agreements".

He expressed gratitude to international organisations that supported the Naga cause, which contributed to the ceasefire and the start of the peace process.

The NSCN's membership in the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO) on January 23, 1993, was seen as a landmark achievement, allowing the Naga national flag to stand proudly in institutions advocating for human rights and self-determination.

Th Muivah expressed gratitude to all Naga tribes and civil society organisations for their unwavering support.

"We must maintain eternal vigilance to protect our God-given history.

Let us honour our creator by upholding our freedom in our hearts and minds," he said.

Recounting the milestones achieved with the signing of the Amsterdam Joint Communique of July 11, 2002 and the Framework Agreement of 3rd August, 2015, he reminded that the achievement is a result of the seed planted by our past Naga leaders T Aliba Imti, AZ Phizo, T Sakhrie, Scato Swu, Khodao Yanthan, Isak Chishi Swu and several others who have stood uprightly for the Nagalim history and sovereignty.

The leaders of India including Mahatma Gandhi, Rajagopalachari, PV Narasimha Rao, HD Deve Gowda, IK Gujral, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Dr Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi whose understanding and counsel on the Indo-Naga conflict also guided the course of the history and have enabled the official signing of the Amsterdam Joint Communique of July 11, 2002 and the Framework Agreement of 3rd August, 2015 between the Gol and the NSCN.

He also acknowledged the roles of the representatives of the Government of India for the Indo-Naga peace talks for their conclusive contribution towards the signing of the two historic agreements, including Swaraj Kaushal, K Padmanabhaiah, Oscar Fernandes (former union minister), RS Pandey and RN Ravi, apart from noted human rights lawyer and activist, Nandita Haksar and others like Michael C Van walt van Praag of Kreddha as "third party mediator".

They helped sustain the Indo-Naga peace process in difficult times.

He also thanked the international organisations who acted as the main pillars in "our international campaign on Nagalim" as such support contributed to the signing of the ceasefire on July 25, 1997 and the start of the Indo Naga peace process between the Gol and the NSCN from the 1st August, 1997.Mention may be made of organisations like the Society for Threatened People, International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA), KWIA-Support Group for Indigenous Peoples, Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation (UNPO) and several others.

The United Nations (UN) and its various human rights mechanisms including the United Nation Working Group on Indigenous Peoples (UNWGIP), Permanent Forum, the UN Sub Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights within the ECOSOC and others provided the much-needed platform for the NSCN and the Naga civil societies to highlight Nagalim situation to the international audience.

"The NSCN becoming the UNPO member on January 23, 1993 was momentous and ground breaking.

Today, the Nagalim national flag stands proudly in the institutions that support human rights and self-determination of nations and peoples".

"To the Naga tribes and civil society organisations (CSOs) from different places in India and Burma (Myanmar) I cannot thank them enough for their selfless services and cooperation against all odds as they stood up firmly to the occasion in times of conflict and peace," he said, acknowledging all the Naga civil societies like Naga Hoho, Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organisation (ENPO), Tirap Changlang Longding Peoples Forum (TCLPF), Global Naga Forum (GNF), United Naga Council (UNC) from south Nagalim and Naga tribe organisations from Myanmar, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), Naga women organisations including the Naga Mothers Association (NMA), Naga Women's Union (NWU), Manipur, the student fraternity including the Naga Students' Federation (NSF), All Naga Students' Association Manipur (ANSAM), Naga students' unions (Delhi, Shillong, Tirap, Changlang, Long-ding), Dimapur Naga Students' Union (DNSU), Eastern Naga Students' Federation (ENSF), Naga Students' Organisation (NSO) Myanmar, etc.

He also acknowledged individuals, organisations and committed well-wishers from mainland India and elsewhere, for their unwavering and unfailing support to the Indo-Na-ga peace process.

A silent prayer was observed in honour of the martyrs, led by CNC general secretary Rev.Sekshim Kasar.

During the celebration, solidarity messages were shared from various organisations, including the Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers' Association (NMA), Global Naga Forum (GNF), UNC, Tirap Changlang Longding People's Forum, Naga People's Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), and Naga Students Federation (NSF).

The event also featured a range of patriotic songs performed by various artistes, alongside a folk dance presented by the Marok Dibuia Cultural Club from Dimapur.