'Solidarity' brings Nagas together at Ukhrul NSF Conference
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, August 25 2023:
For the Nagas, 'Solidarity' is more than just a word - it is a commitment to supporting and standing up for their people as one, no matter where they are.
It is a commitment to justice, and to understanding the suffering that each of them has gone through - making them one beyond borders.
It is this unifying spirit that defined the true essence of the 30th Naga Students' Federation (NSF) General Conference, which began Thursday, with much cultural and fraternal favour.
The three-day general conference is being hosted by Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) at the public ground, Wino bazaar in Ukhrul district headquarters.
Held under the theme 'Solidarity Beyond Borders', the event drew over 1000 delegates from various Naga student organisations across borders, converging in Manipur's hilly town to spread the message of unity as the only way for the Nagas to truly achieve their political aspirations and goals, and to ensure an honourable future for generations to come.
Speaking on the theme of exegesis, Nagaland University, Kohima Campus, Meriema provice chancellor Prof GT Thong emphasised that solidarity should be our commitment to strengthen ourselves and care for our people with concern for justice no matter where they are within and beyond the borders.
A sense of solidarity is essential for protecting our collective welfare and for advocating justice for our people and irrespective of the artificial boundaries, he observed, adding that all Naga brethren must be protected from exploitation and maltreatment at the hands of any outside forces.
"We must stand together and speak up against any and all forms of injustice that affects any Naga person.
Through solidarity and unity, we can have a voice and be heard despite being geographically divided by artificial boundaries," he said.
Nagas must move beyond the bonds of our state and international boundaries to fight for their rights, Prof Thong felt, while asserting that 'dedication to unity and oneness' is the essence of our future.
"We must understand that divisiveness and infighting among Nagas will only lead to suffering and untold miseries," he said.
Prof Thong's sentiments were echoed during the conference which has been a strong advocate for unity and solidarity of the Nagas on all issues in Northern region, concerning the Naga people.
In his presidential address, NSF president Kegwayhun Tep said: "This is not just an ordinary event but one that is to reason out together and strengthen solidarity among the Nagas".
He said that Naga people are prepared to put their differences aside and work towards finding a solution, reminding that the peace process cannot be taken for granted.
"We want to send a message to neighbours, time for them to understand the history and aspirations of the Nagas for peace to prevail in the region," he said.
The general conference kicked off amid heavy downpour on Thursday evening.
A monolith was also unveiled by honoured guest MLA & advisor School Education & SCERT, Nagaland Dr Kekhrielhoulie Yhome at Lavi kaphung some 10km, off Ukhrul town on Friday.
Outer MF Dr Lorho S Pfoze also attended as special guest.
In the context of the on-going communal conflict in Manipur, NSF president Kegwayhun Tep, also made an earnest appeal to both the Kuki and Meitei brethren to look beyond the enmity and strive to find a solution to the on going conflict.
Various cultural showcases also enthralled the gathering.
The NSF said that from the very inception of the Federation as an organisation in 1947 then and up till now, it has had its share of "ups and downs" under varying situations and circumstances.
"The initial years of its existence were full of interruptions which witnessed the most turbulent political upheavals of those times across the entire Naga nation, where community elders, religious leaders, women, youth and students face the brunt of gross human rights violations, perpetrated through extreme Indian military atrocities, where it was almost impossible for NSF to even function.
But the sheer determination and the need to respond to the call of duty in the service of the nation at that time was more important than to shy away even from the face of death, which has brought NSF thus far.
The same is true even in today's situation where the entire Naga society is now caught in internal contradictions where the tentacle of divisions has penetrated into every section of the society," it said.
But there is something that will never change where NSF as an apex Naga student organisation will forever stand for the fact that "Nagas are One People and One Nation", for which, it has never recognized the arbitrary bifurcation of the Naga homeland under two international foreign countries on one hand and further division of its people, land and territories under 4 (four) Indian militarily occupied states, and un der some Self-Administered Zone in Burma's (Myanmar) Military Junta, without the knowledge or consent of the Naga people, NSF said.
"NSF elders before us have done their bits.
Yet, the treat of divisions and the imposition of colonial mind-set on today's Nagas are ever on the rise.
Every day on the pages of Peace Talks and Ceasefires, we can see the clear writings on the walls, which calls on us to respond to the needs of the hour, to stand up for our rights to live in dignity for which our ancestors have sacrificed...
And we choose to stand up for our rights".
The Federation will, in whatever way possible, stand for the rights of the Naga people as envisioned by our creator and rightfully pursued by our ancestors and elders, and side by side stand with our indigenous brothers and sisters in earnest Solidarity beyond Borders, the apex student body added.
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