Senapati: Marking the 73rd year, the All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM), organized a commemoration of Naga Plebiscite Day at Maram Union Conference Hall, Old Monday Market, Senapati.
The Naga Plebiscite was conducted on May 16, 1951, to reaffirm the declaration of Naga Independence announced before the world on 14th August 1947. It was on this day when 99.9% Nagas voted for a Sovereign Naga Nation with their thumb impressions.
In his welcome address, Luikang Luckson, President of ANSAM, stated that the day was observed as a significant and historic one in the history of Southern Nagalim for the first time on record. While remembering the tall and great Naga leaders who made supreme sacrifices for the nation, the student leader asserted opposition to and condemnation of the divisive rule and policies of the Indian and Burmese governments by disintegrating their territories divided by artificial boundaries. On this day, ANSAM’s President called upon the Government of India to seek an honorable and acceptable political solution with Nagalim and NSCN/GPRN by honoring the letter and spirit of the Framework Agreement signed on 3rd August 2015. The student leader also called upon the international community to support and recognize the unique history and sovereign political rights of all struggling nations to initiate political actions for the resolution of the conflict. Luckson urged all to take a resolute stand and march forward together in unison to protect and safeguard the people, their land, their identity, and their rights without fear and without reproach.
Also read | Naga Students’ Union, Delhi Commemorates Naga Plebiscite Day, Calls for Renewed Commitment to Naga Cause
Speaking as the guest speaker, Kraibo Chawang, Member of the Collective Leadership, NSCN, GPRN, stated that there is no world record of the Nagas being part of India, not by agreement. In 1950, the senior leader stated that a strong wave happened in 1950 when Sardar Patel, the Iron Man of India, brought 565 princely states of India to the Indian Union. Nagas were also invited to Shillong in 1951, where the first NNC President denied being under the Indian Union, stating he could not take the curse of the people when Independence was declared in 1947. According to Greek philosophy, village administration is also a nation-state that was practiced. The Nagas fought 11 times against the invasion of the British when they first came to Kohima, reaffirming their refusal of colonial rule. The senior leader asserted standing against any force claiming one’s rights and properties. When the 1951 Naga Plebiscite was conducted with thumb impressions, 99.9% of Nagas voted for a Sovereign Naga nation. Different acts were implemented in Naga areas like the Disturbed Area Act in 1955, AFSPA in 1958, and Naga Restricted Area of 1963 were implemented with the aim to completely suppress the Nagas. When God has given one’s share, it is the people who must protect, he said. The last round of talks was stated to have been held in November last year, with Chawang stating that they got fed up with the game of the Government of India.
On the point of talking with the Government of India, Chawang stated that there is no point of talk, terming it as endless, meaningless, and fruitless talk, although the Indo-Naga leaders have been holding talks for more than 3 years, stating the Government of India is not for a solution. Having signed the Framework agreement, the Government of India was stated to be regretted to have signed the agreement. Talking on the agreed positions, the senior NSCN leader stated that the agreed position was signed to disown the Framework agreement. In case the talk fails, the senior leader stated that there are so many International communities like the International Court of Justice in the Netherlands who are very much aware of the agreement, which is a documented signed agreement. Chawang lamented that the Government of India is trying to run away from the Framework agreement, which he called an International document that was live telecasted in all leading TV news channels, signed in the presence of the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, Defence Minister, and other designated officials. The collective leadership member also explained the contents of the Framework agreement signed between the Government of India and the NSCN/GPRN in the year 2015. Urging all not to be discouraged, the senior leader stated that when the right time comes, God will deliver it.
The United Naga Council, Naga Women’s Union, Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights-South, Joint Tribe Council, and the Chandel Naga People’s Organization shared their solidarity messages during the program. Units and subordinate bodies of ANSAM, tribe Hohos, District apex bodies, Naga churches, politicians, social activists, intellectuals, and well-wishers attended the program.
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