KOHIMA, AUG 14: Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs) convenor N. Kitovi Zhimomi on Friday urged the Government of India to create political and administrative space for the recognition of Naga history and identity without altering existing state or international boundaries.
Addressing the 80th Naga Independence Day on August 14, Zhimomi said the Naga people had chosen to co-exist with India while retaining their right to self-determination in keeping with their distinct history and identity.
He referred to the Framework Agreement and Agreed Position, signed in 2015 and 2017 respectively, as reflecting the Naga people’s understanding of contemporary political realities.
Zhimomi said the agreements provided the basis for broadening and strengthening political and administrative mechanisms within India’s federal structure through constitutional amendments.
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“This would allow the Nagas to play a strategic role in the Act East plan,” he said.
He said the division of Naga-inhabited areas across four Indian states and Myanmar was a consequence of historical circumstances and called for steps to address the issue without changing existing boundaries.
“Appropriate political and administrative steps and space must be created to recognise and respect Naga history and identity,” Zhimomi said.
On the continuing divisions within the Naga political movement, Zhimomi said distrust, disloyalty, political differences and the formation of multiple groups had weakened the movement.
He alleged that over the past 15 years, some of his former senior colleagues and commanders had formed separate groups and governments, which he said had weakened the Naga political movement.
However, Zhimomi said he had no ill will towards former colleagues who had formed new organisations, maintaining that all Naga groups remained committed to a common political objective.
“On the Naga issue, all are on the same table. One goal, one vision,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the different Naga political groups could work together with equal participation and shared responsibilities towards what he described as an “honourable and acceptable” political solution.
Zhimomi also said the “Status Paper” of the WC, NNPGs and its addendum papers clearly outlined the proposed Naga solution.
Reflecting on Naga history, he described August 14, 1947 as an important milestone in the Naga political movement and said the day continued to represent the Naga aspiration for self-rule.
He ended his address with the slogan “Kuknalim” and a call for the Naga people to remain committed to the pursuit of a political settlement.
