Sovereignty, the only solution for all Nagas, says NSCN Yung Aung on Naga Republic Day

Ukhrul, Mar 21: At the very outset, I praise our Almighty God for His unending grace in sustaining and leading our Naga national movement and bringing us this far.

 I extend my best wishes to all my beloved Naga people on this auspicious occasion of our 45th Republic Day celebration. I salute you for standing with us in our most difficult times: your patriotism, love, and prayer support have kept our struggle alive and strong.

On this auspicious day, we remember and honor our valiant Naga fighters and martyrs whose priceless sacrifices and indomitable spirit remain a beacon of hope and strength for the ongoing Naga people’s movement. Their good deeds will continue to inspire our future generations.

 The Naga nation did not come into being by accident but came into existence as a result of a long hard struggle by the Nagas against dual colonialist and imperialist forces of India and Myanmar (erstwhile Burma) because our freedom and ways of life were threatened. The story of the Naga freedom struggle was written by the sweat, tears, and blood of patriotic Nagas. Despite unimaginable challenges, our people have valiantly stood their ground refusing to abandon the struggle. They have demonstrated their unwavering resilience during the past seven decades and have shown that they can overcome what lies ahead. Their strong determination and courage stand as proof that the Naga nation is resolute in continuing the struggle come what may.

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History has proven time and again that truth cannot be concealed and hidden away. It has shown that oppressed people cannot remain oppressed forever. At no point of time in history has the Nagas ever been subjugated to any foreign power. Nagas have firmly declared that their political condition and situation are unique because they have never been conquered nor have accepted to be under the Union of India or Burma. The decades of atrocities perpetrated by these occupational forces are well documented in the Naga history. However, these brutalities failed to suppress the spirit of the brave Nagas; it has only intensified and fortified their determination.

India remains indifferent to the struggle and sacrifices of the Nagas and instead portrays the NSCN/GPRN as a terrorist organization. India who regard self-defense as terrorism tends to forget her own political history. She must remember that if Bhagat Singh and Subhash Chandra Bose are not terrorists; neither are the Nagas. Even if every Naga is branded as a terrorist, we will never surrender our freedom. We have never threatened anyone; nor do we tolerate threats from anyone. We will not be intimidated by falsehood whatever the price may be, we are determined and steadfast in our stand. The alternative is not to surrender to injustice.

Through their repressive ‘Divide and Destroy’ policy, both India and Myanmar have fully encouraged factionalism and proxies within Nagas, on the grounds it acts as a second force to counter and crush the genuine Naga revolutionaries and weaken our struggle for independence. They will never succeed in thwarting the Naga liberation movement regardless of their horrendous aggression and crimes, because Nagas are the masters of their own future. God has destined the Nagas to live together as one people and one nation. No power on earth can undo the will of God for He has given us sovereignty over our land and it is our Sovereign duty to defend it. Sovereignty isn’t just our dream – it’s the foundation of the Naga nation’s right to govern, protect our land, preserve our cultures, and identity, and to freely fly our national flag.

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Presently, India is working relentlessly to distort the Naga history and erase their true identity. The arbitrary decision taken by the GOl in the so-called Arunachal Pradesh in collusion with the puppet state government to delete the Naga identity is strongly condemned and rejected by all the Nagas. The word ‘NAGA’ is the very fabric of unity and oneness among Nagas. Furthermore, the construction of the border fence along the imposed border is another insidious attempt to alter the demographic of the Naga area and divide the Naga family permanently. This move is illegal and resistance will be mounted at all levels to counter this encroachment on our rights. Any Naga MLA, public leader, or organization found harmonizing with this divisive policy will be classified as anti-Nagas. Whosoever betrayed the sacrifices of the Naga nation and bargained the Naga people’s blood for personal gains will be held accountable by history.

Dear Nagas, at this critical juncture, NSCN/GPRN recognizes and welcomes our people’s call for healing, restoration, and reconciliation that might preserve our unity, and territorial integrity and protect our nation from the evil of conflict and sedition. But we firmly believe and emphasize, that no solution will justify the supreme sacrifices made by thousands of Nagas, so long as it does not recognize our national Independence. There should be only one solution for all Nagas and it will be the sovereignty solution.

Over the years, Nagas has been through a lot of contradictions, challenges, conflicts, and temptations. But one thing is clear: Naga history cannot be interpreted according to the whims of any political group or any individual for no Naga is above the national principle or above righteousness.

Nagas need to know that there is a better future ahead than the one envisaged for them. And I believe that future generations of Nagas can one day look back with pride that we were on the right side of history.

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We have to stay on course and although we will continue to be challenged, history has shown that we can overcome these odds. Our freedom will come and we will succeed.

 May God bless our Nagaland. Kuknalim

Yung Aung

( This is the speech of Yung Aung, President, Government of the People’s Republic of Nagaland, on 45th Naga Republic Day )