Ukhrul: The Tangkhul Naga Foothills Organisation hosted a public discourse on Indo-Naga political talk with General Ningkhan Shimray (MC, VC), Longvibu Naga Army cum Coordinator Indo-Naga Peace Talk at Sada Lungthar on Dec 10, 2023.
Thousands of Naga settling in the foothills of Manipur thronged Sada Lungthar to witness the Longvibu and to understand the ongoing Indo-Naga peace talks. Representatives from Tangkhul, Maring, Kharam, Rongmei, Chiru, Purum, Kom and others settling in the foothills attended the meeting.
Longvibu of the Naga Army, General Ningkhan Shimray shared with the gathering various issues affecting or concerning the Nagas.
Ningkhan Shimray in his speech said, “What is on the map is not important. What is important is the common ownership of our ancestral land. If we share ownership of our ancestral land, we are one. There is no Greater or Smaller Nagalim but we have a piece of land that belongs to the Nagas.”
“I want to focus on what is important to the Nagas, that being, the Framework Agreement borne out of the competencies arising from our peace talks. The Government of India has recognised the whole Naga area meaning that integration is not only an aspiration of the Nagas but a legitimate right of the Nagas and that in the principle of democracy, sovereignty lies with the people. I am telling you this based on the Framework Agreement. So, wherever the Nagas are, we are sovereigns. There is no demarcation of Naga sovereignty but we belong to a sovereignty coming from Naga’s ancestral land.”
“Then, we can ask where is Nagalim? Nagalim is where the Nagas are. In the ongoing peace talks, we are not negotiating for our sovereignty or political rights which are already recognised. It is over and done with. We are now looking for the final solution.”
“Some have stated that if there is no integration in the Framework Agreement, then why should we be talking about integration of the whole Nagas, why not just the state of Nagaland. Let me point out here that there are two forms of integration; political integration and geographical integration.”
“Political integration will come in the form of RTC or NRTC (Naga Regional Territory Council). Geographical integration comprises map integration and physical integration.”
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“There are political difficulties but that doesn’t mean that GoI has not recognised the integration of the Nagas. But, the integration of the whole Nagalim including the parts in Burma will happen only after a political process. What is more important for us is political integration which is without borders and covers all the areas wherever the Nagas are. Even if there is no demarcation, it will be covered by a political umbrella such as the NRTC. This NRTC would be small but it is not a Union Territory which is born out of the constitution of India. The NRTC was born out of the Framework Agreement, having its own sovereignty with its own government that would be subjected only to Pan Naga Hoho, to the government of Nagalim.”
“What we must appreciate about integration is that, when even as neighbours, sometimes we don’t want to compromise ona small piece of land, we are talking about 100,000 square kilometres of land. We have to be much more cautious in reaching an amicable solution taking into account the interests of stakeholders. Otherwise, there could be bloodshed. And we don’t want that. Once a solution is reached, we can see integration. But that doesn’t mean that our integration is subject to the interests of stakeholders. It is subject to our ancestral political rights.”
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Ningkhan continued, “Nagas’ unique history has been recognised. What does it mean? No country can exist without its political or historical rights. We are witnessing a number of wars all over the world and they are partly due to the fact that their historical rights have not been recognised. Recognition of our Unique History in 2002 is equivalent to recognising and creating nationhood without really declaring independence or sovereignty. Recognition of Nagas’ history and political rights means it legalises and legitimises the Naga Freedom Movement. What we have to keep in mind is that our sovereignty, our political rights, our identity are already recognised.”
He also perused the Framework Agreement outlined in the third stanza, which articulates, ”Both sides have understood each other’s respective positions and cognizance of the universal principle that in democracy sovereignty lies with the people. Accordingly, the government of India and NSCN represent the whole Nagas, respecting people’s wish for sharing sovereign power as defined, as enshrined in the competency. Both sides agreed that within this Framework Agreement, an exhibition of detailed plans will be worked out and implemented shortly.”
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Ningkhan further said, “We are all waiting for the final solution but a solution without covering the whole Nagas would be meaningless. It is a betrayal. Therefore, the integration of Nagas without an agreement, even if the government of India shows commitment, we cannot call it an honourable solution. Honourable solution, which means covering the whole Naga area promoting and upholding the sovereignty of the Nagas.”
“Lastly, what is our position? Acknowledging the doubts of the Nagas in the foothill areas about whether it is covered on the map, etc, let me clarify that we have come to an agreement known as “Pan Naga Hoho” which is one of the competencies. Pan Naga Hoho will be an umbrella statutory body that would cover representatives with executive power dealing with social, cultural, religious, language, customary laws, and Naga laws. Until we come to a final solution, the Pan Naga Hoho will function along the border wherever there are Nagas. The Pan Naga Hoho will comprise about 130 representatives. Every Naga as defined in the competency, regardless of where you are, will be covered by the Pan Naga Hoho. Consequently, every Naga in the foothill areas will have their right to sovereignty, identity, freedom, and facilities as a Naga. We will exist as equals under the Pan Naga Hoho. For example, any Naga whether they are from Burma or India can participate in the international Olympics under the flag of Nagalim.”
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“We will have our own trade policy, separate visas. We will have our embassies in different countries under the Naga flag. Insignia, national anthem and separate flag are all mentioned in the competency.”
“The Nagas settling in the foothills have been neglected in all-round development. We are constantly watched by our neighbours, ready to grab our land. We need volunteers to safeguard our land our lives and our property” stated one of the leaders who attended the public discourse.
The gathering also prayed a special prayer for chief negotiator, Th Muivah and Ningkhan Shimray, Longvibu Naga Army cum Coordinator Indo-Naga Peace Talk, for the Naga national workers, for a speedy and honourable Naga political solution and for the Nagas in the foothills.
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