WTR Observe 46th Raising Day of NSCN-IM

Ukhrul, Jan 31: Wung Tangkhul Region (WTR) celebrated the 46th Raising Day of National Socialist Council of Nagalim at WTR Office Compound at Ukhrul Headquarters on Friday.

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President of Tangkhul Naga Awunga Long (TNAL), Kashung Tennyson, chief guest of the occasion hoisted the Naga Flag. He stated that “Yesterday we were with you, today we are with you and tomorrow we will be with you. We will always support the Naga movement.” He called for unity among the Naga brethren so as to overcome the challenges and issues faced by the Naga nation.

The Central Administrative Officer of WTR, Samson Jajo, read out the message of the Vice Chairman of NSCN to the gathering. Samson Jajo recalled the “Naga Plebiscite of 1951,” in which 99.9% pledged to remain independent. “With this Plebiscite result, the Nagas showed the world that they were a sovereign nation,” added Samson Jajo. He also narrated the struggles and challenges taken up by Ato Kikonser, Th. Muivah, and the late Isak Chishi Swu in the rebirth of the NSCN after the NNC signed the Shillong Accord on November 11, 1975.

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The celebration was attended by Tangkhul CSOs and leaders from various villages and churches. WTR organised a grand feast to mark the significant day.

The message of Tongmeth Wangnao, Vice Chairman of NSCN-IM, states: “Let us praise God, the creator of heaven and earth, for giving us this auspicious occasion to celebrate the 46th Raising Day of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN). On this day of great historical significance, let us pay homage to each and every one who gave their lives and sacrificed for the cause of our motherland Nagalim under different circumstances of the Naga political movement.

Forty-five years ago, the Naga nation and history were placed on the brink of vanishing at the hands of the NNC (Naga National Council). That was the time when some members of NNC/FGN miserably failed to stand the test of time when cornered by the Government of India, surrendering on their own volition and accepting the Constitution of India without conditions, thus creating a dangerous terminus. It was the most shocking incident that caught the people of Nagalim and the bona fide national workers off guard. At that time, NNC Vice-President Isak Chishi Swu and General Secretary Th. Muivah were in China. The Chinese were no less shocked by the traitorous elements among the NNC. They expressed their empathy and advised Isak Chishi Swu and Th. Muivah to go back and reorganise the Naga political movement.

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Despite the pressure mounted on the NNC leadership led by AZ Phizo to condemn the Shillong Accord, there was no response. So, it became a matter of political exigency that a new political organization with a new concept must be put forth. Thus, a new chapter of the Naga political movement was started under the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) on January 31, 1980, to carry forward the Naga political struggle, electing Isak Chishi Swu as Chairman, SS Khaplang as Vice-Chairman, and Th. Muivah as General Secretary.

Significantly, the launch of NSCN marked a tryst with destiny—a huge challenge for NSCN to showcase to the Naga people the way forward to survive the Naga political movement and keep the Naga nation alive. Accordingly, NSCN fought left and right to give new meaning to the Naga political struggle to withstand the suppressive forces of India, never giving in under any pressing situation. Finally, India was faced with the awakening realization that a new age had dawned under NSCN with their invisible fighting force, the Naga Army. A clear message was delivered by the top Indian Army generals that a military solution was not going anywhere for ending the Indo-Naga political crisis. After nearly twenty years of testing the nerves of NSCN, the Government of India invited NSCN to sit at the negotiating table to find the way forward to a Naga political solution. At this particular juncture, we put forth before India the bona fide standing of NSCN as the only legitimate organization that carried the Naga issue on its shoulders. When the Government of India stated in no uncertain terms that it was NSCN that held the Naga political issue, we reciprocated in good faith by entering a ceasefire to pave the way for political dialogue.

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Let me remind you that when the Indo-Naga political talks started, we maintained our dignity and tenacity in the same manner we demonstrated on the battlefields, taking a strong stance to defend the legitimate rights of the Nagas at the negotiating table as well.

As the talks gained momentum, we made our stand sharp and clear, saying, “If the Indians respect the history of the Nagas, we the Nagas will respect the history of India ten times.” Accordingly, the Government of India gave official recognition to the rights of the Nagas on two historic occasions. The first was official recognition of the uniqueness of Naga history on July 11, 2002, in the Amsterdam meeting, followed by the Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015, in New Delhi, with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, as the architect of the historic agreement. Significantly, Prime Minister Modi was accompanied by a host of top-level ministers like the then Home Minister Rajnath Singh, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Army Staff, and other high dignitaries who matter in the Government of India. NSCN was equally represented by the entire collective leadership. These two official recognitions are indelible milestones that the world has come to know about the Indo-Naga political negotiations. Significantly, the signing ceremony of the Framework Agreement was given high-profile political status when the entire program was live-telecast for the world to bear witness.

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For more than 27 years, we have been talking with the Government of India on the strength of the truth behind the Naga political movement. However, it is very unfortunate that the Government of India’s agencies have indulged themselves in unethical conduct to create many enemies behind the Naga political talks led by NSCN. Let us stand alert and be vigilant. We should put on the whole armor of God and stay strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. No wonder it is our bounden duty to defend our country, our people, and our legitimate rights for self-determination to define our political identity as a nation.

Let us never forget that we have a place in the creation of God, to be among the comity of nations. We must continue to pursue the solution that should be acceptable and honorable in consonance with our legitimate rights as testified before the Government of India, vis-à-vis the uniqueness of Naga history and the Framework Agreement that followed.

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As I stroll down memory lane, I remember how we overcame many situations filled with exigencies. Our rights give us the courage to take the irrepressible stand to keep fighting to defend the pride of the Naga nation. In the process, I am proud to say that NSCN was able to justify our political movement on international platforms and finally get admitted into UNPO as a bona fide member, followed by occasional forays in the UN human rights and indigenous forums. This international factor certainly added weight to our negotiations that led to the signing of the inalienable Framework Agreement that recognizes our sovereign rights as a nation.

As the fate of the Indo-Naga political talks is in the hands of God, we need to give new meaning to our divine connection under the banner of “Nagalim for Christ.” We must strive to do our best with integrity and thanksgiving to God, acknowledging His power and will. For if God be for us, who can be against us? Kuknalim.”

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