Nagalim Voice January 2024
DEPUTY ATO KILONSER READY TO PURSUE THE INDO-NAGA TALKS MORE VIGOROUSLY
The exigencies of the situation elevated Lieutenant General (Retd.) Vs. Atem, VC, Member of the Collective Leadership, NSCN, to the challenging post of Deputy Ato Kilonser of the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagalim (GPRN). He is a deserving and humble winner to be given this position that is tasked with huge responsibility to shoulder when the situation is in a state of flux. Given his background who has donned the role of guerrilla soldier, Naga Army chief, Kilonser of all important portfolios, emissary and as a regular member of the “NSCN Talks Team” who minced no words to talk tough in the Indo-Naga political negotiating table, he was given a “standing ovation” as he took oath of allegiance and secrecy before the packed house.
Having joined Naga national service in 1973, completing half a century for the cause of Naga political rights, he acknowledged how God sustained him throughout notwithstanding his many shortcomings to meet the satisfaction of the Naga people. He leaves no secret of his humility before God for giving him the responsibility to shoulder the demand of the situation as Deputy Ato Kilonser and call upon NSCN members to come forward to renew their national spirits with spiritual connection, building closer relationship with God through prayer.
Regarding the on-going Indo-Naga political talks and the way forward under his leadership he pointed out that “We have to engage with the Government of India more vigorously because Naga political talks cannot be done according to the convenience (whims) of the Government of India”. Significantly, he called upon NSCN to understand the critical need to pray for the Indian leaders with positive frame of mind as Indians are not our enemies. It is only the government policy of neo-colonialism and neo[1]imperialism. Naga national rights cannot be treated by this out-dated policy of the Indian government. “We would not allow it. We are not lost people. We have our history”. He made the hard hitting point that just because the Indian government say that they are rich, they are powerful, they are big, it does not mean that they have the right to subjugate and play around with our legitimate rights. But he also added that we have to go beyond expressing our anger and resentment by giving importance to praying for the Indian leaders.
Atem expressed regret that the Nagas who are professing to be national workers are not able to strive together with us for the rights of the Naga nation. He hinted his desire to work with more determination and clarity that our Naga brothers can join hands for a common Naga issue.
With the responsibility on his shoulder Atem is gearing up to steady the energy and dynamism of GPRN and Naga political movement giving new thrust to the divine connection under the much hyped slogan “Nagalim for Christ” that has carried the NSCN in leading the Naga political movement. For this he quoted Bible texts, Jeremiah 9:23 & 24, “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercise kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight.” With his message sharp and clear, he called upon NSCN members to come closer to God with humility and dedication and find pleasure and acceptance before God.
Like a true leader, Deputy Ato Kilonser Atem exhibited his endearing traits of giving hope to the Nagas by appealing them to pray more consistently and learn to have faith in the power of God who commands Red Sea to part for the people of Israel to cross, water to come out from the rock and made the sun and moon to stop.