EMERGENCY NATIONAL ASSEMBLY- the way forward to defend the Naga National Identity
The Nagas had given blood, toil, sweats and tears for more than seven decades to defend its national and political identity. For more than 25 years Nagas had waited patiently for the positive outcome of the Indo-Naga political talks. So near, yet so far. Taking a courageous and determined stand NSCN simply put its foot down not to surrender the Naga people’s national and political identity symbolized by Naga National Flag and Constitution. Ironically, GoI (Government of India) is still not ready to fulfill its commitment given to the Nagas in accordance with the spirit and principle of the Framework Agreement even after more than seven years. Rather, damning remarks were made against the Naga flag and constitution as Nagas were driven to the wall to choose which way to go, either to toe the line set by the GoI that comes without the Naga flag and the Constitution or to choose other way. To defend Naga national pride and identity NSCN decided to follow the way that does not betray God and the Naga people.
Guided by the Naga people’s history of patriotism and sacrifice which is also characterized by national pride and positive emotion of love for the Naga nation NSCN decided to call for Emergency National Assembly to decide the line of action to follow and to salute the great Naga leaders whose patriotism and leadership has been the driving force in formation, articulation and assertion of the Naga political movement to defend the Naga national identity.
We cannot forget how the Almighty God guided and constructed the Naga nation during the World War 1 when more than 2000 Nagas from all tribes were sent to France to be deployed in the war theaters in Europe as part of the Labor Corps. It was an eye opening experience for the Nagas as they develop deep sense of oneness and nationalism belonging to the same ethnic and geopolitical group. On their return to their homeland in 1918, they formed the Naga Club, the first organization of its kind that brought the various Naga tribes under one umbrella organization. The first political initiative of Naga Club was when they submitted the memorandum to the Simon Commission on January 10, 1929 and requested that the Naga Hills should be kept outside the scheme of political reforms of India. It was a collective consciousness as a nation to assert its national identity and solidarity.
After the formation of the NNC (Naga National Council) in 1946, the boldness and legitimacy of the Naga struggle was convincingly shown to the world when the Nagas declared the Naga Independence on the 14th August, 1947 and followed by the Naga Plebiscite on the 16th May, 1951 to re-affirm the national decision of Naga people for a sovereign independent Naga state.
The Naga national struggle changed gear when NSCN took over the Naga national movement to carry forward the historical and natural rights of the Nagas and within no time established itself as the only politically legitimate resistance organization to shoulder the Naga struggle. Henceforth, the Naga political movement established itself on firm footing. Determined to justify its political movement before the world NSCN took the step to go international and thereby broaden the base of the Naga political struggle. The Collective Leadership of NSCN went on whirlwind tour and crisscrossed several countries including Paris (France), New York (USA), Osaka (Japan), The Hague (Netherlands), Bangkok and Chiangmai (Thailand), Kuala-Lumpur (Malaysia), Vienna (Austria) and Milan (Italy).
On January 23, 1993, they achieved the milestone when they were successful in presenting the historical and political legitimacy of Nagalim before the UNPO (Unrepresented Nations and People’s Organization) and Nagalim was rightfully given the bona fide UNPO membership. Riding on UNPO membership, NSCN made its presence felt before the UN (United Nations) human rights forum on several occasions. Thus, NSCN prove its credentials before the world as the only bona fide Naga political organization that matters.
Beginning from 1997 after the declaration of the Second Indo-Naga Ceasefire on August 1, 1997 numerous rounds of political talks had taken place. The official recognition of the unique history and situation of the Nagas on July 11, 2002 and the signing of the historic Framework Agreement on the 3rd August, 2015 are the milestones in Indo-Naga political talks that firmly established the historical and political rights of the Nagas.
It is however, the non-committal stands of the GoI on the Framework Agreement incorporating the Naga flag and Constitution that has created huge trust deficit between the NSCN and GoI. 25 years is a long period in the history of political negotiation in any part of the world. Naturally, Nagas’ sentiments are hurt and blamed the GoI for failing to live up to its commitment.
Thus, when the Indo-Naga political talks hit rough weather with unpredictable outcome, the call for Emergency National Assembly was critically necessitated to meet the exigencies of the situation.
National Assembly decision:
Therefore, today, in this august National Assembly, before God and before the Naga people, we, the members of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, under the leadership of Chairman Mr. Q. Tuccu, Vice-Chairman Mr. Tongmeth Wangnao and General Secretary Mr. Th. Muivah, solemnly take this decision to uphold and protect the unique Naga history and Naga National Principle at any cost.”
NSCN Chairman Mr. Q. Tuccu was emphatic as he delivered his speech in the National Assembly:
“Our forefather gave up the pleasure of their lives to set the footprints for us so that we can live in our land Nagalim where our rights and national political identity are not taken away by any force. We have come this far because of their inspirations and visionary leadership. Therefore, the story of the Naga political struggle, courage and valor shown by our resilient patriots and freedom fighters should never be allowed to end up in the manner that betrayed them.
Today, the hour of reckoning has come. This is the moment of truth we have to face. Hundreds of thousands have given their lives for the Nagas’ freedom and responsibility is heaped upon the shoulder of NSCN to fulfill their prayers and dreams for the honorable Naga political settlement with the Naga National Flag flying high. We have to prove ourselves before God and before the Naga people and the whole world that we the NSCN members, the frontline torch bearers of Naga political movement shall stand the ground till the last man standing in defense of our God’s given rights.”
The Naga civil societies, realizing the predicament created by the GoI rise up to the occasion when they hit the streets of national capital New Delhi under the banner of “A People’s Rally: A call for peace.” It was organized by the Naga Students Federation (NSF) in collaboration with Naga Students Union, Delhi (NSUD).
Giving out a hard hitting statement, NSF laid bare the naked truth of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFPSA):
They reminded the GoI that any political settlement should be based on inclusive honorable solution that recognizes the Nagas’ historical and political rights as a people having the right to self-determination.
In the memorandum submitted by NSF to the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, it stated, “the various developments wherein the policy of the Government of India to undo everything achieved through hard earned political negotiations have created great distrust in each one of our minds as we strive to uphold our God given identity.”
The Global Naga Forum (GNF) minced no words when they made it very clear that the Naga elders during the British rule were not prepared to surrender human dignity and rights as a people and are still not going to surrender tamely.
While pointing out that Government of India waged war against the Nagas using the draconian AFSPA, it placed hope that the Framework Agreement of the 3rd August, 2015, signed at the initiative and supervision of the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi who made his commitment to ending the conflict and restoring the dignity of the Naga people, would hammer out an ‘inclusive and honorable’ political solution.
The Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) pointed out that the Government of India’s quest for peace was fraught with political one-upmanship, political maneuvering and political mismanagement which did not lead to any constructive, meaningful or transformative outcome. Rather, it led to a botched peace where Naga life was turned upside down and basic fundamental rights suppressed for decades.
The historic Framework Agreement signed on the 3rd August, 2015 under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi is the culmination of the defensive stands taken by NSCN to protect the political rights of the Nagas that reflects the Nagas’ political identity as a people and as a nation.
Ironically, the world is a living witness to the development taking place in Nagaland where treacherous and monster campaigns instigated by the GoI agents are going on demanding fragmented Naga solution similar to the 16 Points Agreement with some variation but alien to the common Naga history given by God.
NSCN on its part has delivered the message loud and clear to the Government of India that the way forward to bring Naga solution is to stand by the Framework Agreement that was proudly announced before the world by none other than the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi.
When Narendra Modi used the words: “The Nagas’ courage and commitment are legendary,” on the day he delivered his high profile speech while declaring the Framework Agreement, it speaks volumes of Naga national consciousness in defense of the Naga national identity.
It is worth recalling what former Vice Chairman of NSCN Mr. Khodao Yanthan said, “The day Naga people give up their inherent sovereign rights shall be the day the Nagas will be assimilated into the developing world as lost people.”
“When the going gets tough, the tough gets going.” The historic Emergency National Assembly is a reflection of NSCN’s commitment to keep the struggle going till the last man standing to protect the rights given to them by God.
Kuknalim!