JOTSOMA, JUN 20: NSCN-IM general secretary Th. Muivah today maintained that had not the Angamis shown the right direction, the word Naga would have perished long time ago.
Addressing a public meeting at Jotsoma village, Kohima, his third peace mission destination after Viswema and Pfutsero, he recalled the contributions made by the Angamis in the Naga national political movement while stating that we have to dig into our past history to ascertain our historical rights and how we have survived. When the British people were on the verge of leaving India , visionary leaders like AZ Phizo, Khadao Yanthan, T. Sakhrie and Kughato Sukhai showed “the right decision at the right time,” he stated and elaborated on the wisdom of these leaders not to let the Nagas to be a part of India or Burma but to be a self independent and sovereign nation. “Nagas will be master of their own and not the subject matter of any country,” Mui vah maintained, adding “Because of the right decision we have survived as a nation and upheld its identity comparing to the neighbouring States.”
The NSCN-IM supremo lauded also stated that only few villagers had fought the Britishers valiantly and thwarted their challenges, but that today all Nagas stand together to fight for the rights of the Nagas.
“I cannot decide things of my own, we need to consult each other and the time has come for that,” he said, while maintaining that his present ‘goodwill mission’ of touring different places is for reconciliation and to discuss the present political Naga issue with cross section of the people.
He reiterated the issues concerning the signing of the Shillong Accord and said, “We condemned the Shillong Accord because the Naga nation must be saved and also save NNC and FGN,” while also clarifying that they were not against the leadership of Phizo. Therefore, he said Nagas should reason out the past mistake and come together for a better future.
Recalling how Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Indian Prime Minister, had tried to crush the rights and aspirations of the Nagas with the might of Indian forces, Muivah stated that of late there has been realisation among the Indians on the history of the Naga people. Citing the version of the then Chief of the Army Staff Gen. Chowdhury Naga issue is a political problem and cannot be solved militarily, he also narrated the sequences of events leading to the signing of the Ceasefire and the present peace talks. He impressed upon the gathering that after many years of negotiation, the Indian Government has ultimately recognised the uniqueness of the Naga history and its situation.
Earlier in the day, Muivah also paid floral tribute at the freedom fighters grave, where among others the first Naga Martyr Zasibito Nagi was laid to rest on October 18, 1952 .
Meanwhile, despite strong resentments and oppositions from the Sumi Hoho and NSCN-K leaders, Muivah and his entourage would be leaving for his fourth peace mission destination to Pughoboto, the home town of NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chishi Swu tomorrow.
