GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF NAGALIM
Ministry of Information and Publicity
Press Release
Oking, the 24th August, 2023
A CONSULTATIVE MEETING OF THE PARLIAMENTARIANS OF ANGAMI, CHAKHESANG, RENGMA AND POCHURY REGIONS WAS HELD ON THE 23RD AUGUST, 2023 AT HOTEL VIVOR, KOHIMA.
Maj. Retd. Kewe Mero, Hon’ble Kilonser, the mastermind behind the Consultative Meeting of Parliamentarians of all regions of GPRN, mention in his keynote address that the very purpose of organizing such a consultative meeting is to bring better understanding in order to strengthen the unity and cooperation while keeping the focus on the Naga political issue. This will help us establish positive link with the public. He also make it a point to the members that NSCN/GPRN has a hierarchical rank structure starting from Tatar, Deputy Kilonser, Kilonser, Member of Steering committee and Executive Member, Steering Committee in which everyone’s status is clearly defined with a place for all individual initiative.
Maj. Mero’s passionate appeal to the members of Angami and Chakhesang to live up to the spirit of our guiding slogan “Nagaland for Christ” as one people and to reflect the “unique history of the Nagas’ through our commitment and unity resonated through the meeting. His appeal draws significant importance as this meeting was held against the background of grumblings within the Angami and Chakhesang.
Lt. Gen. Retd. Vs. Atem, VC, Hon’ble Member, Collective Leadership, one of the main resource persons began his speech quoting from the Holy Bible, Acts 17: 26, “And He made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings”. This way he drives home the point that we find the truth of everything reading the Bible.
Mentioning the name of historical figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Sheikh Abdulla he said they went to jail as many as 13 times and 7 times respectively because of their belief that defending the truth is not only a sense of duty but is a reward in itself.
He quoted Mahatma Gandhi on truth, “Truth is by nature self-evident. As soon as you remove the cobwebs of ignorance, it shines clear”.
He also took pride about the Naga historical figure Haipou Jadonang who dared to raise his voice against the British rule telling the Nagas not to pay tax and cooperate to the British government, putting his own life at risk in defence of truth for his land and identity.
Gen. Atem said that Nagas are not far behind in political consciousness as compared to the Indians. Indian history said that Mahatma Gandhi launched the ‘Quit India’ movement on August 8, 1942, following the All India Congress Committee (AICC) session in Mumbai. The truth of history as recorded says the Nagas strongly resisted the British party when they first set their foot in the Naga territory in 1882 and in 1929, when the Naga Club was formed and submitted a memorandum to the Simon Commission to leave the Nagas alone in order to protect their identity as defined by land.
He reminded the historical truth when the Nagas refused to join India by signing the Instrument of Accession like the rest of the princely states of Northeast and India.
He also said NSCN was given the UNPO (Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization) membership on January 23, 1993, on the basis of historical truth.
The Nagas under the NNC (Naga National Council) signed the 1964 ceasefire accepting to solve the Naga political issue through peaceful means but it was abrogated by India and not by the Nagas.
Until 1972, Nagaland was under the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India (GoI) but brought under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), GoI. Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India had disdainfully uttered that he will finished the Nagas in a matter of a few days. But the factual truth remains after more than seventy years.
God is the truth and he has been with the Nagas in every decision.
Mr. Kihoi Swu, Kilonser shared his concern that India may play with the Constitution of India to exploit the huge mineral resources in the Naga areas. He also touched on the truth of the Framework Agreement of the 3rd August, 2023 and says that notwithstanding political short-sightedness of some group/people, there is no alternative to the Framework Agreement. He also added that the Naga political issue was made known to the world for more than 70 years and no fault was found.
On the issue of Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN), Gen. Atem and Brig. Retd. Akho Nagi, President, Tenyimi National Workers Forum (TNWF) minced no words in stating that this is not in keeping with the socio-political interest of the Nagas and not going to be allowed.
Education Kilonser, Mr. Jongpong said “We have to show ourselves unity, reconciliation spirit and commitment to win the public support and cooperation”.
Collective Leadership Member, Mr. Zarsie Nyuthe encourages the Tenyimi national workers to take heart as the government has given them the prestigious post of Kilo Kilonser to Maj. Retd. Kewe Mero and Steering Committee Convener to Mr. KK Angami. This is the best opportune time for the Tenyimi workers to cooperate for the success of the Naga nation and not run away during this crucial time because it will be like running away from God since Nagalim and flag are gift from God.
MIP, NSCN/GPRN