Moderator, President of ANSAM (All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur) and all leaders of its Units, President of UNC (United Naga Council), President of TNL (Tangkhul Naga Long), President Wungnao Long, President, Naga Village Chiefs Federation, Manipur, President of NWU (Naga Women’s Union), NPMHR (Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights), all tribal Hohos, and the Church leaders, dignitaries, ladies and gentlemen gathered here in this Town Hall, Ukhrul on this 75th historic Plebiscite commemoration day, the 16th May, 2025.
I am honoured to speak before this congregation on this Plebiscite Day organized by ANSAM, hosted by TKS (Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong).
- We are looking for our future:
While the Nagas were living free and independent, their free existence was interrupted by the British intrusion and occupation of a part of Naga country for a period of time. Nevertheless, on the eve of the British departure from British India, the Naga people declared their independence on 14th August, 1947.
The world is well informed of this.
In 1950, the Constituent Assembly of India invited the Nagas to join Union of India, which was rejected by the Naga National Council under the leadership of AZ Phizo and his colleagues. That big NO saved the future of the Nagas, the history of the Nagas, the land of the Nagas, the identity of the Nagas, the culture of the Nagas and politics of the Nagas. A plebiscite conducted on 16th May, 1951 reaffirmed that decision. It was informed to the United Nations and many countries through their Embassies in Delhi. History shall ever speak of it.
Contrary to the democratic method, the Government of India tried to subdue the Nagas through military might but to no avail. It rather created horrible human rights situation in Nagalim, which drew attention of the world.
Under its ugly colonial policy, the Government of India imposed the so-called 16th Point Agreement in 1963 in the stolen name of Naga people’s convention. However, the Naga people had rejected the agreement.
In its incessant attempts to murder the Naga political issue, the Government of India dictated the infamous Shillong Accord in 1975. Nevertheless, it was also rejected outright and condemned by the Naga National Assembly under the leadership of Isak Chishi Swu and Th. Muivah. That historic decision saved the future of the Nagas once again. The Nagas sees no future in those accords of treason. They are for a principled-based solution.
- Focus on foundation:
The Naga nation comes from Naga foundation. The history of the Nagas, the political concept of the Nagas, the identity of the Nagas, the culture of the Nagas and the sovereign state of the Nagas come from Naga foundation. It can never come from other foundations. And that if our foundation is betrayed or murdered, we perish.
The Nagas of the past generations focused on Naga foundation/principle. They stood firm in the matter of principle. Nagalim for Christ is our foundation and vision as well. Like our fathers, let us also focus on our foundation and stay the course in all weathers.
Let us focus on sovereign state, not on dependent state. Sovereign people decide their future by themselves, not by others. But future of the dependent people is decided by their high command/master.
Let us focus on the root of all matters. Everything comes from the root.
Let us focus on the foundation of solution, not on other foundations;
Let us focus on the foundation of peace and unity, not on illusion of peace and unity;
Let us focus on the foundation of friendship, not on friendship at the expense of principle;
Let us focus on Naga country, Naga history, Naga politics, not on others;
Let us focus on future of the Nagas, not on others;
Let us focus on Jesus, the foundation of Naga politics and faith.
But there is a section of people from some quarters who talk of problem, but they never talk of solution. They talk of solution, but they never talk of foundation/root of solution. They talk of peace and unity, but they never talk of foundation of peace and unity. They talk of development, but they never talk of politics, the root of development. They should know that development is the flower, politics is the root.
- We need a sovereign state:
We are poor and weak in many respects because we do not have a recognized sovereign state as of now. Sovereign state is the power house of developments. Riches don’t come from begging bowl; it comes from sovereign power. Development does not come from charity; it comes from the spirit of self-reliance of a sovereign people.
Man through the power of a sovereign state has become master of the air, master of the ocean and master of the land.
He has turned desert into river and green pasture through the power of a sovereign state.
Wars, natural calamities and diseases are combatted through the instrument of a sovereign state.
Hungers and thirst are eradicated through it.
Rugged mountains and swarm lands are developed into beautiful cities through it.
Scholars, scientists, writers, statesmen, administrators, army generals and preachers are the products of quality colleges and universities of a sovereign state.
We must not wait for others or depend on others to develop our country.
We are the prime factor. We are the master of our destiny. We just need a strong decision for a sovereign state.
- The Framework Agreement:
After forty years of confrontations punctuated with negotiations, the Government of India and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim signed the historic Framework Agreement on the 3rd of August, 2015.
This Framework Agreement stopped fighting, killing, horrible army atrocities and violations of human rights in Nagalim. It has turned armed confrontation into political negotiation, guerrilla warfare into mass warfare and enemies into friends. It is a bridge between the two people. The Framework Agreement is in the pages of history. It will ever speak of sovereign rights of the Nagas.
Declaration of Naga independence on the 14th August, 1947 is made a recognized political entity by this Framework Agreement stating that ‘Nagas have the unique history of independence.’
The historic plebiscite conducted on May 16, 1951 was a political step to be recognized by the aggressor-state for legitimacy. Now the Framework Agreement has made it a recognized political entity.
The Naga national entity was forcibly colonized by India. The Framework Agreement has made it a recognized entity. It has also recognized the land of the Nagas stating that ‘Nagas are the owner of their land – anything on the surface of land and beneath of it belongs to the Nagas.’
On the issue of integration, it says, ‘integration of all Naga areas is the legitimate right of the Nagas.’
- Peaceful Co-existence of the two entities:
It has also been mutually agreed ‘coexistence of the two entities sharing sovereign power’ based on the doctrine of shared sovereignty and interdependent relationship. There will be mutual consultation and cooperation sharing sovereign power as defined in the competencies.
This Framework Agreement will certainly protect the sovereign right of the Nagas and security interest of India. Nagas will view India as partner and vice versa. It will bring the two people closer for a greater and higher cause.
- Four-pronged strategy: (1) Ours is a people’s movement for national independence, where all sections of people are involved. And that NSCN is the national revolutionary front of the Naga people who confront and negotiate with the aggressor-states. (2) Civil societies are another front who shouts in the street and through memorandums and mass media for the cause. (3) Elected leaders speak in their respective platforms for the cause. (4) The Church is another front, who prays for the cause.
The historic Framework Agreement is the foundation of solution. We hope and trust that Indian leaders will keep their word.
However, if the Government of India betrays the historic Framework Agreement, the matter does not end there. The problem cannot be left unsolved. It must be solved sooner or later. National independence movement of a people from bondages to freedom is the course of history no power can stop.
KUKNALIM!
Sd/- Rh. Raising
MCL, Special Emissary of the Collective Leadership
National Socialist Council of Nagalim