The 73rd Naga Independence Day Celebration Speech of His Excellency, the Yaruiwo, Mr. Q. Tuccu on 14th August, 2019 at CHQ, Hebron
Dear countrymen
On this auspicious Independence Day I greet you all in the precious name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
At the very outset, I give my revolutionary salute to all those martyrs who have paid their everything for the Nation. They are always in our memories.
Seventy-two years ago, on this historic day, the 14th August, 1947 our fathers declared Naga national independence. It is the spirit of the 14th August and the subsequent 1951 plebiscite that united all Nagas, wherever they are. This national decision has gloriously guided the Naga people thus far.
The Naga people under the banner of NSCN led by our Hon’ble late Chairman, Mr. Isak Chishi Swu and the General Secretary Th. Muivah, embarked upon political negotiation with the Government of India in 1997 and after a series of persistent negotiations, the historic ‘Framework Agreement’ of 3rd August, 2015 was officially signed between the Gol and the NSCN. This ‘Framework Agreement’ has become an important foundation and the mutually agreed competencies shall define the nature of relationship of the two entities.
Therefore, the two entities must exercise their best political wisdom and resource to emerge from the impasse over some of the core issues. The challenges are great, yet, I believe that no problem is too big to solve through mutual respect. An honorable political settlement of the two entities is the only way forward towards lasting peace in the region.
The 16-Point Agreement and the Shillong Accord of 1975 were no solution at all, rather they were historical blunders that led to further confrontations. Hence, it will be a great tragedy to repeat the same mistake again.
Reconciliation is divine. It is pertinent to recall the statement of our Hon’ble late Chairman Mr. Isak Chishi Swu, “We have forgiven the past mistakes of our brothers and let them also forgive our past mistakes and reconcile in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” I therefore call upon every section of Naga brothers and sisters in different camps to come onboard for the final solution. Every issue with the neighbors must be resolved through respecting each other’s history.
We are extremely grateful to the Naga people and all the Churches, Naga civil societies from Nagalim, wherever they are, for their prayers, commitment and support to the Indo-Naga political peace process. We also thank all the well-wishers in India and elsewhere for their support towards finding an honorable negotiated political settlement between the Gol and the Nagas.
Nagas are fully convinced by the National decision of their forefathers and they shall leave no stone unturned to uphold it and they shall not accept any divisive forces who are trying to deviate and destroy the decision of the Naga people.
Nagas, wherever they are, are one and they shall move forward to resolve the Indo-Naga political issue honorably respecting their unique history. They shall stand true to the end, come what may, till an honorable solution is arrived at.
KUKNALIM!
God bless Kuknalim