Unorganised people are just a crowd of individuals living together without any definite political concept for a common goal. However big the land and population they may be, such people are always vulnerable to the dangers of aggressions by invaders. The Nagas become a strong people only after they got organized under the banner of NNC. Indeed, the Naga people have made many achievements in the history of their national movement for independence under the leadership of the NNC. But, after the signing of the Shillong Accord betraying the trust of the people, legitimacy of NNC was widely debated among the people particularly, in the national workers’ conference. The Nagas were left like orphan in the middle of the road of struggle without organization and leadership. The Accord was condemned in the name of NNC by the national Hoho. But the pro-accord staged a military coup d’état where all the top national leaders were arrested to be executed, which was followed by fierce confrontation among the workers. NNC was murdered by the pro Shillong Accord people. In addition to that NNC was derecognized by sympathizer countries on account of capitulation to the enemies. The revolutionary patriots felt that the future of the Nagas could not be buried with the accord of treason. As compelled by such situation, NSCN was formed in the national workers’ conference and it was approved by the National Hoho in 1980. NSCN was built on the foundation of Naga national principle. As mandated, it has brought the issue thus far in the face of enemies from both within and without.
NSCN is the sword of the Nagas. It has neither failed in the fighting front nor at the negotiating table. It fought the enemies of all hues- in the east, in the west, in the south and in the north when situation demanded. NSCN stayed the course when others big and small ran away from the battle-fields betraying the cause. It is now fully engaged in political talks with the Government of India for working out an honorable political solution. Both the parties are determined to conclude it soon.
NSCN is the compass of the Nagas that guides to the path of their future. People without orientation to the future are like a ship without radar. The Lord says, “NSCN is the eyes of the Nagas.” It has inspired and guided the Nagas in their struggle through thick and thin and brought them this far. It will continue to be the guiding star of the Nagas.
Everything comes from principle. Nation-states are principle-based. NSCN is also principle-based. ‘Sovereign Independent Christian Socialist Democratic Republic of Nagalim’ is the principle of the Nagas. A sovereign independent people means-people who determine their future by themselves. Sovereignty is the ultimate power of a people to make and unmake things. Nagas are sovereign by right. In keeping with the universal principle, GoI has recognized the sovereignty of the Nagas stating that ‘Sovereignty lies with the people and that sovereignty of the Nagas lies with Naga people. ’We cannot part with our principle because our future lies in there. The truth is that a man is as big as and as tall as his freedom. And it is so with a people.
‘Nagalim for Christ’ means- the Nagas trust in the God-ship of Jesus Christ, the Creator of the heavens and the earth and therefore, they have chosen him to be their God. It is the covenant of God with the Nagas, which was declared in the national Hoho by our pioneers with one voice. We believe in the principle of interrelationship of man, land and God. We know nothing exists by itself. Creations and Creator are inseparably interrelated.
Socialist economy means- Nagas are a community-oriented people by culture since time immemorial. Their land holding system speaks of socialistic economic pattern. There are individuals’ land, clans’ land and community’s land. By socialistic economy, it means - mineral resources, rivers, lakes, forest and some major means of production are to be nationalized for common economic pool. Nevertheless, individuals are at liberty to own other means of production entitled by law. However, NSCN is not for communism.
Democratic Republic means- a government through elected representatives. By democratic Republic we mean - equal representation in the government, equal opportunity, equal rights, equal share and equal contribution to the common cause in terms of service and taxes. Democracy speaks of individual rights and freedoms within bounds. It is the rule of law. Democracy does not mean freedom without restrain. Freedom without restrain is negation of freedom, which is but anarchy.
The political concept of NSCN is rooted in sovereign state and government. It is so because sovereign government can make people grow and develop their land into their fullest size. Sovereign people can fly in the air, reach the bottom of the sea and land on other planets. Sovereign government/state is the home of revolutionary people and kings; it is the custodian of history, land, culture, identity, politics and religion of a people. The ‘Framework Agreement’ will give the Nagas maximum sovereign power to grow into a developed political people and it will also strengthen the security of India. But NSCN is strongly opposed to domination of one people by the other or imposition of one’s will upon the other, which has been the roadblock to peace and progress on earth.
Every member of NSCN should be a revolutionary, in other word, a Nazirite of the Nagas by commitment. Nazirites are the kind of people who are set aside for the Lord and his people. NSCN as Nazirite puts God first, country second and individual last by conviction. They are scapegoat of the people. As Nazirites, NSCN should walk with conviction, fight with conviction, speak with conviction, live with conviction and die with conviction.
As competitors discipline their bodies and minds for winning the race so also does an organization. An army general can control a host of army through discipline. Alexander the great conquered the world through bravery and discipline. NSCN disciplines its members through the law of do’s and don’ts. To become an NSCN one has to keep political, economic, military and religious disciplines. Every member of NSCN needs to inculcate the spirit of ‘my people and my Lord’ so that he may discipline his body and mind perfectly. To sum up, discipline is the total loyalty to the nation and leadership.
Every member of NSCN is exhorted and rectified through the principle of reward and punishment. The good workers are rewarded whereas the errant workers are punished so that the position of the organization is strengthened and consolidated.
It is said, “Collective decision is far superior to that of the wisest dictator.” NSCN practices the collective decision making culture. Problems are analyzed among the authorities on the basis of objective information to arriving at concrete decision. Failures and achievements are evaluated objectively. The culture of collective decision making dispels the doubts and distrusts caused by non transparency in the matter of financial, political, military, administrative decision and formulation of program and policy. Collective decision making culture is the essence of democracy.
NSCN embarks upon negotiation in accordance with the mandate of the people. NSCN has had consultative meetings with the people on talks consecutively for eight times. As our national movement is principle-based so our fighting and negotiation are also principle-based and that solution has to be principle-based. The historic ‘Framework Agreement’ recognizes the unique history, the identity, the sovereignty, the territories of the Nagas. It also recognizes the legitimate right of the Nagas to integration of all Naga territories. It also says ‘co-existence of the two entities and share-sovereignty of the two entities. ’The agreement does not betray the principle. It is one of the strong foundations for amicable solutions for the Nagas at this given point of time, rejection of which will take the Nagas back to far behind of others. The ‘Framework Agreement ’will safeguard the present and the future of the Nagas.
NSCN clings to the principle of self-reliance. Peoples, even individuals rise through this principle. The Scripture says, “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food.” And “He who does not work neither shall he eat.” This doctrine of self-reliance is applied in all fields - political, economic, military, educational, cultural and science and technological. Everything comes from within. As a kingdom comes from within so also downfall of a kingdom comes from within. The Nagas will rise and shine only through the Nagas and they will be pulled down by themselves. And that you and me are the prime factors.
NSCN is for the harmonious interdependent relationship with our neighboring peoples and nations on the basis of mutual respect and recognition of right. But it is opposed to the politics of isolationism and jingoism. Our neighboring people and nations should be our political and defense partners. They should also be the hinterlands of our markets and industries. We have lived with them for thousands of years and we will do so in years to come.
