My dear Countrymen,
I on behalf of the Federal Government of Nagaland and on behalf of the Naga Nation once again give thanks to Almighty God whose faithfulness had sustained our Nation and our rights as a Nation through another arduous year in the hands of unceasing Indian occupational forces. As we arrive at this auspicious occasion of our National Day again, we remember our ancestors and our past leaders who through their dedication and sacrifices have sustained Nagaland as a sovereign nation till today. We owe our respect and honour to all those heroes who laid down their lives in defence of Nagaland. They shall be remembered in all the annals of our history. I also extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our present national workers who through their dedication and sacrifices have upheld our national right till date.
On an occasion like this, a nation should be celebrating its Independence Day in pomp and gaiety, but for Nagaland, ever since the declaration of her independence on August 14, 1947 we have been suffering from the hands of overwhelming Indian occupational armed forces in our land. India thinks it has inherited Nagaland from the British; but the fact was, Nagaland was never a British subject. As a result Nagaland declared her own independence on August 14, 1947. India was granted independence by her British rulers a day after Nagaland declared its independence. Therefore, India has no right to occupy Nagaland by force.
The case between India and Nagaland is a case of invasion and war perpetrated by India upon Nagaland. India sent its armed forces into Nagaland and started war with Nagas by 1954 and the Nagas have been fighting a war in defence of their country. The war was temporarily suspended with an International cease-fire agreement signed between the Government of India and the Federal Government of Nagaland which came into effect on September 6, 1964. Federal Government of Nagaland is upholding the cease-fire till today. But India on her part unilaterally abrogated the ceasefire in the year 1972 and has continued its war against a tiny Nation, like Nagaland.
In course of its nationhood for over 70 years, India had exposed its own greed over Nagaland through the power of its armed forces under a total ban of access to Nagaland by foreigners and the Media in the past and partial ban even today. Of late, India started rampant exploitation of mineral wealth in Nagaland. Over and above, this has introduced its nefarious agenda of divide and rule policy with money power to create misunderstanding amongst the Naga people. As a result, India is conniving with few pseudo Naga nationalists attempting to make another settlement on the lines of the 16 Point Agreement of 1960.
But whatsoever the case may be, the truth that the Nagas are not Indians and Nagaland is not Indian territory will prevail in the end. From the beginning, Naga leaders made their position very clear and plain which was also taken by some Indian leaders, like Mahatma Gandhi. Nagas wanted India to be good neighbours, not enemies. Therefore, it is high time to take the bold step which would be honourable for India and good for Nagaland. But until such a day dawns, all Nagas must together rally under its declared independence of August 14, 1947 and the National Plebiscite of May 16, 1951.
May God bless Nagaland.
KUKNALIM.
