‘Nagas are not secessionist insurgents’

Our Correspondent KOHIMA, AUGUST 14 Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) Kedahge, Gen. (Retd.) Viyalie Metha, in his address on the occasion of the 69th Naga Independence Day on Friday asserted that historical and political facts clearly points that the long-drawn Indo-Naga conflict is not India’s internal law and order problem and the Nagas are not secessionist insurgents. “It is an international conflict, a case of invasion by India, and Nagas are only defending the Naga Nation,” he stated while speaking at the formal programme of the Naga Independence Day held at Chedema Peace Camp after unfurling the Naga flag. Therefore, Metha observes, the conflict can only be resolved internationally. Stating that while the Nagas declared their independence to the world and raised their flag on August 14, 1947 ahead of many nations that got independence at the end of the colonial rule, he said it was because of India’s military invasion and occupation of their land that the Nagas had to fight with blood and tears to defend their declared independence for the past 68 years. “Indian troops invaded our land in the mid 1950s and since been militarily subjugating us with heinous laws like the so-called Disturbed Area Act of 1955, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958 and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act 1967 etc.,” Metha said. Looking back at the troubled history of the Nagas during the past 68 years, he called upon all the citizens of Nagaland to recollect and uphold facts and implications.  He pointed out that even prior to the formal declaration of their independence, the Nagas had always existed as a free independent country owing no allegiance to any other nations or government in human history. Though the ancient territory came under the British administration from 1880-1947, Metha stated, Nagas never signed any treaties of surrender or capitulation with the Britishers. As for the Nagas’ declaration of independence on August 14, 1947, the FGN president maintained that it is a universally accepted fact that the declaration of any nation's independence is the exclusive prerogative right of that particular nation and does not require permission from another nation, and the Nagas did so in conformity to this international law and norm. “Therefore, it should clearly be understood by all perpetrators of aggression on Nagaland that we are not demanding our independence from any one including the United Nations Organization… On the contrary, it is the bounden duty of our neighbour nations as well as the UNO to recognize our declared independence,” he asserted. Stating that all necessary information about the Naga history, geography and political stand were furnished to the concerned countries in a series of memorandums before the declaration of independence, he cited the Naga Memorandum to the Simon Commission on January 10, 1929; Memorandum to the British Cabinet Mission in April 1946; Memorandum of the case of the Naga people for self-determination and an appeal to Her Majesty's Government and the British India Government on March 17, 1947; Memorandum to Her Majesty's Government through Viceroy Lord Mountbatten on March 19, 1947. As for the independent territories of the Nagas, Gen (Retd) Viyalie Metha pointed that the “National Yehzabo” (Constitution) clearly states that the territory of Nagaland shall comprise of all the territories inhabited by the Nagas from time immemorial and in conformity to this declared territory, the Nagas do not recognize any artificial boundary lines demarcated by the departed British government or any other governments. All these facts and actions stand as irrefutable testimony to our collective wish of the Nagas to be a sovereign and independent country, he said. “We have also taken solemn oaths before God and man that we would never forsake these historical and political actions undertaken by us…. These oaths were taken through historic national events like the National Plebiscite of May 16, 1951 and the Lakhuti resolution of April 27, 1955,” Metha further stated. He reiterated the stand of the FGN and reminded that it has not entered into any settlement or agreement with India besides the 1964 Cease-Fire Agreement which was signed through the Nagaland Peace Mission, and is still upholding today. However, he alleged, the successive leadership of the Indian government continued to pursue violent policy rather than peacefully resolving the lndo-Naga conflict. Asserting that the Naga National Council and the FGN are the only national mandated institution and established government of the Naga people to uphold the historical and political rights of the Naga nation, Metha said the two bodies do not and will not recognize or be a party to any factions or organizations committing Naga citizenship to any other country. “NNC and FGN stand to protect Naga sovereignty and independence,” he remarked. The president’s address was interpreted to the local dialect by Kilonser Kaka Iralu, while the NNC’s stand which was issued by NNC president Adinno Phizo to the media on August 4 was read out to the gathering on the occasion by Tatar Hoho speaker Lhouvitsü. Earlier, Rev. Savito Nagi invoked God’s blessing in the programme. Besides Naga Army personnel, a host of well wishers from different communities attended the programme.