I extend my best wishes to all my beloved Naga people on this auspicious occasion of our 45th Republic Day celebration. I salute you for standing with us in our most difficult times: your patriotism, love and prayer support has kept our struggle alive and strong.
At the very outset, I praise our Almighty God for His unending
grace in sustaining and leading our Naga national movement and bringing us this
far.
I extend my best wishes to all my beloved Naga people on
this auspicious occasion of our 45th Republic Day celebration. I salute you for
standing with us in our most difficult times: your patriotism, love and prayer
support has kept our struggle alive and strong.
On this auspicious day, we remember and honour our valiant
Naga fighters and martyrs whose priceless sacrifices and indomitable spirit
remains a beacon of hope and strength for the on-going Naga people's movement.
Their good deeds will continue to inspire our future generations.
The Naga nation did not come into being by accident but came
into existence as a result of a long hard struggle by the Nagas against dual
colonialist and imperialist forces of India and Myanmar (erstwhile Burma)
because our freedom and ways of life was threatened. The story of the Naga
freedom struggle was written by the sweat, tears and blood of patriotic Nagas.
Despite unimaginable challenges, our people have valiantly stood their ground
refusing to abandon the struggle. They have demonstrated their unwavering
resilience during the past seven decades and have shown that they can overcome
what lies ahead. Their strong determination and courage stand proof that the
Naga nation is resolute in continuing the struggle come what may.
History has proven time and again that truth cannot be
concealed and hidden away. It has shown that oppressed people cannot remain
oppressed forever. At no point of time in history has the Nagas ever been
subjugated to any foreign power. Nagas have firmly declared that their
political condition and situation is unique because they have never been
conquered nor have accepted to be under the Union of India or Burma. The
decades of atrocities perpetrated by these occupational forces are well
documented in the Naga history. However, these brutalities failed to suppress
the spirit of the brave Nagas; it has only intensified and fortified their
determination.
India remained indifferent to the struggle and sacrifices of
the Nagas; instead portrayed the NSCN/GPRN as a terrorist organisation. India
who regards self-defence as terrorism tends to forget her own political
history. She must remember that if Bhagat Singh and Subhash Chandra Bose are
not terrorists; neither are the Nagas. Even if every Naga is branded as
terrorist, we will never surrender our freedom. We have never threatened
anyone; nor do we tolerate threats from anyone. We will not be intimidated by
falsehood. However, the price maybe we are determined and steadfast in our
stand. The alternative is not to surrender to injustice.
Through their repressive 'Divide and destroy' policy, both
India and Myanmar have fully encouraged factionalism and proxies within Nagas,
on the grounds it acts as a second force to counter and crush the genuine Naga
revolutionaries and weaken our struggle for independence. They will never
succeed in thwarting the Naga liberation movement regardless of their
horrendous aggression and crimes, because Nagas are the masters of their own
future. God has destined the Nagas to live together as one people and one
nation. No power on earth can undo the will of God for He has given us
sovereignty over our land and it is our Sovereign duty to defend it.
Sovereignty isn't just our dream — it's the foundation of Naga nation's right
to govern, protect our land, and preserve our cultures, identity and to freely
fly our national flag.
Presently, India is working relentlessly to distort the Naga
history and erase their true identity. The arbitrary decision taken by the GOI
in the so-called Arunachal Pradesh in collusion with the puppet state
government to delete the Naga identity is strongly condemned and rejected by
all the Nagas. The word 'NAGA' is the very fabric of unity and oneness among
Nagas. Furthermore, the construction of border fence along the imposed border
is another insidious attempt to alter the demographic of the Naga area and
divide the Naga family permanently. This move is illegal and resistance will be
mounted at all levels to counter this encroachment on our rights. Any Naga MLA,
public leader or organisation found harmonising with this divisive policy will
be classified as anti-Nagas. Whosoever betrayed the sacrifices of the Naga nation
and bargained the Naga people's blood for personal gains will be held
accountable by history.
Dear Nagas, at this critical juncture, NSCN/GPRN recognise
and welcome our people's call for healing, restoration, and reconciliation that
might preserve our unity, territorial integrity and protect our nation from the
evil of conflict and sedition. But we firmly believe and emphasise that no
solution will justify the supreme sacrifices made by thousands of Nagas, so
long as it does not recognise our national Independence. There should be only
one solution for all Nagas and it will be Sovereignty solution.
Over the years, Nagas has been through a lot of
contradictions, challenges, conflicts, and temptations. But one thing is clear:
Naga history cannot be interpreted according to the whims of any political
group or any individual for no Naga is above the national principle or above
righteousness.
Nagas need to know that there is a better future ahead than
the one envisage for them. And I believe that future generations of Nagas can
one day look back with pride that we were on the right side of history.
We have to stay on course and although we will continue to
be challenged, history has shown that we can overcome these odds. Our freedom
will come and we will succeed.
May God bless our Nagaland. Kuknalim
Yung Aung
President, Government of the People's Republic of Nagaland
