Speech of Akato Chophi, President of NSCN/GPRN-R (Akato) on Naga Independence Day

Friends, Nagas, compatriots,

The history of Nagas has been passed down to us from generation to generation, by our predecessors to uphold it and to pass it on to our successors and posterity, until it reaches its logical conclusion.

It also serves as a reminder as to who we Nagas really are.

Despite facing unbearable sufferings and challenges against destructible forces and adversaries, the indomitable spirit and formidable hearts of our brave warriors, who stood their grounds in defiance and ready to defend to the last man standing, could not be crushed,

It is however understood that, considering the contemporary times, the Nagas also acknowledge the narratives of some top leaders from both political and military backgrounds of GoI who opined that, "Military campaign against Naga Issue will be a futile exercise but that which needs to be addressed politically".

Likewise, as we stand at the thresholds of the modern era of paradigm shift, where 'Warfare' is being replaced by political negotiations and diplomatic ties, so does the NSCN, also make our points crystal clear.

That, any kind of solution that is short of "Inclusiveness, National Principles, Traditional Values and without Pragmatic Approach" will never yield any positive vibe but rather, be mired with political ramification.

Any 'Political Blasphemy' minus rationality, sincerity and honour can never achieve a means to an end.

In order to substantiate and strengthen the Agreed Position (AP), the erstwhile NNPA (Naga National Political Alliance), which recently merged with the NNPGs, did also put forward some of our competency clauses and amalgamated it with the AP to further reinforce it.

Unlike some agreements which still remain hidden and obscure to the public, the AP is an open book and is already laid down in the public domain.

It is a tragic comic for the Nagas, because as oblivious to us, a handful of few self proclaimed saviours, forcefully wants to decide our future without our consent, without our participation and unbeknownst as to what future is at stake.

However, to say the least, Nagas are matured and wise enough to dichotomize and to clearly define as to who are the real protagonists and who actually are the antagonists

Nevertheless, the GoI must also understands as to who are being serious and who are being theatrical to procrastinating the issue, yet as long as these infamous and unpopular political rhetorics is allowed to continue, Nagas are being throttled to the brink of suffocation.

Needless to say, unless the GoI picks up the pace and up the ante, both Nagas and GoI are on the verge of missing the bus, and if it is so, we will have none to blame but ourselves.

KUKNALIM

"God Bless Nagas, God Bless Our Nation"