Makhel - The Historic Place:
The place where we are standing now is historic. Our fathers gathered here centuries ago. This is the seat of history where our fathers made decision of dividing lands. While some of them stayed back, some others proceeded to different directions in search of green pasture.
The Spirit of the Lord Brought Our Fathers Here
The Israelites moved when pillars of cloud and fire moved. History says our fathers begun their journey from the Middle East. They kept on moving passing through many fertile lands that flowed with streams and rivers. But they did not stop in any of those lands to settle as no omens or dreams indicated for possession of the lands. The story goes on that when they reached this hilly country they felt quite contented and rest assured. Good omens and dreams foretold for possession of this land. They did not think of advancing further from this hilly country to any places. We thought that selection of this rugged hilly country is unfortunate and hopeless. But surprisingly, satellite information reveals that we are sitting on the mounts of mineral belt. Truly, the Spirit of the Lord brought our fathers here to make it our blessed home sweet home.
Our fathers came with their political, social, cultural, economic and religious institutions. They practiced and preserved their institutions in their sovereign village-states. They stood their ground with one voice and mind withstanding all kinds of enemy attacks on them. No enemies could defeat them mainly because our fathers were brave and highly political.
Nagas are a Political People:
The Nagas today are also equally nationalistic as their fathers. Ruthless persecutions and oppressions perpetrated against the Nagas cannot kill the spirit of their nationalism. The colonial policy of divide and rule too cannot stop the Nagas from being one people and one nation. Realizing that all these are futile exercises Government of India (GoI) approached the NSCN leadership for political talks. And thus the peace process begins.
Solution Through Dialogue:
It is now the time of negotiation, not confrontation. Problems are solved through dialogue, not by fist or by sword. Local problem is solved through local dialogue; national problem is solved through national dialogue; bilateral problem of two people is solved through bilateral dialogue and global problem is solved through global dialogue. NSCN is committed to political solution through dialogue. And that GoI and NSCN have mutually agreed to solve the Indo-Naga political problem bilaterally.
Peace Process:
Land dispute between two villages or nations is a fight for recognition of ownership. Struggling for establishment of a new village or school or any institution is also a fight for recognition. Naga National Independence Movement is a war for recognition of state.
All the nation states are the products of their history. No people build their state upon the sand of dead history. However strong and wise they may be, nothing will come if foundation of a people is destroyed or sold out. The politics of free Nagalim for Christ is built upon that solid foundation of our living history. It is this concept that guides NSCN in all fields. Recently the GoI has recognized the unique history of the Nagas.
All people and nations have their respective identities to belong. The identity of the Nagas runs in their blood, culture, religion, social values and political concept. One can change his name and political color, but he can never change his identity. GoI too has recognized the identity of the Nagas.
Sovereignty is the power to make or unmake things according to one’s wishes and decision without interference from others. Acknowledging the inherent right of the Nagas to decide their future by themselves, GoI has recognized the sovereignty of the Nagas.
Several attempts were made to annex Naga territories to India, but to no avail. GoI has now recognized the territories of the Nagas stating that Nagas are the owners of their land. NSCN values land above gold. Land and people are inseparable; land and politics are inseparable; land and culture are inseparable; land and history are inseparable; land and state are inseparable.
The Nagas were divided by the colonial power for political reason, against which they have been resisting till date. We have no reason to fight against our neighbors, we are just defending our land against aggressors. It is unwise on the part of any people who try to legitimize the legacy of colonialism. The global political map keeps changing. Members of the UN is ever increasing. Nothing on earth stands still. Everything is transitional. This is the era of democracy. People will decide who and what they want to be. NSCN is strongly opposed to ‘forced marriage and forced union.’ Respecting the aspiration and right of the Nagas, GoI has also recognized the legitimate right of the Nagas to integration of all Naga territories under one political umbrella.
Nonetheless, recognition of our identity and sovereign right is not the end of the matter, it is viability and survival strategy that are also to be counted. We are surrounded by friends and foes with whom we should have interdependent relationship. As we are created to be social being, we cannot live alone; we cannot move alone; we cannot work alone or fight alone. We must have our political partners, military partners, economic partners and prayer partners. GoI and NSCN have mutually agreed to co-exist as two entities and share sovereign powers as two entities. Shared-sovereignty and co-existence of the two entities are the meeting points of India and Nagas. This agreement will certainly strengthen the security, peace and progress of the two people and the region to a great extent.
The long cherished solution based on the ‘Framework Agreement’ will come sooner than expected. It will embrace all Nagas and their territories. Sensing the coming reality, jealousy and desperation have started working in the mind of enemies within and without. They are creating situation every now and then in many ways so that peace process is sabotaged and solution is aborted. Let us stand firm with faith, no power can stop us for the era of the Nagas has begun.
Participating in the Indian elections is a policy matter. Since enemies have come from many prongs our strategy is to counter them in all prongs. We cannot leave the field to the enemies unopposed. Revolutionary patriots are doing their job in the forefront of military, political and legal battles under the banner of NSCN. But the question is, who will go and fight for us in the Indian assembly and parliament. Our people spearheaded by civil societies are shouting and protesting in the streets. Our human right organization is speaking in the human right platform. Our churches are continuously praying in their congregations. So also our MLA’s and MP’s must advocate for the cause in the assembly and parliament.
Nagas are issue-oriented people. Our fighting and negotiations are issue-based; solution will also be issue-based. Election is also issue-based. Issue comes first, development next. We value our national issue above everything because our future lies in there. If there were no movement of ‘free Nagalim for Christ’ to guide and shape the future of the Nagas, if there were no national issue to fight for and live for, we would be having no politics, no history, no revolution and no future. We will be a lost people if and when our issue is murdered or sold out like Esau of old. We must cling to the politics of ‘my Lord and my people.’
Our victory or defeat comes from within. Our solution will come from our decision. It will never come from the east or west. Now is the time for us to choose freedom or slavery. Decide or perish! Let us give thanks to the Lord for He has given us an era. This is the era of the Nagas!
