The Indo-Naga Issue and its Only Possible Solution

1. The Indo-Naga issue is the issue of Naga sovereignty for which the Naga flag was raised on 14th August, 1947. This flag was raised after direct and open discussions with Indian leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhi. In this context, up to six lengthy memorandums were also submitted to the then British government before the transfer of power took place on 15th August 1947.

2. The Indo Naga issue is not over Nagas wanting to become a state under the Union of India which came into existence only on 15th August 1947. Long before this Indian Union came into actual reality, Nagas had made their political stand very clear through the memorandum to the Simon Commission on Jan 10, 1929 and the cable message which was sent to the UNO on August 14, 1947 after declaring their independence.

3. Also, the Naga national flag was never hoisted on 14th August 1947 so that Nagas could have a shared sovereignty with India when she hoisted her own flag the next day on 15th August 1947. No such delusions or ideas should ever be entertained by any Naga citizen. On the contrary, hundreds of thousands of Nagas have already laid down their lives defending their national flag against India’s invasion and illegal occupation of Nagaland.

4. The Naga national flag was hoisted by the mandate of the whole Naga nation through its political institution- the Naga National Council (NNC). This national flag is common Naga property and was never hoisted for any faction or factions. If any faction or factions want to have any other settlement with India, then they should stitch their own factional flags and have their own settlements with India.

In view of all these historical and political facts, any Indo Naga peace talk that refuses to address the Naga sovereignty issue can never bring any solution to the Indo Naga conflict. Here, the real solution lies in India recognising the Naga national flag rather than Nagas bowing down to India’s flag. Such a stand is not taken to belittle India’s national flag or her sovereignty; but such a stand is valid because historically, politically and legally, India hoisted her national flag only after Nagas had already hoisted their own flag.

Kaka D Iralu