KOHIMA — “Make no mistake that NSF will never accept a piecemeal solution to the protracted Indo-Naga political issue,” declared Medovi Rhi, president of Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), on the occasion of 78th Naga Independence Day on Wednesday.
The student body organised ‘The Naga Morung’ on the theme ‘Kuknalim’ (Victory to the People), at the NBCC Convention Centre, Kohima, in commemoration of the Naga Independence Day, with an aim to educate young Nagas about their history.
“What(ever) solution emerges should be mutually agreed upon on the negotiating table between the Naga leaders and the GOI. NSF in no way will accept any solution that is enforced upon our people. The world is witness to the assertion of NSF that we will come out with all guns blazing against any attempt for an imposed solution,” Rhi told the gathering.
The federation will continue to strive for a unified “Lim”, he said, adding that “total sovereignty will continue to be the ultimate goal and pursuit”.
Expressing concern over the divisions within the Naga national movement, the NSF president questioned the “dubious distinction of a nation with 26 Kedahges and Ato Kilonsers”, adding that this division must end.
The ongoing division among the various groups is unacceptable to the Naga youths, he said, urging the Naga political groups to unite and collectively assert the legitimate right for a “Naga nation dedicated to Christ”.
He also highlighted the importance of reviving the Naga Morung, a traditional institution that once served as a centre for cultural transmission and historical education. He lamented the decline of this tradition, “leading to generational gaps in the younger generation's understanding of their historical and political heritage”.
The Naga Morung aims to highlight the enduring spirit of the Naga struggle and envision a prosperous future for the community, he added.
The event featured insightful presentations on Naga history, present challenges, and the vision for the future.
Neingulo Krome, delving into “Nagas Yesterday: The Odyssey,” provided a historical overview of the Naga struggle for self-determination and the difficulty in tracing Naga history prior to 1832, due to the absence of written documentation.
He outlined key periods, starting with the arrival of the British in 1832 to the ongoing ceasefire with the government of India. He said that the ceasefire, in effect since 1997, bridges “the Nagas of yesterday” with the present, marking over two decades of dialogue and negotiation.
However, “the Government of India started its habitual back-tracking again, which was first demonstrated in the negotiations of the 9-Point Agreement of June 1947, through the deliberate mis-interpretation of the meaning of the relevant clause of the Agreement, just as it is being repeated now in interpreting the meaning of the words in the present Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015 which has become the sole contention towards reaching its logical conclusion”, Krome asserted.
Dr. Phyobemo Ngullie, addressing the theme “Nagas Today-The Crossroad,” emphasised the need for proactive responses to contemporary challenges, while cautioning against the pitfalls of victimhood mentality and entitlement.
He urged attendees to think critically and constructively, stating that the Naga people’s journey is strewn with challenges and demands for appropriate responses.
Professor Rosemary Dzuvichu, speaking on “Nagas Tomorrow: The Vision,” stressed the importance of drawing strength from the past and investing in the younger generation.
“Our journey has been marked by courage, sacrifice and determination. From the early days of resistance against colonial rule to the present day, our people have stood firm in the face of adversity. We have faced forced assimilation, cultural suppression, political marginalisation, militarisation and army atrocities, dehumanisation and violations of human rights, yet Nagas remain unbroken”, the professor said.
She underscored that “Nagas Tomorrow” is also about connecting the youth to their roots, to the stories of ancestors and to the political struggle that have made who we are today. It is about empowering younger generation with the knowledge, skills and confidence to become leaders, innovators and change makers in their own right, she said, calling for investing in the youth, the culture and the collective future.
“Through education, cultural exchange, community engagement and economic empowerment we can build a just and lasting peace. Let us come together to make Nagas Tomorrow a reality,” she asserted.
The event also included a solidarity message from Nuyehmong Yimkhiung, Vice President of the Eastern Nagaland Students’ Federation. Over 2000 students and other participants attended the commemoration.