Friends, Nagas, Compatriots.
It was on this day, the 31st January 1980, the formidable banner of NSCN was flown high to defend the 'Inalienable Sovereign Right' of the Naga People and to make the World know that Nagas are a free race of people since time immemorial and cannot compromise, repudiate or forfeit our freedom to any forces, come what may.
The Naga's struggle for self determination is simply an act of defense against outside forces and intruders and not an act of 'Secession or Breaking away', as rhetorically projected by some protagonist of the enemy of the Nagas, since Nagas were never a part of any Union, and as such, "How can we secede or part ways from something that we are never a part of???"
Hence the defiant act of Nagas is simply a desire to be left alone, and will fight back for liberation against any forces that tries to impose their will upon the free Nagas.
Naturally, Nagas are a proud yet a simple and peace loving race of people who does not believe in asserting forceful domination upon others, but at the same time does not also take kindly to bullying or give in to subjugation and repression from other powerful neighbours.
These natural inborn instincts were triggered, when some very powerful neighbouring Nation forcefully tried to impose their will upon the Nagas, which as a result gave birth to the 'Naga National Movement' and which subsequently made Nagas to declaring Independence on 14th August 1947, maintaining that Nagas will continue to remain a sovereign Nation and a seperate entity.
Unfortunately, the invaders and the aggressors of the Naga Nation felt it otherwise and attempted to incur into Naga dominion but was faced by staunch and defiant Nagas leading to bloody confrontations, and which now may perhaps be one of the longest ongoing conflict in Asia.
History can never be re-written nor distorted, and our History has taught us that Nagas were an Independent people since time immemorial, and no Nation, no matter how mighty or powerful or potent they are, has ever staked claim or could produce records of Nagas ever been annexed into their folds/union, by conquest, or by invasion or by coercion.
The fact is, nowhere in the pages of our History, had the Nagas ever ventured out, stepped or intruded into our Neighbouring territory for provocative intent or offensive misadventure, but on the contrary, we are simply defending our homeland against foreign incursions and external invasions.
This day also give us the privilege to remember and salute the selfless sacrifices of our visionary leaders and predecessors who safeguarded our 'Sovereign Rights' and passed down their legacy and patriotism for us to cherish and carry on the struggle, till it attain it's purpose.
This day also enable us to honour and to pay our tributes to our fallen heroes and patriots, who never did hesitate to lay down their own lives whilst in defense of our homeland, that despite being outnumbered, at least by 1000 to 1 (or more) and armed with only daos, spears and with few locally made muzzle loading guns did bravely fought against one of World's most powerful Nation armed with machine guns and sophisticated weapons.
Countless Nagas, irrespective of age, gender or status had willing laid down their lives for the common Naga Cause.
Countless Naga male folks were forced down on their knees and made to bite the dust.
Countless Naga women became victims of forceful confinement, rape and humiliations.
Countless Naga children were forced into segregations, groupings and tortures.
In general, every single Nagas are directly or indirectly victims of hegemony and supression.
It is, however, despite being subjected to such physical afflictions and ordeals, the fortitude minds and spirit of the Nagas could not be broken nor contained, that made our aggressors realise the futility of warfare and which prompted some of their topmost leaders to admit as thus;
"Naga issue can never be settled
through military might and warfare but only through political approach"
Taking the privilege of this Naga uprising day, the NSCN/GPRN, yet again reiterates to uphold and carry on the legacy of our founding fathers to defending our rights to the last man standing and to the last drain of our blood, whether faced and confronted "by Military or by Political overtures"
Akato Chophi
President NSCN/GPRN