KOHIMA, AUG 14 : As the Nagas today celebrated 70th Naga Independence Day, the younger generations are called to be equipped with correct history of struggle and to intervene when right time comes.
This exhortation was made by Secretary General, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), Neingulo Krome during the 70th Naga Independence Day celebration programme organized by Naga Students’ Federation at Naga Solidarity Park, Kohima.
Pointing out that there are many people who claim to have done so many things, Krome asserted that at this juncture with the Frame Agreement that was signed last year, he said the younger generation must know the fact of our history and stand for what is right, and to speak the truth and intervene when the right time comes. ‘Otherwise, the right becomes wrong’ added Krome.
Recounting the brief history of the Naga political struggle, Neingulo Krome said the concept of Naga nationalism started in 1918, when several thousands of Nagas went to Europe particularly in France as labor Corps and Naga Club was formed. This, he said was the beginning of the assertion of Naga nationhood.
However, he said it was only 70 years ago that Nagas had started this concept of nationhood in a formalized and more organized manner, where the then Naga Club became Naga National Council in 1947. For the last many decades, he said Naga people have undergone all kinds of experiences, tribulations, as well as glory and achievements.
‘If we look back at the possibilities of Nagas having our own nationhood, we can recall from 1935 when the British Colonial government offered crowned colony to the indigenous people living in the north eastern part of present Indian, but our elders rejected the offer, perhaps they knew what was best for the Nagas back then. Nagas could have been long back independent then if we accepted that offer’.
He said that ever since the first ceasefire was signed in 1964 between the NNC and Government of India, peace talks ended in a deadlock even after 6 rounds of talks.
Krome also added that ever since the National Accord was signed, Nagas began to fight each other leading to the formation of NSCN in 1980, giving birth to more killings among the Nagas in a very big way. The split in the NSCN, he said was again was triggered by a rumor when Khaplang was in the East and Muivah and Isak was in a mission to Kakching land, where words were that Muivah and Isak have left for London for a peace settlement with the GoI.
There were lots of resentments and therefore killings among the NSCN started, wherein it was informed that in one night alone 175 Nagas were slaughtered when they were asleep triggering more killings.
He also narrated how Col Ajit Singh has terrorized the entire Naga population, especially in Dimapur where people were tortured, taken to the camp and even fried in a frying pan near the Dhansiri River, and many young Nagas and even students were fried.
Krome also recounted the unforgettable incidences of violation of human rights in the state between 1994-1995, where NPMHR has organized rallies in Delhi, documented and circulated the incidences across the world.
Thereby in a meeting held between the then Prime Minister of India, Narashima Rao and the NSCN-IM under Muivah and Isak Swu in Paris decided for a political negotiation to take place between them. He informed that a formal talk held in 1996, and ceasefire was declared in 1997.
Krome said the key four points suggested by the Naga leaders during the talk were that ‘the talks should be unconditional, that the talks should be at the highest level at Prime Minister level, the talk will be in the third country and in the presence of third party i.e. United Nations (UN)’ whereby the Indian government was said to have refused the fourth clause,.
In historic record, he said for the first time in 50 years, the Government of India has on July 11, 2002 officially and in black and white recognized the unique history and situation of Naga people, which have been denied all these years and war has continued.
‘If the GoI has acknowledged this during the NNC days, maybe war would not have persisted this long’ said Krome.
However, he said that Nagas were unable to rejoice and celebrate the historic recognition due to the presence of so many factions, as the Naga public, NPMHR, Naga Hoho etc were too terrified to even appreciate this recognition. ‘If we have done so the other group would have shot us even though there was ceasefire’.
Though a framework agreement has been signed after so many rounds of talks, Krome lamented the varied opinions of the public stating that ‘Naga public is not united in our opinions as we all have leanings to one group or the other group from one tribe to other tribe’.
While pointing out that ‘the oppositions are still alive and stronger than even before knowing that GoI and NSCN might sign a settlement anytime’, Krome outrightly asserted that ‘this is the tragedy. Our tribalism is above our nationalism. The elders of the Naga society so called pioneers and champions have left this tragedy to the younger generation’.
‘Unless we overcome this, even if we get independent or even if the United Nations give us a seat in the UN Assembly, Nagas will be killing ourselves’ he added.
Krome has strongly urged that members present and the NSF to be prepared to make interventions when the situation and challenges comes, else he maintained that ‘the Naga situation is bound to be doomed. For the sake of our children, we don’t want our society to be doomed’.
Krome expressed hope that in the coming years, Nagas will be able to celebrate its independence with full joy and jubilation, unlike today that is celebrated in a somber manner.
In his presidential address, NSF President, Subenthung Kithan asserted that ‘Nagas are never under any dominant as we are a sovereign state’.
Also clearing the misconception of the people that has been circulating in the social media, Kithan said during its formation in 1947 when Naga nationalism is at its peak, NSF is more of nationalism. However, he said NSF priority is for the welfare of the students.
Earlier the programme was chaired by Esther Rhakho, former general secretary NSF, while the invocation was pronounced by Secretary, Education & Communication, NBCC, Dr Bohotoli Achumi and vote of thanks proposed by Secretary, games and Sports, NSF, Liremo R Kikon.
The gathering was enthralled with a special number presented by Pezet Newme, Voice Teacher, Symphony Academy of Music, Kohima.
