Naga view on UN Declaration

I am extremely happy to be allowed opportunity such as this, to share the indigenous peoples’ common aspiration and to update our shared struggle in our search for recognition and just peace.  The united Nations’ declaration on the indigenous peoples’ rights to self determination should be a realization of the necessity to address, through actions, the extreme conditions the indigenous peoples throughout, are under today.
The natives of the world are being subdued and marginalized within adverse boundaries arranged by the whims of more powerful peoples without the will of the indigenous peoples.

Indigenous Peoples’ Rights to Self Determination
In case of my people, the Naga people, we have political merit as well as uncorrupt history of our own, having endured most trying times in order to protect our national identity against enormous Indian military campaigns ever since the Naga people had refused to take part in the Indian Union.
Ours is an issue of a “separate national identity” and not one of a mere part of Indian Union within seemingly a secular domain of “unity in diversity”.
The Naga have an inherent, collective and acute sense of our own history and political consciousness. GOI have failed to insinuate the Naga into denouncing their historical and political actions. This is the crux of the issue between the GOI and the indigenous Naga.
We have a very strong conviction that our future is in our people. We are not tempted to be part of the framework of indigenous people-unfriendly caste society; our urge for recognition is as strong as we will be inseparable to our ancient village egalitarianism since time immemorial. I would like to bring to your remembrance some of our unique features in relation to the Naga’s political history:
1.  More than seven decades ago (in 1929, that was almost 20 years before India attained independence from the British) our leader that time told the Simon Reform Commission “to leave us alone as in ancient time to determine our own political future”.
2.  Naga declared their independence in 1947 August 14 as the British had left partially occupied Naga’s land.
3.  Naga denounced the Union of India in 1950 and,
4.  Reaffirmed our stand in 1951 May 16 in the strength of Naga plebiscite. The result was 99.9% for free Naga people hood.
5.  In 1964 GOI declared a ceasefire with the then Federal Government of Nagaland.
6.  Even today GOI and the Naga people are being engaged in political dialogue following ceasefire in 1997 admitting the fact that GOI has a political issue with the Naga people and, acknowledging the Naga as a “separate entity”. The current peace process between the GOI and the Naga people is: (1) at the highest level, Prime Minister Level. (11) Without pre-conditions and (111) The Venue of the talks, outside India. Had Naga people accepted the Indian constitution earlier, the question of offering it again is not necessary.
We are established upon the base of our political merit as a free people. Our search for just peace and eternal longing for recognition takes us beyond the limit of Indian “sacred geography”.
We have denounced violence while asserting our right to self determination. We will continue to do so till the finish line, till the conflict can be honorably resolved through democratic process..
Te indigenous peoples are not only uncomfortable but miserable and wretched within the framework of politically powerful Indian elites.
Indigenous peoples’ quest for recognition and just peace demands not a mere support to good will movements which are more of rhetoric than actions.
Every indigenous people must decide: a decision affecting the reality of future. And together we can experience the difference.
Finally, the indigenous peoples in this part of the frontier share geography with the Union part of the frontier share of India which is of immense strategic importance. We do know that the power house of Indian Union is based on material and political strength dominated by protective and possessive caste stratum. This Union maintains its homogeneity over indigenous peoples by discrimination and securing suitable boundaries and distance, and not by mutual trust or respect for equality. This Union is sacred and therefore any form of desecration is always smashed by stark military might. Indian “national unity” and “territorial integrity” are highly charged phrases in Indian political discourse. Nevertheless, GOI supporting the rights to self determination today demonstrates change of serious rethinking on the part of Indian leadership.
We extend our undivided support to all indigenous peoples’ actions till justice ushers in and, neglected, unrecognized indigenous peoples experience the other life with dignity, equality and freedom.
Thank you.
 
(A paper presentation by S Varah, on behalf of the Nagas during the regional Seminar the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Indigenous Peoples of North East India on August 9 at North East Cultural Centre, Guwahati)