Dimapur, December 29 (MExN): President of the Naga National Council Adinno Phizo extends New Year wishes, urging to “maintain national unity and peace, regardless of the prevailing situation.” Illustrating the hopes of a New Year, a message from the London-based NNC leader received here today expressed delight that leaders could meet like a “family” with “no hidden agenda.” Adinno Phizo was referring to what she said is a meeting with Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio and his colleagues.
“In the latter part of 2011, I met some young Naga visitors representing civil society from Nagaland, and separately, Mr Neiphiu Rio and his colleagues and opposition party member ‘state’ politicians, respectively. Whenever our people met our departed leader, and now meeting with me, it was/ is always very much like family freely speaking to one another, no hidden agenda!” Phizo explained in her message.
“I believe our people, irrespective of political/individual opinions, are convinced of the imperative for maintenance of traditional harmony so that dark forces insidious culture never sully Naga society.”
Phizo then extended New Years wishes to all. “As the year 2011 draws to a close, and we look forward to the New Year, I appeal to our Naga people to maintain national unity and peace, regardless of the prevailing situation. I also, strongly urge regional leaders to abide by the Yehzabo (constitution) of Nagaland and take responsibility to rein in sectarian outfits from perpetrating war crimes against Naga people as agents of the enemy divide and rule policy,” Phizo’s message stated.
The NNC leader said the Naga people “who love their country don't particularly shout loyalty towards the Naga National Council (NNC) and the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) because like it or not, without the root and body no entity can give meaning to modern Naga nation state.” She added that “It couldn't have been simply coincidence that a new generation appears keen to rediscover their root in modern Nagaland heretofore far from a cohesive federation of independent Naga communities. Our people must never forget many thousands Naga patriots who sacrificed their lives in defending Nagaland independence and over 100,000 Naga civilians lost their lives at the hands of brutal Indian army.”
Phizo stated that “In a fast changing world, concerning peace and justice, nothing can justify the unremitting Indian occupation army militarised tyranny in Nagaland since 1954 and India trampling over the sovereignty of Nagaland.” This she said “plainly contradicts the widely reported Government of India (GoI) desire to find an honourable solution to the "vexed Naga problem". It also, clearly belies India's self-assertive progressive international image among democratic nations.”
There is only one honorable way out to find an amicable settlement of the protracted conflict with India, she explained. “The problem points to the GoI obsession to circumvent NNC and FGN. In the circumstances, as long as the Indian army occupy our country, the enemy evil designs to divide and rule won't go away. Unlike insurgencies in India, GoI fully understand that Nagaland never constituted an integral part of India.”
Meanwhile, she added, “whatever challenges lies ahead in the coming year 2012, the will of our indomitable people to be free is irreversible.”
