With our conscience clear from any confusion; our genuine desire to achieve the aspiration of the Naga people; our firm belief that Naga people, sooner than later, must, embark on a journey of common hope, the four GPRN/NSCN Regional Chairmen namely Khiamnungan Region, Chang Region, Yimchungru Region and Sangtam Region would like to jointly issue this joint statement to the Naga people that the visit of Th. Muivah to various areas in Nagaland state must be viewed with clear understanding of the entire background.
Firstly, Th. Muivah’s original destination was Somdal Village in Manipur. Visiting Naga areas in Nagaland is a back-up plan and therefore his journey and repetitive lectures at different towns and villages is not from his heart. Sympathy waves are earned not demanded. The integration issue which primarily denotes integrating, firstly, Naga inhabited areas of Manipur into the state of Nagaland before any other Naga area is costing the Nagas dear. This obsession has eaten deep into his psyche that even if GOI and Naga people agrees to a practical solution to the Indo-Naga political problem, he would still be a victim of political fantasy.
Secondly, Muivah’s political ambition is isolating and compartmentalizing Nagas further. Neighboring states clearly understands the history, culture and land of the Nagas. Valued reasons, peaceful people to people dialogue and correct diplomacy at a correct time could have triumphed over suspicions and misconceptions. God created Naga homeland but He never ordered that Nagas to live in animosity with our neighbors.
Mr. Th. Muivah has alerted every Naga neighbor to live in maximum preparedness politically, socially and economically. Nagas have never been so vulnerable. Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler, in 1939, overran and captured the mineral rich area of Alsace and Lorraine belonging to Austria with an excuse that artificial boundary had divided his people. His demand that the land and people are inseparable caused World War II.
Thirdly, solution to seven decades old Naga political problem is never Th. Muivah’s topmost priority. We feel that he will certainly not hesitate to burn Nagaland for a few more decades if it serves his unimaginative slogan. It is time for the Nagas to tell him in the face that the name of Almighty God and the so-called national principle cannot always be manipulated to suit his personal agenda.
Fourthly, the Khiamnungan people, Yimchungru people, Chang people and Sangtam people still recalls the horror and brutality perpetrated by Muivah’s men in Eastern Nagaland 30 years ago. The world will never know how the worst degree of human barbarity was heaped upon the innocent inhabitants of Lainong, Pangmi, Khiamnungan and Yimchungru people.
Many are living witnesses. We have listened to the wailings of the men, women and children who were lucky to escape bloody massacres. We are also aware that many Kuki villages and inhabitants in western side were wiped out. We realize that wherever Th. Muivah goes, innocent lives are lost.
Lastly, When Naga people are yearning for peace and reconciliation through the good works of FNR, we feel that peace missions must be undertaken in commonality and inclusive of all groups. It is not a journey of common hope if Mr. Th. Muivah ventures out to Naga areas propagating his political ambition, reconciliation on his own terms and insisting that only his faction is genuine while others are Indian agents. This can never be a peace mission. It is anti-reconciliation and divisive diplomacy.
On the basis of the above points, we urge the Naga people to insist on embarking on a genuine common journey where suspicion, hatred and animosity do not rear their ugly heads.
We believe that believers in peace and reconciliation would journey without the protection of Z plus Indian security, Assam Rifles, IRB, state police force. Whether Th. Muivah ventures into our regions or not, Nagas in the four regions have long measured him.
SHAMBAI KHIAMNUNGAN,
Chairman, Khiamnungan Region, GPRN/NSCN.
I IMLONG CHANG,
Chairman, Chang Region.
ASOKHIUNG YIMCHUNGRU,
Chairman, Yimchungru Region.
YANGSIBA SANGTAM,
Chairman, Sangtam Region, GPRN/NSCN
