NSCN (IM) General Secretary Th Muivah gestures as he arrives to a reception in Ukhrul town while on the way to his native village Somdal on October 22. (Morung Photo)
UKHRUL, OCTOBER 22 (MExN/IANS): Thousands of Naga people, including women and children, on Wednesday accorded a rousing welcome to NSCN (IM) General Secretary and Chief Political Negotiator, Th Muivah in Manipur’s Ukhrul district headquarters.
The 92-year old nonagenarian leader, also the Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister) of the NSCN (IM), arrived in Ukhrul district to visit his birthplace, Somdal village, where he began his revolutionary journey in 1964.
Thousands of Nagas from all walks of life, dressed in traditional attire and waving the Naga flags, greeted Muivah after his helicopter landed at Bakshi Ground in the district headquarters from Dimapur.
From there, he proceeded to a stage specially set up to accord him a grand reception where a large number of Naga men, holding traditional spears and wearing customary headgears, turned up at the venue to welcome Muivah. The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) organised all arrangements for the much-anticipated visit of Muivah and other senior NSCN (IM) leaders to Ukhrul district. The chopper, two hours later, took the NSCN (IM) leader to Somdal village where a similar reception was organised.
Addressing the gathering at Ukhrul, Muivah expressed gratitude to God for preserving his life and enabling him to return to the land where his revolutionary journey began six decades ago in 1964.
He reiterated that the Amsterdam Joint Communiqué of July 11, 2002 and the Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015 remain the only foundations for an honourable and acceptable political settlement between Nagalim and India.
“The issue we are fighting for is greater and older than most of us who are gathered here today. Generation comes and goes, but the nation stays,” Muivah said, calling the Naga struggle a divinely ordained duty to defend “the God-given birthright of freedom and sovereignty.”
Recalling the formation of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) and the initiation of the Indo-Naga ceasefire and political dialogue on August 1, 1997, Muivah said significant political milestones were achieved under the leadership of late Isak Chishi Swu and Khodao Yanthan. “We have not surrendered the free existence and sovereignty of Nagalim, and we shall defend it to the last, come what may,” he asserted.
Muivah outlined the unique milestones which was achieved during the leadership of late
Chairman Isak Chishi Swu, late Vice-Chairman Khodao Yanthan and himself as the Chief Political Negotiator.
That the political talks between India and Nagalim began as two entities on equal footing from August 1, 1997. The Amsterdam Joint Communiqué of July 11, 2002, which recognized Nagalim’s unique history and situation, acknowledging that the Naga issue is not an internal matter of India or Myanmar. The Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015, which recognized Naga sovereignty and the principle that “sovereignty lies with the people” and called for a “sharing of sovereign powers.”
He emphasized that these agreements form the moral and political basis for an honourable solution and represent the official acknowledgment of the Naga national flag and Naga constitution (Yehzabo).
However, Muivah accused the Government of India (GoI) of betraying the letter and spirit of the Framework Agreement by refusing to recognize the Naga national flag and constitution. “In order to destroy the Framework Agreement, the GoI has orchestrated the strategy of dividing the Naga people from within,” he alleged, warning that Nagalim “will not be a free gift” and that the Naga people must be prepared to defend their freedom.
He reaffirmed that the NSCN (IM) remains committed to a peaceful political solution but is equally ready to face any eventuality. “If forced again into the battlefield, we shall continue to fight a war of liberation and resistance against the occupational forces in self-defence,” he declared.
Muivah also highlighted historic battles and sacrifices of Naga leaders and freedom fighters from across regions, including Zeliangrong, Sumi, Ao, Lotha, Konyak, Tangkhul and others, recalling decisive encounters such as the 1982 Namthilok ambush and the 1987 Oinam operation, which, he said, exemplified Naga resistance against military repression.
He further stated that “the Naga national flag and the Naga constitution are non-negotiable, whether today or tomorrow,” and warned that any Naga who betrays the sanctity of the Framework Agreement and the Amsterdam Communiqué would be deemed a “traitor to Nagalim.”
Calling upon all Nagas “not to waver nor cower” but to stand united under the principles of the Framework Agreement and Amsterdam Joint Communiqué, Muivah affirmed, “The Nagalim national flag and constitution are the unifying and rallying point for all Nagas today. We will not betray our history and sovereignty.”
Muivah, meanwhile, thanked the International community who stood behind Nagalim and the Naga people for all these years, adding, “It is my prayer and appeal to all of you that you will continue to support and advocate the righteous political cause of Nagalim.”
The NSCN (IM) General Secretary is expected to stay for about a week in Somdal village, his first visit since joining the Naga movement decades ago.
