Dimapur, Jan 28 (MExN): The Nagas had high expectations when NSCN-IM Chairman and General Secretary Th. Muivah arrived in Nagaland, that a halt to the killings would be made and “bring peace”. Rather, their arrival is only a reflection of the NSCN-IM ridding of anyone who opposes socialism, says the Naga National Council (NNC).
“It was indeed the Naga people have an expectation that Isak and Th. Muivah would show a good gesture to stop killing and to bring peace among the Nagas when they returned home with desperation” NNC member Thomas stated with the regret that when the rival camp was attacked January 8 2007 killing one NSCN-K cadre “which took place as soon as Isak reached home”.
Taking note of this, the NNC termed the peace proclamation of Chairman Swu –“whosoever has committed crime against the people and the NSCN (IM) is forgiven, in the name of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ and to glorify His name” – as indeed a trick to kill more Nagas. When Muivah landed Dimapur on January 9, the NSCN-IM abducted one Lichumthung Ezung and killed him on the same day and also when Isak and Th. Muivah were fasting and praying, two of Konyak youths were abducted on January 12 and killed them the next morning in Kohima.
In a lengthy statement, NNC member Thomas gave a “profile” of Chairman Swu and General Secretary Th. Muivah:
In April and May, Naga national leaders had thorough discussions on new formation of Isak-Muivah’s ministry, which was formed in 1976. Leaders like T Venuh, Mayanger and Ngathingkhui Ahum pronounced the “new formation of 1976 was a gross violation of Nagaland Yehzabo”; that Isak-Muivah possessed no authority to summon a Tatar Hoho (Parliament assembly) or to form a new ministry, since they were only a Minister of the FGN and General Secretary of the NNC (respectively); that since the beginning, the NNC and FGN had two entity heads. Therefore, these two offices cannot be put on a single head; that the office of the President, FGN should not be in a foreign land “lest our national Government be an exile Government.”
It was also averred that socialism should not be adopted. “If we adopt it another division among the Nagas will be taken place and the blood of Nagas will flow like a river. The living way of Nagas is traditional democracy and also now 95% of Naga people are Christians. Therefore, they will never accept socialism” the leaders are said to have opined “When the revolutionary government was formed in 1968 we faced a setback, and if another division is take place among us we will face a setback again. We have to first maintain and consider for the national unity and integrity, and therefore we should not adopt socialism and neither should we try to overthrow the leadership of Phizo” the statement pointed out.
However, Th. Muivah rejected the advice of the leaders and refused to meet senior Naga national leaders who were staying in Kohima while they were trying to meet Isak and Muivah for mutual understanding.
“They branded every Naga who opposed their socialism as Accordist and condemned as traitor and killed them. But now Isak-Muivah group is openly and diligently involving in the Indian elections by sending its own candidates. And even Muivah stated in no uncertain terms that “We have come down from our demand of absolute sovereignty and stand for a special federal relationship with India...to whom they blame for such self-defeat?” the NNC wondered.
Sovereignty of Nagaland is God’s gift and the Nagas have at no point of time dreamt to sell out their sovereignty and will never be and “reconciliation with God is to repent and confess our sins” the NNC asserted. Politically reconciliation means to relinquish wrong policies, divisive attitude, sectarianism and reunite with the parent political body or national mainstream. To reconcile among the brothers is to bury all rancor, enmity and to forgive each other” it stated adding that Nagas know which is their parent body “and national mainstream” and would stick with the NNC/FGN.
“Also, at all cost the Nagas will defend and maintain their traditional democracy, which handed down to them by their ancestral fathers. They will never allow to substitute it with terrorism, socialism and dictatorship of Isak and Muivah. No one can stop the Nagas to defend their sovereignty and traditional democracy. And, no power of the world can resist the force of the people” it added.
