Dimapur, February 27 (ME N): The Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) has reiterated the 14-Point Guideline issued by AZ Phizo, President of Naga National Council, from London in 1980, reaffirming its position that the Naga issue is one of “sovereignty and not an internal matter of India,” while also referencing Phizo’s 1986 correspondence with then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
A press release from the Ministry of Rali Wali, FGN said Nagas must be “very careful and wise in speaking, writing and doing in defence of our Nation, lest we fall in abyss.”
While noting, “There may be a little plus or minus in a better way to use in accordance with the evolution of generation, time and situation,” it maintained, “it will be helpful for all of us to keep in mind the guideline.”
Reaffirming on nationhood, the guideline stated, “The Nagas are a nation in their own right” and asserted, “Nagaland is a sovereign state and the Nagas had no treaty with the British and we never became a protectorate.”
On the question of autonomy, it stated, “India offered Autonomy to the Nagas in 1947 when she was about to become independent and the Nagas rejected the offer because we are a sovereign nation before the Indians become independent.” It added, “India became a nation only after her constitution becomes law on January 26, 1950.”
Maintaining that the matter is not domestic in nature, it declared, “Nagaland's problem is not Indian Internal affairs,” and adds, “Every sovereign nation has her own external affairs.”
On security and related subjects, it stated, “These are subjects we the Nagas need never worry and we must be wise about these things.” On economic concerns, it remarked, “These are frightening words for educated men who never realised that their illiterate fore-fathers never worried these things. Only a clerk minded personality worries because he cannot see one yard ahead of his writing-hand.”
Referring to the terminology used by India, the guideline stated, “The Indian call the sovereign Nagas as ‘Underground and hostiles’ to make it appear to the outside world that the Nagas are rebels.” It further claimed, “And every time the Indians call the Nagas as hostiles, underground or rebels they are telling lies though they may not know.”
It maintained, “The Nagas are not Indians and these words do not apply to us,” in reference to secession. On the use of terms such as constitution, movement, struggle and independence, it stated, “The Nagas are defending their country. It is not a movement and we are not struggling for independence because we are a sovereign nation, independent, free and we the Nagas have nothing to do with the Indian constitution.”
On grievances and oppression, it asserted, “India invaded Nagaland and we are defending our sovereignty as an independent nation. Our problem with India is aggression but not grievances, oppression or suppression.” It stated, “The Nagas are not a minority in India and the word tribal is the dirtiest word in politics. It's an insult.”
On self-determination and human rights, the guideline declared, “The Nagas are not asking for self-determination. And we are not fighting for Human Rights. These two phrases are matters of ‘internal affairs’.”
It also contended, “The problem between Nagaland and India is not a dispute. It is not an issue as the Nagas are not demanding or claiming independence from India.” Adding, “Our problem against India is invasion and the Indian contention is only to obscure this basic fact.”
On political rights and justice, it stated, “The Nagas are not fighting for our political rights. We are not asking political justice. These words are ‘internal affairs’ in politics.”
The release further referred to a letter written by AZ Phizo to Rajiv Gandhi, then Prime Minister of India, on May 10, 1986 from London, wherein he stated: “The case of Nagaland is a case of invasion. It is war. And it is not a political issue.”
