DIMAPUR, JUNE 4 (MExN): The NNPGs Working Committee today said that the ambush on AR personnel on May 25 “is a blatant violation and disrespect for Naga people's hope for an honorable and acceptable political solution.”
“It is a clear indication that there are elements who are hell bent on sabotaging the ongoing political negotiations between NNPGs and GOI,” a press note from the media cell of the committee stated, while asserting that “Nagaland is not a designated battleground.”
“Unfortunately, these elements, carrying out ambushes on Indian paramilitary forces do not know about the value of blood or the price of peace. For their inglorious action, innocent Naga villagers are paying the price, bearing the brunt of enraged Indian paramilitary forces,” it lamented.
The committee further stated that the present hour is a crucial time in Naga history and that “Naga people on the Indian side cannot afford to have guntotting elements running amok when political negotiations are critically placed.”
It added that attacks and ambushes on Indian paramilitary forces and vice versa is, therefore, “anti people, anti peace and anti solution, in spite of extended olive branches in many occasion to come forward for negotiation along with the NNPGs, if they really have concern for the people specially the younger generation.”
“The transparent, consultative and progressive nature of the dialogue, thus far, is clearly visible even to eternal pessimists and critics alike,” the committee said.
It meanwhile conveyed to both the Indian and Myanmar governments that “indigenous Nagas are one by blood and they inhabit their ancestral land whether in India or Myanmar.”
“Their land, culture, heritage is their own. Usurping centuries old tradition, administration, deciding their future and dividing their land without their consent will forever be opposed peacefully or violently. As in Indian side of Naga homeland, Political dialogue and negotiations with Nagas in Myanmar must begin, accepting, respecting and recognising historical and Political rights of Myanmar Nagas. Naga people in Myanmar must be made masters over their land and natural resources with guaranteed legislative, executive and judiciary powers to administer their ancestral Land,” the committee asserted.
Expressing concern that Naga villages on both sides are being victimised, the committee pointed out that people are not allowed to cultivate in their fields but to be confined in their villages in the right season for cultivation of all crops.
“The Nagas are again experiencing nightmarish savagery and brutality as in the decades past. Use of guided missiles, employing fighter aircrafts and other sophisticated weapons against Nagas are reported. Nagas be it in India or Myanmar cannot be wiped off militarily,” it stated.
It observed that now is an opportunity for the Indian government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the back of overwhelming electoral triumph, to play a constructive role as the world's largest democracy and stop Myanmar's military aggression against Nagas in their own land.
“This will certainly add to India's growing influence and maturity among the international community,” it stated.
