NSCN (IM) Ato Kilonser during the 80th Naga Independence Day commemoration at the Naga Political Group’s Council Headquarters, Hebron, on August 14. (Morung Photo)
GoI accused of trying a reversal to military solution
Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 14
The Nagas “are not a lost people” and possess a “unique history as sovereign people” that must be reflected in any prospective Indo-Naga political agreement, asserted NSCN-IM Ato Kilonser Th Muivah. The NSCN (IM) commemorated the 80th Naga Independence Day at Hebron, its Council Headquarters, on August 14.
The 92 year-old Naga revolutionary attended the programme but his speech was read out by Deputy Ato Kilonser, General (retired) VS Atem.
According Muivah, the Naga national flag and constitution remain fundamentally rooted in the political negotiations, reminding that under the July 11, 2002 Amsterdam Joint Communique and the August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement, the established “new relationship” of sharing sovereign power is defined as a relationship between two sovereign entities.
Contrary to the agreements, he accused the Government of India (GoI) of “betraying the letter and spirit of the August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement” by failing to respect the recognised Naga national flag and constitution, and trying to revert to a military solution rather than diplomatic avenues. “We will not accept an imposed agreement or be silent spectators to a military approach,” Muivah said.
He reiterated that the NSCN (IM) would refuse to compromise on their core demands for the sake of political expediency. “In the matter of her own affairs Nagalim shall be sovereign” based on peaceful co-existence, he said, while asserting that any final political agreement concluded from ongoing negotiations must strictly align with the 2015 Framework Agreement. He asserted that the mandate of the Naga people remains non-negotiable.
In his “political testament” of November 7, 2024, he recalled that his message to New Delhi was to honour the mutual recognition and peaceful co-existence established between the two entities. According to Muivah, the Naga movement does not make demands on others, but expects respect for Nagalim's unique history and sovereignty through an agreement that fully recognizes their constitutional rights.
A host of Naga civil society organisations also spoke on the occasion. Naga Hoho Advisor HK Zhimomi criticised what he termed as New Delhi’s “divide and rule policies,” accusing the GoI of actively pursuing the fragmentation of the Naga political movement. He held that the prolonged political negotiations have led to a state of “uncertainty or dead end,” and urged all Naga Political Groups (NPG) to overcome factional divisions and unite under one banner.
Naga Mothers’ Association, Vice President Apeuna Iheilung highlighted the humanitarian toll of the almost eight-decade struggle. While stating that the Naga issue is not open to bargain, she said, “Peace without justice is temporary and cannot sustain.” She called for equal economic partnerships, opportunities, and employment to ensure Naga youth do not have to “choose between identity and survival.” She also place emphasis on gender representation, stating, “We must continue to reserve our participation in our civil society… along with gender perspectives that will move us forward with changing times.”
United Naga Council President Ng Lorho echoed the calls for a cohesive approach. He condemned the ongoing internal fragmentation caused by factionalism, political rivalries and tribal conflicts. He argued that true self-determination requires the courage to overcome internal discord through forgiveness, mutual respect, and placing the Naga interest above all else.
