N Kitovi Zhimomi
Ato Kilonser, GPRN/NSCN
Today is the day our forefathers declared before God and the departing British power that Nagas will self determine their future in consonance with their distinct history and identity.
Today is the day we remember the Naga pioneers for exhibiting the decisiveness to govern themselves and not by any other power. Our political struggle is more than 90 years, beginning with the submission of memorandum to British Statutory Commission on Jan. 10, 1929, the skirmishes with the Britishers, however, dates back to a century earlier. The legacy of the past and the inheritance of the present is to build a Naga nation based on principle of co-existence, entrenching correct Naga history and identity, a practical political structure that allows us to forge our path, while being defended and partnered through enduring peaceful relationship in the present context, borne out of political negotiations. We inherited an honourable legacy, we will leave the same Naga pioneer's principle for those to come after us.
I thank the pioneers of Naga freedom struggle for declaring this date as our Independence Day. I salute all Naga revolutionaries in the last ninety years, for the valour and sacrifice in moulding the National spirit.
GPRN/NSCN, as a people's government, is an integral part of Working Committee (WC), Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs). There has been a paradigm shift in the evolution of the Indo-Naga political issue. The WC, NNPGs have adopted the principles of equality, fraternity, transparency, comradeship and brotherhood, not only among WC partners but with all apex Naga tribal bodies, GBs and civil societies. This is the new normal. In the last four years, there has been a tremendous wind of change in the Indo-Naga political arena. It has blown away the veil of secrecy, duplicity and exposed the diabolic characters behind the Indo-Naga political cauldron. Perhaps some fear the gradual and inevitable end of money minting industry, after more than two decades of dialogue. To WC, there is no greater calling than that of Naga political solution.
14th August is the day we recall and celebrate the triumph of Naga nationalism. The power to choose and decide our future. Keeping this in mind, WC, NNPGs has retained the core principle in its “Agreed Position”, also known as, "Preamble Agreement" signed with GoI on 17th Nov. 2017. After two years of intensive political negotiations, the status paper is in the hands of all elected members, apex tribal bodies and Civil societies. WC, NNPGs has placed before our people a blueprint for future political and administrative structure in the Indo-Naga relationship. In essence, the spirit of 14th August 1947 declaration is retained.
The WC, NNPGs has partnered with Nagaland Tribes, GB and Civil Societies in negotiating for what is best for the Naga people at a present time. What GoI and WC, NNPGs have agreed upon, has sufficient space and scope to allow Naga people to protect their history, identity and progress through enduring relationship. This is an achievement for all Nagas.
On this special day, I reassure our people that WC, NNPGs will stick with our policy of political transparency. We are not going to land on Moon or Mars with Naga solution. We cannot hide from Naga tribes. We alone cannot decide the future of Nagas. We will come home to beloved Nagaland. For this very reason WC has, from the very first day of political talks, consulted all tribal bodies and traditional institutions.
Solution is for all Nagas and WC is very clear on this matter. Therefore, non declaration of the contents of post solution structure by any group is unacceptable. Secrecy by any entity at this time is a betrayal of people's trust. If a negotiating party cannot lay the proposed political and administrative realignments to Naga tribes, there is a problem and responsibility must be owned. No entity can sign an agreement and force it down the throat of Naga tribes. To accept or reject a political solution is for the tribes to decide. Those who fail the Nagas will be answerable.
I take this opportunity to convey to the GOI that Naga people have high hope that the great Indian nation, with Honourable Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi at the helm, will commit to what was finalised and concluded with Naga negotiating groups on 31st October 2019. We believe the Naga tribes, Civil societies, state government and neighbouring communities are all aware and prepared for a solution to Indo-Naga issue. WC, NNPGs has reached out to all stakeholders and we are confident that GoI will fulfill the aspiration of the Naga people. The intense political negotiations between GoI and WC, with Naga people's blessing, have led to broader view of the issue. Who is or are the obstacles hindering the fulfillment of Naga political aspiration?
A political negotiation that is static, unrealistic and impractical is no negotiation at all. Political negotiations are discussions aimed at arriving at agreements. In the Indo-Naga context, the conflicting parties have successfully concluded the negotiations on 31st Oct. 2019. Delaying negotiated political commitment is betrayal of people’s trust, hope and peace. GOI must do well to remember that the price of hurting Naga sentiment is very high.
Every problem has a solution. I am clear that GOI and WC, NNPGs dialogue has broken the vicious circle of endless talks and found a genuine path to a secure future. Naga people are now looking at a brighter horizon, of peace, prosperity and honourable existence. If 14th August 1947 fortified a Naga vision, today WC, NNPGs, with active participation of Naga Tribes, has rekindled the desire for enduring honourable co-existence.
I believe a peaceful Nagaland will be in the interest of GoI, neighbouring states as well as other SE Asian nations.
Happy Naga Independence Day
God bless Nagaland.Kuknalim!
