My fellow Countrymen,
I thank God for the honour and privilege granted to me to address our people at this crucial hour of our struggle. My Revolutionary salute goes out to all true past and present Naga freedom fighters. Lately, there have been many different ideas being propagated from certain corners. I appeal to the Nagas not to be misled by media write-ups that are too demeaning to the Naga cause. The hearts and minds of our people have been thrown into utter confusion owing to the restlessness of some of our younger comrades. Their excitement and emotional outburst is understandable yet, everything has its time, the Good Lord has prepared a place and position for each one of us here on earth and therefore it is futile to pit our earthly plan against God’s. Since we are all working for the Motherland, even though I have been closely associated with all contemporaries as well as younger leaders, observing them from close quarters, making any personal remarks against them will not help the Naga cause.
I have never ever aspired to hold top post or position in the national service. My only wish was and is to see the Naga people reconciling with one another for the common good. I am honoured by the verdict of the GPRN/NSCN National Assembly of 7th June 2011, which elected me as the new Chairman. The enormous responsibility bestowed upon me is to wage peace and not war or bloodshed. It is a universal phenomenon that leadership changes but governments and Nations continue to march on. Former Chairman S.S Khaplang, owing to distance and changing perception of Burmese Junta against the Nagas, perhaps felt that the Naga people’s mandate for peace and reconciliation was very insignificant to him. The GPRN/NSCN reflected that with or without him Naga Reconciliation had to move on. I have seen enough of fratricidal killings; I am profoundly asking myself if it is the will of God to bring our people together.
Naga History is a history of a spirited Nation that has experienced untold suffering and pain in its long struggle against the occupational forces. Naga generations, one after the other, have been tested beyond human endurance; some became slaves to ambition, some succumbed to lure of wealth, some simply gave up their cherished goal in the face of imminent hunger and starvation. Yet, a nation’s dream and vision ran its course merrily along with every entry of an enlightened youth becoming the living soul of Naga political movement. In the last 57 years of my humble service towards the Naga movement, this momentum has been our strength.
The past is something which each responsible Naga leader must look back either with regret or pride. The regretful past must teach each of us to be truthful and responsible towards the people and the cause. We have been torn apart into various geographical affiliations, political groups, social organisations etc. much against our wishes. Naga people claim to have one vision and one goal and if it is indeed true, then there must be understanding of hearts and minds by all groups.
I have always been a dutiful soldier yet a soldier in a revolutionary government is not a robot that has to pull the trigger at all times. At this hour, the sentiments of our Naga brothers and sisters must be acknowledged by all civil and military workers. Naga people must realise that Nagaland is not a breeding ground for dictatorial ideas and anti-people policies.
It pains me to note that there are some young leaders who are propagating that I have surrendered before sumis. Among all destructive activities, false statements without ascertaining the facts have brought much misery and shame on the Naga people. I have nothing to surrender before anyone. I have served the Naga Nation for 57 years without surrendering to anyone. 57 years is a personal victory for me but not for the Naga nation. If there is one thing why I accepted the responsibility of Chairman and President, at such a late stage, it is because at this point of time Nagas need Reconciliation and Unity more now than at any other point of time. Today is a time to ponder together and search for a missing link in our political pursuit. Political solution is our ultimate goal but there should be a resemblance of oneness in our approach and vision.
I encourage the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) Civil Societies and NGO’s to continue the blessed work that you have set out for. May the God Almighty lead us to the path of peace and Reconciliation of the Naga people. May we continue to reason together.
GOD BLESS THE NAGAS!
I thank God for the honour and privilege granted to me to address our people at this crucial hour of our struggle. My Revolutionary salute goes out to all true past and present Naga freedom fighters. Lately, there have been many different ideas being propagated from certain corners. I appeal to the Nagas not to be misled by media write-ups that are too demeaning to the Naga cause. The hearts and minds of our people have been thrown into utter confusion owing to the restlessness of some of our younger comrades. Their excitement and emotional outburst is understandable yet, everything has its time, the Good Lord has prepared a place and position for each one of us here on earth and therefore it is futile to pit our earthly plan against God’s. Since we are all working for the Motherland, even though I have been closely associated with all contemporaries as well as younger leaders, observing them from close quarters, making any personal remarks against them will not help the Naga cause.
I have never ever aspired to hold top post or position in the national service. My only wish was and is to see the Naga people reconciling with one another for the common good. I am honoured by the verdict of the GPRN/NSCN National Assembly of 7th June 2011, which elected me as the new Chairman. The enormous responsibility bestowed upon me is to wage peace and not war or bloodshed. It is a universal phenomenon that leadership changes but governments and Nations continue to march on. Former Chairman S.S Khaplang, owing to distance and changing perception of Burmese Junta against the Nagas, perhaps felt that the Naga people’s mandate for peace and reconciliation was very insignificant to him. The GPRN/NSCN reflected that with or without him Naga Reconciliation had to move on. I have seen enough of fratricidal killings; I am profoundly asking myself if it is the will of God to bring our people together.
Naga History is a history of a spirited Nation that has experienced untold suffering and pain in its long struggle against the occupational forces. Naga generations, one after the other, have been tested beyond human endurance; some became slaves to ambition, some succumbed to lure of wealth, some simply gave up their cherished goal in the face of imminent hunger and starvation. Yet, a nation’s dream and vision ran its course merrily along with every entry of an enlightened youth becoming the living soul of Naga political movement. In the last 57 years of my humble service towards the Naga movement, this momentum has been our strength.
The past is something which each responsible Naga leader must look back either with regret or pride. The regretful past must teach each of us to be truthful and responsible towards the people and the cause. We have been torn apart into various geographical affiliations, political groups, social organisations etc. much against our wishes. Naga people claim to have one vision and one goal and if it is indeed true, then there must be understanding of hearts and minds by all groups.
I have always been a dutiful soldier yet a soldier in a revolutionary government is not a robot that has to pull the trigger at all times. At this hour, the sentiments of our Naga brothers and sisters must be acknowledged by all civil and military workers. Naga people must realise that Nagaland is not a breeding ground for dictatorial ideas and anti-people policies.
It pains me to note that there are some young leaders who are propagating that I have surrendered before sumis. Among all destructive activities, false statements without ascertaining the facts have brought much misery and shame on the Naga people. I have nothing to surrender before anyone. I have served the Naga Nation for 57 years without surrendering to anyone. 57 years is a personal victory for me but not for the Naga nation. If there is one thing why I accepted the responsibility of Chairman and President, at such a late stage, it is because at this point of time Nagas need Reconciliation and Unity more now than at any other point of time. Today is a time to ponder together and search for a missing link in our political pursuit. Political solution is our ultimate goal but there should be a resemblance of oneness in our approach and vision.
I encourage the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) Civil Societies and NGO’s to continue the blessed work that you have set out for. May the God Almighty lead us to the path of peace and Reconciliation of the Naga people. May we continue to reason together.
GOD BLESS THE NAGAS!
