Dear Indomitable Nagas,
Naga political issue at this hour or tomorrow, as we are all too aware, does not belong to me, my organisation or any other leader or his organisation. Every Naga, from the oldest to a newborn child is a partaker to the entire national movement initiated by the visionary Naga leaders of the past. Thousands have, since then, died defending our land against occupational forces. Thousands are still alive old and wrinkled, having given their best years to the Naga nation and uncompromising till today, in their desire to, at the very least, see their grandchildren live in freedom and peace. Indeed, beginning from the early 1950’s, the vengeance of the occupational forces was unleashed upon the Naga people. There is not a single village in Nagaland that did not experience the brutality of the Indian Army. I was born in an age when India and the world was recovering from the Great War but our proud people, the Nagas, during the same period, were experiencing untold misery and suffering from the first wave of occupational forces of India. The attacking nation and the defending nation are two separate nations and two peoples. In this I recognise India and Nagaland as two separate and distinct entities. Nagaland is our identity and this is the fact of history.
The Indian government must understand that the Naga political problem must be viewed and tackled outside the parameter of the Indian constitution. A nation’s constitution safeguards its people and territory. The Naga people, by the declaration of independence on 14th August 1947 and National plebiscite conducted on May 16, 1951, in which 99.9% Nagas opted for independence, possess their own separate constitution (Yehzabo) and their own homeland. The difference between the history of the Naga Naga people and those of other struggling nations and peoples in the region is clear. While the Naga people, for the love of humanity, do not wish to kill another Indian soldier in our soil, a political settlement without the consent of our people, depriving us of our right to free existence, will force us to defend ourselves anew.
My countrymen, you and I are placed in our respective positions today to add to the courage and wisdom of those who gave everything in their time. Other than as a father to my children, there is little reason for me to act on my own will because I am well aware that many million Nagas are ready to continue the struggle should I fail in my time. The conflict within the Naga political groups is the most extravagant blood-spilling saga in south east Asia. We claim to be Christians but for decades, Naga leaders and military commanders have acted as though a father, a brother or a son could be replaced by a brand new one.
I believe it is a correct time for me, as a humble servant of the Naga nation, to clarify certain doubts and misgivings arising out of the recent domestic steps taken by the GPRN/NSCN to re-introduce democratic socialism through the customary tradition of Naga revolutionaries, seeking the opinion of the National Assembly on any issue of national importance.
To my former comrades, who are questioning the impeachment of former chairman S.S Khaplang on 7th June 2011, I can only say that it was the decision of the NSCN National Assembly and it includes many of their signatures both during the impeachment hour on June 7th and also during the formal installation of Gen. Khole as the new Chairman on 15th June 2011. It was in accordance to the National Yehzabo and decided by the august assembly. The pulse of the Naga people was for peace and former Chairman S.S Khaplang, unfortunately, placed the Naga people’s desire for reconciliation and solution to Naga political problem at his own convenience, mercy and judgment.
I assure the Naga people that our new NSCN Chairman Gen. Khole Konyak, a man of impeccable character and unquestionable integrity having served the Naga Nation for the last fifty seven years, who has outlived many national tragedies, will continue to be our elder statesman in the coming years. He stands tall today amidst the ruins of divisive politics. I am convinced that his experience and wisdom, in consultation with the Naga people, will guide NSCN and the Nagas towards a secure future.
I stand firm on the strength of NSCN comrades and freedom loving Nagas who in the mid 1990’s passed on the baton of responsibility after my predecessor, our most honourable General Secretary and Ato Kilonser, late Dally Mungro was mercilessly killed at Kohima. As the nation condemned and mourned the death of our respected leader, I was asked to be the General Secretary and Ato Kilonser of NSCN party and government. From the very beginning, along with strengthening the various wings of the NSCN, it was my bounden duty to acknowledge the cry of the Naga people for peace among the Nagas. Courage is not only about how many enemies a soldier can kill. It is also about which leader can end violent conflict among his people and usher in peace in the land. We will seek peace and reconciliation among the Nagas yet, as a revolutionary party and government defending the motherland, GPRN/NSCN shall continue to maintain and update its military at various brigades, battalions and commands. The efficiency and discipline of the Naga army shall be maintained because a weak NSCN will not be given peace.
I appreciate the great courage displayed by the FNR, Naga frontal Organisations, Tribal Hohos, Churches, Mothers, Students, Elders and all contributors to peace. Accomplishing our onerous task will require great commitment and decisiveness. NSCN shall not be found wanting in the Nagas’ quest for peace. We will consult all sections of Naga people and common opinion shall be sought. The desire of the Nagas is in unity and thereafter the scope for acceptable political solution will emerge. May our fighting spirit last through the ages.
Naga political issue at this hour or tomorrow, as we are all too aware, does not belong to me, my organisation or any other leader or his organisation. Every Naga, from the oldest to a newborn child is a partaker to the entire national movement initiated by the visionary Naga leaders of the past. Thousands have, since then, died defending our land against occupational forces. Thousands are still alive old and wrinkled, having given their best years to the Naga nation and uncompromising till today, in their desire to, at the very least, see their grandchildren live in freedom and peace. Indeed, beginning from the early 1950’s, the vengeance of the occupational forces was unleashed upon the Naga people. There is not a single village in Nagaland that did not experience the brutality of the Indian Army. I was born in an age when India and the world was recovering from the Great War but our proud people, the Nagas, during the same period, were experiencing untold misery and suffering from the first wave of occupational forces of India. The attacking nation and the defending nation are two separate nations and two peoples. In this I recognise India and Nagaland as two separate and distinct entities. Nagaland is our identity and this is the fact of history.
The Indian government must understand that the Naga political problem must be viewed and tackled outside the parameter of the Indian constitution. A nation’s constitution safeguards its people and territory. The Naga people, by the declaration of independence on 14th August 1947 and National plebiscite conducted on May 16, 1951, in which 99.9% Nagas opted for independence, possess their own separate constitution (Yehzabo) and their own homeland. The difference between the history of the Naga Naga people and those of other struggling nations and peoples in the region is clear. While the Naga people, for the love of humanity, do not wish to kill another Indian soldier in our soil, a political settlement without the consent of our people, depriving us of our right to free existence, will force us to defend ourselves anew.
My countrymen, you and I are placed in our respective positions today to add to the courage and wisdom of those who gave everything in their time. Other than as a father to my children, there is little reason for me to act on my own will because I am well aware that many million Nagas are ready to continue the struggle should I fail in my time. The conflict within the Naga political groups is the most extravagant blood-spilling saga in south east Asia. We claim to be Christians but for decades, Naga leaders and military commanders have acted as though a father, a brother or a son could be replaced by a brand new one.
I believe it is a correct time for me, as a humble servant of the Naga nation, to clarify certain doubts and misgivings arising out of the recent domestic steps taken by the GPRN/NSCN to re-introduce democratic socialism through the customary tradition of Naga revolutionaries, seeking the opinion of the National Assembly on any issue of national importance.
To my former comrades, who are questioning the impeachment of former chairman S.S Khaplang on 7th June 2011, I can only say that it was the decision of the NSCN National Assembly and it includes many of their signatures both during the impeachment hour on June 7th and also during the formal installation of Gen. Khole as the new Chairman on 15th June 2011. It was in accordance to the National Yehzabo and decided by the august assembly. The pulse of the Naga people was for peace and former Chairman S.S Khaplang, unfortunately, placed the Naga people’s desire for reconciliation and solution to Naga political problem at his own convenience, mercy and judgment.
I assure the Naga people that our new NSCN Chairman Gen. Khole Konyak, a man of impeccable character and unquestionable integrity having served the Naga Nation for the last fifty seven years, who has outlived many national tragedies, will continue to be our elder statesman in the coming years. He stands tall today amidst the ruins of divisive politics. I am convinced that his experience and wisdom, in consultation with the Naga people, will guide NSCN and the Nagas towards a secure future.
I stand firm on the strength of NSCN comrades and freedom loving Nagas who in the mid 1990’s passed on the baton of responsibility after my predecessor, our most honourable General Secretary and Ato Kilonser, late Dally Mungro was mercilessly killed at Kohima. As the nation condemned and mourned the death of our respected leader, I was asked to be the General Secretary and Ato Kilonser of NSCN party and government. From the very beginning, along with strengthening the various wings of the NSCN, it was my bounden duty to acknowledge the cry of the Naga people for peace among the Nagas. Courage is not only about how many enemies a soldier can kill. It is also about which leader can end violent conflict among his people and usher in peace in the land. We will seek peace and reconciliation among the Nagas yet, as a revolutionary party and government defending the motherland, GPRN/NSCN shall continue to maintain and update its military at various brigades, battalions and commands. The efficiency and discipline of the Naga army shall be maintained because a weak NSCN will not be given peace.
I appreciate the great courage displayed by the FNR, Naga frontal Organisations, Tribal Hohos, Churches, Mothers, Students, Elders and all contributors to peace. Accomplishing our onerous task will require great commitment and decisiveness. NSCN shall not be found wanting in the Nagas’ quest for peace. We will consult all sections of Naga people and common opinion shall be sought. The desire of the Nagas is in unity and thereafter the scope for acceptable political solution will emerge. May our fighting spirit last through the ages.
(N. Kitovi Zhimomi)
GENERAL SECRETARY, NSCN
