Speech delivered by Eno. Zhopra Vero, Kedallo, NNC/FGN at the consultative meeting of all the naga national political groups convened by the nagaland legislators’ forum on 9th march, 2016 Hon’ble Speaker, Nagaland Legislative Assembly; Hon’ble Chief Minister, Members of the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland and my esteemed colleagues.
On this important occasion, I extend my warm greetings to you all.
On 23rd February 2016, the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) released a joint press statement to express our displeasure and disapproval with regard to the initiative and activities of the Parliamentary Working Committee (PWC), Nagaland Legislators Forum. We objected not because you have no right to speak on Naga issue but because your action has the potential of bringing about further misunderstanding and division amongst the Nagas on the one hand and on the other hand it indirectly legitimizes the forceful integration of Nagaland into the Indian Union and the Indian system that suppresses our right to live as free people of which you are a part. If you go to Delhi without taking into confidence the general will of the people or without knowing the content of the ‘Framework Agreement’ that may determine the future of the Naga people, how can we be sure that you are not acting only as the mouthpiece of the NSCN (IM) or that you are not trying to please Modi and his government?
The Chairman of the NLF, Mr. Chotisuh Sazo and the Chief Minister, Government of Nagaland Mr. T.R. Zeliang gave a rejoinder to the statement on 26th February 2016 whereby they stated that “all the Political parties in Nagaland have peaceful resolution of the Naga Political issue as one of its agenda. This is sought to be done, not by active participation in the Political dialogue between the GoI and the NPGs but by acting as facilitator to the peace process.” Now that you have made your position somewhat known to us, we would like to raise some more questions for you to think about, or better, to clarify now. In facilitating any discussion, it is extremely important that the facilitator is not influenced by any party in question. Are you free from being influenced by any party? As facilitators, enough groundwork should be done in order to bring together stakeholders or parties to the negotiating table; what have you done in this connection? To our knowledge, we have not been consulted. Are you of the opinion that the solution to the Indo-Naga problem can be brought about only by some section of Naga people? How can you project yourselves as the facilitator if what you are trying to facilitate is only going to bring more confusion and division? It is important that you don’t take any party for granted; you should not be biased.
Moving on to my next point, I would like to place before you some points that are a matter of concern. First, is there a mechanism to ensure the sincerity of Delhi Government? Do you trust the Indian systems or methods of solving problems? Why is Delhi still endorsing the ‘divide and rule’ policy to deal with our national question? Why is the agreement or negotiation to solve the Indo-Naga problem still exclusive despite the repeated statements that it will be inclusive?
To cite an instance, neither the Prime Minister nor the Indian interlocutor is yet to extend a formal invitation to us for a talk; not that we are complaining but that this explains their insincerity and hypocrisy. An informal meeting was held with R.N. Ravi on 7th December, 2015 at his request; however till date no follow-up nor further communication has been initiated. If this is the attitude of Delhi towards us in particular and Nagas in general, what kind of peace process do you think you are going to facilitate?
Secondly, upto what extend do you trust the NSCN (IM) to conclude the Naga political solution with India? Since 2008, under the banner of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), the Naga National Political Groups has had several rounds of talks at various levels. Numerous documents and agreements have been drafted and signed together with the support of the people and with God as the witness. However, there is no commitment or desire on the part of the NSCN (IM) to strengthen the Naga national cause by joining hands with the other political parties even after these agreements. The leaders of the NSCN (IM) are too happy to be in the good book of Delhi government and to be on negotiating terms with it. Where is the integrity and the commitment to the cause of Naga nationalism?
How far can the Naga people trust the NSCN-IM with the Naga National Cause if they cannot be transparent to the Naga people? Is Naga nationalism owned by them that they can do whatever they want to without even the knowledge and consent of the people? What kind of peace process are you going to facilitate if the signatories of the “Framework Agreement” are not trustworthy?
Thirdly, we believe any solution that is arrived at should be honourable and acceptable to the Naga people. We still have not learnt as to how our historic struggle can be separated from the historic declaration of Naga Independence of 14th August 1947 and the Plebiscite of 16th May 1951 in favor of a sovereign Naga nation. For us, they not only constitute as the foundations and pillars of our national struggle but they also continue to serve as inspirations to stand up for our rights no matter what. Thousands have given up their lives for the Naga Cause and nothing would be more dishonourable than to betray their sacrifices for want of money or power.
Any solution would not be deemed honourable if it is done by negating the dignity and rights of the Naga people. If there is going to be any solution to the political conflict then first of all the Indian state has to change its perception of the Nagas and the Naga struggle. There has to be honor and respect involved in the dialogue itself. It ought to be noted that we are not begging for any special favor from the Indian state. On the contrary, we are just asking the Indian state to do what is right for her own sake – to honor the right of the Nagas to shape and determine our own destiny instead of forcefully imposing her will on the Naga people.
Honorable solution cannot be equated with what packages Nagas will get. To be more precise, honorable solution cannot be treated like a bargaining chip – how much Nagas gain or how much the Indian state gains. It is not even about win-win situation. Even if the negotiation is acceptable to us due to the offer which is so good, will it be honourable if it is done within the Indian constitutional framework?
History will not forgive us if we are to compromise our rights and honor. The Nagas do not consider either the 16 Point Agreement or the Shillong Accord as honourable solutions. On the contrary, they have been widely condemned and termed as dishonourable and outright attempts to sell the rights of the Naga people and have been the cause of much division and bloodshed.
Let us also not forget the fact that till date the signatories of the Shillong Accord have been branded as “Traitors” for accepting the Indian Constitution. Today if a Naga Political Group or Groups is to accept the Indian Constitution and hold talks with the GoI under the Constitution of India what should we call them? Therefore, any solution should be grounded in the truth of the Naga people’s dignity and identity on the one hand and on the principles of equality and mutual respect on the other. If solution is sought within the framework of the Indian constitution, it nullifies all the values and principles; it would be like building houses on the tombs of those who sacrificed their lives for the Naga Cause and also legitimizing the marriage of a rapist with the minor victim. In short, solution to the Indo-Naga conflict should come from outside the Indian constitutional framework.
