Isak, Muivah thank Sumi community
Dimapur, January 15 (MExN): The leadership of the NSCN/GPRN, Isak Swu and Th. Muivah assures that they are “committed to the Naga people” and are “responsible to them” in spite of the ‘divisive policy’ of the Government of India.
Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Th. Muivah issued separate press statements today in the aftermath of the Government of India refusing entry to the two leaders into Zunheboto district.
‘I will never forget the willingness and the trouble that you have undertaken to receive me and Th. Muivah. We might not have been able to meet you as planned but the readiness which you exhibited to receive us has emboldened and encouraged us all the more. We respect and honour you for this’ stated Swu’s message.
Both Swu and Muivah’s messages were addressed to the Sumi community. Both the leaders assured that they would certainly come to visit the Sumi community. A translation of the message said that the contribution of the Sumi people to ‘Naga nationalism’ is recognized and thus adversaries are at work sowing seeds of discord. However, once again Naga people have known what Sumis are and they (Sumi) have encouraged the Nagas. It is through your (Sumi) support that we are able to once again lift our head high among the nations. Continue to stand firm for what is right,’ the NSCN chairman stated in his message
Referring to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ stopping the NSCN/GPRN leaders from visiting Zunheboto, the NSCN chairman said ‘it is not a shame for us to have been stopped by the Indian government from entering into Sumi homeland.’ ‘We will continue to work together in consultation with one another since we are one. (Refer Romans 8:31). Muivah and I will come and meet the Sumi. May God bless you all,’ Isak Swu added.
In his message to the Sumis, general secretary, Th. Muivah said that “I can see the genuine desire of your people in understanding us and the issues that we face today and for their solution also. We cannot but praise God.” Pointing out the positive role of the Sumis, Muivah stated that the sacrifice of the Sumis for the “nation was immeasurable and unprecedented when the Naga nation was passing through its most dangerous period.” He said that the “Sumis have stood their ground and that cannot be forgotten.”
Th. Muivah said the time has come when the Nagas, including the Sumi, cannot afford to fail to understand each other. He pointed out that the sincere initiative to understanding each other is most essential. “It is high time to seek understanding amongst us to decide the right way and become a master of our own fate and not to miss the opportunity,” Muivah said in his message.
“We will not do anything apart from the Naga people and we reiterate our sincere commitment that the Naga people will be part of the final political settlement based on the uniqueness of Naga history,” the NSCN leader said. “People are an integral part of the political solution and we had come searching for you as we all have one single objective of seeking an honourable and peaceful political solution to end the decades-old conflict with India.”
“We are committed to the Naga people and we are responsible to them,” Muivah asserted.
“We do not easily ignore the support of the Naga people because we are democratic people and deeply believe in the philosophy of mutual respect.”
The NSCN leader denounced the “calculated policy of the GoI” to “keep out the Naga people from the political peace process” by “conditioning us not to have democratic interaction with our own people…”
However, Muivah stated, in spite of the divisive policy of the government of India, “We will not fail to come and engage with you again on issues that will affect us and our destiny.” Muivah expressed gratitude to the community for the “earnest efforts” given to welcome him and the NSCN chairman to the land of the Sumi.
