Zhopra Vero
Kedahge, Federal Government of Nagaland
Dear beloved Country Men and Women,
I give all Honour and Glory to our Almighty God for this wonderful day and I thank Him for His continued Guidance and Protection. It is indeed a great privilege for me to address you all on this historic occasion of the Naga Republic Day. The nation is profoundly grateful to the pioneers for their vision and insight in laying a firm political foundation for our people because of which we are able to stand up today with dignity and pride.
The Nation pays tribute and homage to the many martyrs who have made the supreme sacrifice for the Noble Cause. I salute all Naga patriots for their selfless sacrifice in the pursuit of the long cherished Naga dream and aspirations. May their unyielding spirit and selflessness continue to inspire, guide and strengthen us.
Nagaland became a Republic on 22nd March 1956 when the Federal Government of Nagaland was established at Phenshunyu village as the First Tatar Hoho was convened by the Naga National Council by bringing together the Free Nagas, represented by the Hongki Government and the erstwhile Naga Hills District, represented by the Naga National Council. With the National Mandate of 1951 immutably entrusted to them and acknowledging that the Almighty God is the Supreme Sovereign over this world and the authority of the people on the territory as a sacred trust from God, our leaders established our National institution based on the modern principles and ideals of Democracy, Justice, Liberty and Fraternity and instituted the Republic on the concept of the Federal System of Governance. The historic Memorandum to the Simon Commission on 10th January 1929, the Declaration of Naga Independence on 14th August 1947 and the Plebiscite of 16th May 1951 were the foundations which shaped the political course of our people.
As we commemorate this historic Day, we celebrate with pride not only the exemplary lives and courage of the pioneers but also the numerous leaders and countless patriots who have continued and passed on the legacy till date with fortitude. Though over the years the Naga Political Movement has been greatly weakened owing to divisive forces working overtime at the machinations of the enemy, yet the time has now come for Nagas to unite and march forward together to reclaim our historical and political rights. Our legacy lies in our history and we have to trek the charted path resolutely till our rights find full expression. I believe a bright future is awaiting the Naga people if we have the moral strength, commitment and determination to continue the journey.
Nagas have an ardent desire to live in peaceful harmony and have always sought to live in peaceful co-existence with our neighbours. As such for the sake of Peace, the Federal Government of Nagaland actively participated and concluded the political dialogue with Government of India as an entity of the NNPGs Working Committee for a peaceful resolution of the Indo-Naga political issue to arrive at a political settlement which is honourable and mutually acceptable. However, even after a lapse of more than five years, there is no sign of the possibility of a settlement in the immediate future. From the 9th Point Agreement till date, no agreement with GoI has been successful because GoI has always failed to honour them.
Our ancestors were honourable people and their words used to be their law. The British recognized this custom and treated the Nagas as honourable people; despite several conflicts and agreements between the two, no written document was necessitated. But when the Indian leaders made the first agreement with the Nagas, they neither honoured our customs nor their promises. The conflict between the Nagas and India could have been resolved long ago if the Government of India had the political will and sincerity in the attempt to resolve it. The GoI has instead of seeking permanent solution, basically succeeded in prolonging the problem by manipulating the situation.
The recent statement of the Home Minister of India on 20th February 2025 at the ‘Unity Utsav- One Voice, One Nation’ organized by the Assam Rifles at New Delhi may be another example. Without first solving the Indo-Naga Political issue by honouring the Framework Agreement of 3rd August 2015 with the NSCN (IM) and the Agreed Position of 17th November 2017 with the NNPGs, the Home Minister has appealed to the insurgents in the North East to surrender, lay down their arms and join the mainstream. The NNC/FGN hopes that the insurgents of the North East mentioned in his speech does not include the Naga Political Groups because we are Nationalists and we have no intention of surrendering our historical and political rights.
India is regarded as the largest Democracy in the world and despite the bitter experiences of the past, we can only hope that India will live up to her world image by becoming an honourable country. We as a Nation of trustworthy and honourable people have the moral strength to stand by our historical and political rights, still firmly believe that what is rightfully ours cannot be crushed by power or might.
The Federal Government of Nagaland put on record our appreciation to Naga Shisha Hoho (NSH) & the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR). They have been tirelessly and continuously working to unite the NPGs and reconciled the NPGs on the basis of the historical and political rights of the Nagas and to further strengthen the process, convened a meeting of the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) on January 14, 2025 where the authorized representatives of the NPGs met to honestly reason together and explore constructive ways out of the impasse and signed a Treatise. The Treatise recognises the shortcomings of the NPGs before God and the people and committed to become more self-vigilant, responsible and accountable. It says, “In our Strive to strengthen the 2009 Covenant of Reconciliation, we remain committed to honouring the Naga Historical and Political Rights as expressed through the Naga Memorandum to Simon Commission of 1929, Declaration of Naga Independence in 1947 and Naga Voluntary Plebiscite of 1951… We recognize that the Naga ancestral territories and Peoplehood cuts across all artificial boundaries, and we will continue to safeguard and protect these inalienable rights together as a people… We have agreed to implement the Council of Naga Cooperation and Relationship, a working mechanism, to move forward in unity. We sincerely implead and invite all Naga Political Groups and Naga Public to be part of this process.”
On February 18, 2025 representatives of various Naga tribes came together in solidarity to express in one accord the urgent necessity for all NPGs to come together in unity and cooperation while recognizing the constructive steps of the January 14, 2025 Treatise and that the Treatise must be implemented with immediate effect to actualize Naga Unity and reconciliation; and to consciously harness and consolidate Naga solidarity by fostering kindred spirit without borders towards the fulfillment of Naga aspirations.
The NNC/FGN, ever since the change of leadership on October 21, 2024 has established a stable government, has been functioning smoothly and we have been cooperating with other Naga Political Groups. I firmly believe that the Naga goals and objectives will be achieved if we put our faith and trust in the Almighty God, rely on Him and let Him continue to guide us. Today as we celebrate this historic Day, May God’s grace be upon us all and His Wisdom continue to guide us as the Nagas strive to march forward.
God Bless My Nagaland
Kuknalim.
