Retd. Gcn. T.M. Keyho
Respected Chairman, the Vice President of the NNC and my dear Naga brothers and sisters. I thank you for this opportunity to share my views with you all. I thank the Almighty God for giving all of us this precious opportune time to meet and exchange our views so that we can democratically decide what will be the best for our future.
We are the people who do not believe in factionalism and fratricidal killings but who stand for national integrity, honesty, unity, patriotism and harmony. The first point I want to discuss with you is, why are Nagas confused today? I think Nagas are confused because they have forsaken the ‘Genuine Political Truth’ and gone astray from the true path and lost their orientation and historical justification for our political struggle. The times of fighting with bombs and guns have gone and we have done that successfully to defend and establish our position. Today we reduced our political struggle to fighting among ourselves due to our differences rooted in distrust and rivalry. therefore our strategy and the only armament that will work now to save ourselves and the nation is admitting our mistakes honestly instead of blaming others so that Nagas will be able to come together again and truly trust each other and find final and acceptable political solution for our people. If Lt. Phizo “failed to guide the nation” at that time of the Shillong accord crisis as truthfully alleged, did Mr. Th. Muivah not misguide the nation subsequently? I feel that these core political issues need to be examine honestly without fear, wanting nothing for self interest or defense but solely for the purpose and furtherence of real reconciliation, healing of our land and restoration of our struggle.
I feel that many people including the present Naga National Workers do not know the exact meaning of NAGALAND. This nomenclature was officially coined by the Naga National Council (NNC) which means- all the Naga inhabited areas along with their traditional lands which were treated as if transferred to others by the alien forces without the consent of the Naga people. These entire lands been given by God is the original NAGALAND. This should not be confused with the Indian made puppet state of “Nagaland” within Indian Union. This so called Indian made state of “Nagaland” is only one-third or one-fourth of the size of the original “Nagaland”. It is not proper for us to use “Nagalim” or “Greater Nagaland” because we do not have any agenda to encroach any others land.
There are three different politics in Nagaland today. The first one is Naga National Politics which stands for defending our sovereignty and integrity. The second one is the Indian State Politics with dubious and dirty elections and the third one is factionalism and fratricidal politics. If you cannot differentiate these things, how are you going to lead the Nation? It is high time that Nagas learn who is who and what is what and not rushing here and there beating around bushes and thus creating more confusion and bloodshed.
Message presented by Retd. Gcn. T.M. Keyho at the Naga National Council (NNC) General Meeting at Kuthur Village, Tuensang Nagaland on August 18, 2010.
