In the annals of India’s history, the Shillong Accord of 1975 stands as a pivotal moment, aiming to bring peace and stability to the region. However, amid the complexities of the peace-building, the non-signatory status of the Naga National Council (NNC) to this accord raises pertinent questions particularly the residency of NNC or Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) members in the Kohima transit peace camp since the camp is the outcome of the Shillong Accord.
It is a well known fact that the Shillong Accord, signed between the representative of the Government of India and the representative of the Underground Organizations sought to resolve the Indo-Naga conflict by agreeing to work ‘WITHIN’ the Indian constitutional framework. NNC never delegated its members to have any kind of talks with the Government of India or to sign ‘Shillong Accord’ with them, and the term ‘Representatives of Underground’ is a phrase coined by GOI to have talks with some individuals by themselves. And so, the transit camp is supposed to be maintained by the Government of India themselves.
The NNC, the key stakeholder representing Naga aspirations, did not endorse the accord, thereby maintaining its stance outside the agreement. Several years after the Shillong Accord was signed, on the 6th of May 1996, Zashie Huire, the then President of the Federal Government of Nagaland disowned and rejected the Shillong Accord since it did not have the endorsement of the NNC/FGN. Therefore, the continued residency of the NNC/FGN members in the Kohima Transit Peace Camp does not arise and should not be unless or otherwise the occupancy of the peace camp is underground members.
In the light of this historical context, it is essential to recognize the significance of adherence to agreements in fostering trust and stability in fostering conflict resolution efforts. While the Kohima transit peace camp serves as a platform for dialogue and reconciliation for the underground organizations, the presence of NNC or FGN members, given their non-alignment with the Shillong Accord, raises a million dollar question. What are they doing there? Why are they still residing within the compound of the peace camp? Why are they operating from inside the camp? Do they claim to be the underground organization? If not, then why are they residing there? If yes, then let them declare to the Naga public that they are the underground organization who had signed the Shillong Accord of 1975 and had betrayed the Naga cause.
NNC had conducted the Naga Plebiscite in 1951 which resulted to 99.9% in support of Naga sovereignty and that everyone knows about it. At the same time history tells us that NNC is not a signatory to the infamous Shillong Accord of 1975 but if implementation is executed by the NNC/FGN then they have become an underground organization. They no longer enjoy the mandate of the Naga people. Therefore, anyone who claims to be NNC or FGN but still reside and operates inside the transit peace camp is an underground member and not a national worker or a freedom fighter, they are a mere criminals kept inside so as to let them transform and return to normal life. They cannot be allowed to call themselves as national workers or NNC/FGN members.
Furthermore, upholding the principles of inclusivity and mutual respect necessitates a collective commitment to honoring past agreements and recognizing the concerns of the stakeholder involved. By allowing the residency of NNC or FGN members in the transit peace camp, without addressing the Naga National interest perpetuates divisions and impeding genuine progress towards the cause of Naga sovereignty.
While the Kohima transit peace camp symbolizes hope for progress in the Naga peace process for the undergrounds organizations, it is imperative to navigate its operations with careful consideration of historical agreements and the concerns of all stakeholders. Given the NNC’s non-signatory status to the Shillong Accord of 1975, the residency of those members of the underground organization claiming to be NNC or FGN members in the camp is unwarranted. Anything or any statement that comes out from the hierarchical system of Kohima transit peace camp represent the underground organization and does not represent NNC/FGN. The Naga people who are automatically member of the NNC because of the participation of our forefathers in the Naga Plebiscite of 1951 must ensure and save the integrity of Naga National Council and the Federal Government of Nagaland. A time will come and has already come when the age old prophecy will be fulfilled and all the Naga political groups will once again unite under NNC to stand for our birthright and liberate the Nagas.
KUKNALIM
Issued by Speaker, Tatar Hoho, Federal Government of Nagaland
