On the occasion of 43rd Raising Day of NSCN, chairman of NSCN (I-M) Q Tuccu recalled that the Naga political movement was never a smooth sailing, and reminded that the Naga freedom fighters were undergoing a gruelling test of physical and mental fortitude at one occasion in the history.
The Naga nation was tested like never before because it was a question of saving the history and political identity of the Nagas, he stated in his message. “Let us thank God as he gave the Naga leaders the political wisdom and courage to organise the Naga political struggle under the banner of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN),” he stated.
“Ever since NSCN came into existence we have lost many brave hearts that made supreme sacrifices embracing martyrdom in defence of our history, our people and our God’s given political identity,” he stated. They went through a real testing time to face undignified death so that the Nagas may live with dignity. They proved themselves that they are in NSCN for a cause and ready to stand by NSCN till the last drop of their blood, he stated.
Mentioning that NSCN’s Naga Army celebrated the Naga Army Day recently, he added that the Naga Army is the pride of the Naga political movement. NSCN today is standing tall because of the Naga Army, he stated.
The Naga Army should always be prepared to face any eventuality to defend the Naga nation. They should keep in mind that the price of freedom is “eternal vigilance,” he added.
“Our historical and political rights are cleared before the world. For the legitimate rights we protected, NSCN was successful in getting Nagalim admitted into UNPO (Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization) as a bona fide member,” he stated. Today, many international organisations are solidly behind UNPO to support NSCN, he added.
“We are being tested again by the Government of India using her mighty Army to apply outrageous violence empowered under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), against innocent Naga civilians,” he continued.
What happened at Oting in Mon district of Nagaland where 14 Naga villagers were massacred by the 21st Para Special Forces on December 4 and 5, 2021 is one of the most painful incidents in the history of the Naga political struggle, he further stated, adding, “we are with the Oting and Konyak people and together we shall fight for justice.”
24 years ago, the Government of India officially signed the second Naga Ceasefire with NSCN (I-M), the only legitimate political organisation leading the Naga political movement, he mentioned.
“The Naga political dialogue that followed is still going on and we have achieved much and it was God who guided us all the way to sign the much hyped historic Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015 with the Central government directly supervised by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he stated.
This is the only key to an honorable and acceptable solution for a durable peace. NSCN (I-M) is totally against economic packages or imposed political packages as these are far from giving the Nagas the lasting solution, he stated.
“On this historic occasion, we cannot afford to ignore our tall leaders who are behind forming the NSCN. They are no more with us today. But their spirits continue to linger among us to inspire and uplift our morale to work for the Naga nation with renewed vigor and commitment. Let us follow their footprints,” he added.
