NSCN (I-M) general secretary Th Muivah said that the Framework Agreement which was signed on August 3, 2015, is a “matter of life and death” for the Nagas.
Muivah told the gathering this while addressing the 78th Naga Independence Day celebration at Camp Hebron, off Dimapur, on Wednesday.
Naga Independence Day was celebrated across the Naga areas (in India and in Myanmar) organised and hosted by various Naga organisations.
Giving background on how the Framework Agreement was signed, the NSCN (I-M) leader said that on August 14, 1947, when Naga Independence Day was declared, history was created. It was a proud moment for the Nagas to assert their rights as a nation to be among the comity of independent nations, he said. In conformity with the dignity of the Nagas and as demanded by the UN standard, it was informed to the United Nations (UN) and duly acknowledged, Muivah further said.
The declaration was also informed to the Government of India and the King of England, George VI as well. We did not fail to do the right thing in accordance with the spirit of the UN Charter of Human Rights that mentions “Recognizing that the peoples of the world ardently desire the end of colonialism in all its manifestations”, Muivah added.
The NSCN (I-M) leader then said that, in keeping with the spirit of the UN Charter with sovereign equality of states, it was cabled to the Secretary General of United Nations that read: “Benign Excellency, Kindly put on record that Nagas will be independent. Discussions with India are being carried on to that effect. Nagas do not accept the Indian Constitution. The rights of the people must prevail regardless of size,” he also stated.
“Thus, Nagas have taken into consideration human dignity in accordance with the UN Charter “to encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms”. I am proud to say that in pursuit of our freedom, Nagas have not faulted in any manner that contravenes international law. This is on record,” Muivah added.
Muivah then said Nagas are peace loving people and we have always followed a peaceful process to have our sovereign rights respected and honored. Nagas have been a sovereign nation since time immemorial. “Our great freedom fighters awakened themselves as a people and as a nation to stand up for their rights and assert their independence through non violent resistance and civil disobedience movements,” he stated, adding, “Today, it is our privilege to remember them and pay homage to them for their exemplary leadership, courage and sacrifice for the cause of the Naga nation, inspired by the spirit of Nagalim for Christ”.
78 years down the lane “we have not lost the courage and spirit of freedom that had not waned,” Muivah further said, adding, “We have kept pace with the spirit of the 1997 ceasefire to find a lasting Naga political solution. Our steadfastness in sticking to our guns resulted in signing the historic Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015. This was a milestone achievement of Indo-Naga political dialogue as the sovereign right of the Naga people was recognized after more than seven decades of Naga political struggle”.
Muivah further said that, when NSCN (I-M) signed the Framework Agreement “we have taken much thought for the future security of the Naga people lest we commit another mistake”. He also stated, “Needless to say, the Framework Agreement is a ‘matter of life and death’ for the Nagas. “If we fail to grasp the political significance of FA by displaying total lack of political foresight, the world at large will laugh at us for being frivolous when given such an opportunity to make the best use of the Framework Agreement. Even the time will come when the next generation will question the Nagas of today for their misplaced approach to the given historic Framework Agreement that carried the sovereign identity of the Naga people as a nation. Rather, it would be a “Himalayan Blunder” if the Nagas placed themselves at the wrong side of the Framework Agreement,” Muivah further added.
Muivah then said that, to put on record the recognition of the sovereign identity of the Naga nation, the Framework Agreement mentions “peaceful co-existence of the two entities” which means India and Nagalim will have peaceful co-existence. This may go on for 10 years or 50 years depending on how the mutual understanding is interpreted in the right spirit, he said. “But if India indulges in what is called ‘a departure from what is proper’ between two entities, dragging the vulnerable Nagas into a dangerous political brinkmanship, India shall be accused or held responsible for serious breach of agreement with respect to peaceful co-existence of the two entities as mentioned in the Framework Agreement ,” Muivah cautioned.
The NSCN (I-M) leader then told the gathering that “we fully acknowledge your contribution and forbearance during the course of the movement. This is what we count the most as we have to serve one another to safeguard the political and national identity of the Nagas under any adverse situation”.
Muivah also said, “You know we have all put in a lot of blood, sweat and tears’ to defend our political rights. We have paid a heavy price for the love of our freedom. Our love for freedom means we have to bear one another’s burden. We have to make personal sacrifices for the common good. We cannot have what is ours unless we pay the price. Unless we struggle ourselves, no one else will come forward to help us. Unless we defend our freedom, we risk becoming a lost people. Thank God we have stood the ground”.
Muivah also said “we are very grateful to our Almighty God for giving us many friends and sympathizers both in India and abroad”. They are the people who understand and respect the legitimacy of the Naga issue. “For this reason we have established strong footholds in international organizations like UNPO and others across the world. We are highly indebted for their unflinching support,” he stated.
The NSCN (I-M) leader then said the day the Government of India and National Socialist Council of Nagalim(NSCN) signed the “historic Framework Agreement” on August 3, 2015, the world came to know better about the political rights of the Naga nation. This is no ordinary event in history, he stated. The whole process of the signing ceremony was live broadcast and given the status of a high profile political solemnity, and the world was made to watch to bear witness, Muivah further said.
Importantly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the massing of applauding throngs from his government. It was equally matched by the presence of NSCN dignitaries, he added. “Given the political importance that will go down into Indo-Naga history, Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook the trouble to supervise the details from the beginning to the end. Ironically, the same prime minister has turned cool as the years keep going away. What makes him go slow in implementing the Framework Agreement, his own brainchild? Certainly, he is in default playing with the protracted Naga issue,” he added.
The NSCN (I-M) leader then said, “We know that a stable economy is the survival of the nation. God has not left out Nagalim without any natural resources to sustain the economy of the Nagas”. Nagalim is sitting on a fortune of minerals as God has blessed the Naga nation abundantly, he also said. It is endowed with major mineral resources including petroleum spread out in different parts of Nagalim, he further stated. “It belongs to us and nobody can exploit it at the cost of undermining sovereign ownership. The right of ownership over our land resources is absolute, and no amount of casting covetous eyes will change the course,” he added.
According to Muivah, Nagas are now living through unique moments of our history. The world as we see it is in turmoil, he pointed out. “There is noise around the Naga areas in Myanmar. We cannot afford to stand like a coward when our lands are under threat of being dominated by people of alien origin. Land and people cannot be separated. Whatever may be beside us shall stand the ground to defend our God-given land. Naga nation means people with land (territory) of their own. We shall not tolerate any force on earth poking their nose to keep the Nagas divided either through arbitrary decision or political means,” he mentioned in his speech.
Muivah also said “our forefathers” sacrificed the best of their lives and went through ‘blood, sweat and tears’ to build the foundation for Naga people as a nation. “Why should we allow ourselves to be used as a cheap commodity betraying the vision of our pioneer freedom fighters, to be traded in exchange for short term gain?” he asked. The consequences of our “never caring approach for the well-being of future generations” will certainly put us on the road to political damnation, Muivah added.
Muivah then asked, “What is ‘Nagalim for Christ’ for us if the real essence is misplaced from our hearts?” He added by saying, “How beautiful the Naga political movement would be if we proved ourselves as exemplary figures and accepted the divine inspiration that there is no insurmountable problem if we trust God and surrender our political struggle under His command. Let us stand firm in His name and give glory to Him always”.
