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01/31/2009: "Siege fuels starvation fear Siroy stares at food ‘insecurity’; Ukhrul police to file current status KHELEN THOKCHOM The Telegraph"

Siege fuels starvation fear Siroy stares at food ‘insecurity’; Ukhrul police to file current status KHELEN THOKCHOM The Telegraph

Siroy (Ukhrul), Jan. 30: As soldiers marched through the village road, their boots kicking up perfectly synchronised thuds on the gravel, Athui Mungleng stared blankly at his bare field and pondered on the future and food. Caught in the middle of a war of attrition between the Assam Rifles and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah), villagers in Siroy are living a “borrowed” life, not knowing how to get their next meal.
“I have no idea how I will feed my family. I was forced to stop working in the field or even collect forest produce ever since the troops swamped my village 12 days ago. So far, our 11-member family is living on borrowed money and ration,” said 65-year-old Mungleng.
Mungleng is one of the 1,500-odd residents of Siroy who have suspended their daily lives and livelihoods ever since troops of Assam Rifles surrounded a village camp set up by the NSCN (I-M) on January 19. Since the Naga militants are not allowed to set up camps anywhere outside Nagaland according to ceasefire ground rules, the Assam Rifles laid siege to the den and asked the rebels to either surrender their weapons or move to a designated camp.
The rebels have refused to budge, despite the troops having cut off all supplies — food, water, electricity — to the camp, leading to the current impasse. But the ones to have been hit most by the standoff are the impoverished villagers.
“Villagers can earn at least Rs 100 a day by selling vegetables or forest products like firewood or charcoal. But all such transactions have stopped since January 19,” said Lois Shangh, a teacher at the village. Surrounded by gun-wielding troops, the villagers even put off their seed sowing festival, held between January 27 and 31 each year, to pray for a good harvest.
Zingthanla, a 55-year-old widow and sole breadwinner of a five-member family, has not been able to send her grandchildren to school since the siege began.
She has been among nearly 100 women keeping vigil in the past 12 days to prevent a gunfight between the Assam Rifles and the NSCN (I-M). The troops, of course, have been asking villagers to get on with their lives. The commandant of 10 Sector Assam Rifles, Brig. P.S. Pandher, visited Siroy on Wednesday to assure the villagers that they were safe.
“But we understand the villagers’ worries after so many troops came down. There ought to be some tension and apprehension. But we are here for their safety. They can live their lives. We are here for them,” the commanding officer of 17 Assam Rifles Dharmesh Yadav said.
The assurances, however, have failed to convince the villagers. “The troops are all over the place. They are even occupying our compounds and violating our privacy. We are afraid to go out and work in the fields or jungles. What the troops are saying is simply not practicable,” Solomon, another villager, said.
Since this the sowing time for paddy, the siege is likely to affect the next harvest.
“Now we are facing food insecurity. We may face famine next year unless the troops leave the village immediately. Nobody understands our plight. The authorities should look into the problem,” said Rock Wulgnayon, convenor of the Siroy Non-Violence Committee.
Can’t stop militant forays, say police A STAFF REPORTER The Telegraph


Policemen pay homage to their colleagues killed in the encounter at Sonari. Picture by Eastern Projections
Guwahati, Jan. 30: A day after Ulfa militants gunned down two policemen in the Sonari police station area, the Sivasagar superintendent of police, Shyam Saikia, today expressed helplessness in preventing militant forays into the district from the adjoining Mon district of Nagaland.
Saikia said the district administration had taken up the issue of Ulfa militants finding shelter in the neighbouring state with its Mon counterpart but to no avail.
“They (the Ulfa militants) are taking shelter in Naga villages, which are dominated by the Khaplang faction of the NSCN and there is little we can do from here unless the Nagaland government takes action,” he said over telephone. Several rounds of discussions have been held with his counterpart in Mon district, he added.
Bansbaripathar Chetiachuk, where the two policemen — assistant sub-inspector Bhimkanta Upadhyay and constable Debojit Borgohain — were killed yesterday, is nearly 2km from the inter-state border. They were gunned down by a group of Ulfa militants who were fleeing from an encounter and came across the two policemen on a motorcycle.
The SP said there was no permanent Ulfa camp in Mon district of Nagaland but the militants use Naga villages as their shelter. “NSCN (K) militants have been providing logistical support like helping the Ulfa cadres find refuge in the villages in the district,” he said. The police in Mon district have also expressed helplessness since these villages have NSCN (K) cadres and conducting operation in those villages would only complicate matters. The NSCN (K) is currently in ceasefire with the government. Army sources said Ulfa militants easily cross over to Nagaland after carrying out subversive activities in Assam, especially in Sivasagar district. The group involved in yesterday’s incident did the same.
The pro-peace group of Ulfa today said yesterday’s incident in Sivasagar district could have been averted had the government shown interest in starting the peace dialogue with them. “We still have contacts with various leaders of the anti-talks faction of Ulfa, but they are not willing to join us because we have gone nowhere since we declared a truce in June for lack of interest of the government,” Jiten Dutta, leader of the pro-peace group, said.
Dutta said Rupantor Kakoti, a self-styled sergeant major of the 28 battalion, led the group involved in yesterday’s incident. “Kakoti and others could easily be convinced to join the peace process since these cadres worked with us. But how can we convince them when we ourselves are at a dead end?” he asked. The pro-peace group announced on January 1 that they had severed ties with the Ulfa leadership and would like to start the peace dialogue with the government on its own. The group, comprising cadres of the Alpha and the Charlie companies of the 28 battalion of Ulfa, declared a unilateral ceasefire in June last year. Dutta said the group would place a charter of demands to the government on February 1 and decide its further course of action after that. “We will wait for a few days for the government to respond,” he said.
New outfit in Nagaland? Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network
Kohima, January 30 2009: Has there been a new militant outfit floated in Nagaland ? This speculation was noted after the Dimapur police revovered a cash receipt book with a letter-pad of an outfit christened as United Tribal Defence Army (UTDA) in Dimapur.

In an incident today at around 1:30 pm, an extortionist identified as Lavanthung Patton was nabbed by Dimapur police for demanding money from different businessmen in Marwaripatti in Dimapur on Thursday night.

Cash amounting to Rs.2035 along with a letter pad and receipt book of United Tribal Defence Army (UTDA) was recovered possession of the accused.
Meanwhile, in a major achievement, Dimapur police has nabbed at least 21 persons for involvement in different crimes, including extortion and dacoity during the past one week within Dimapur district of Nagaland. Sources revealed that a total nine dacoits, all Muslims, 10 extortionists and two armed miscreants have been nabbed since January 24 to 30 .

In a case that occurred yesterday, police nabbed two armed biker identified as Itovi Sema and Hukavi Sema for looting an amount of Rs.30,000 from a sand dealers at Naharbari along the National highway-39.One 9 mm pistol with two live rounds have been recovered from their possession. In another incident, three miscreants indentified as Netovi, Vikuto and Inaho were nabbed yesterday for forcibly entering into a Manipuri Hotel near Hong Kong Market and snatching away a mobile handset and Rs.50 from a customer while also bashing up an IRB jawan lodged in the Hotel and demanding Rs.10,000 from him.

In yet another case of extortion, two Semas and two Nepalese identified as Tokuvi Zhimomi, Shihoto, Gopal Bahadur Kutwal and Erose Gurung were taken under remand on Tuesday for reportedly collecting illegal tax in the name of Dimapur Orphans Union.

Cash amounting to Rs.2100 have been recovered from their possession and the vehicle used by them for the illegal collection (Maruti Car -NL01/C1750) have also been seized.

Two armed miscreants identified as Vinihoto Yeptho and Kisito Awomi were arrested for reportedly snatching away an auto-rickshaw on the night from January 24 threatening the driver with a pistol.

A .32 pistol with 6 live rounds have been recovered from their possession while the auto-rickshaw has also been found.

Meanwhile, sources revealed that the East PS has managed to make a major break through in December 3, 2008 highway dacoity, wherein a Manipur bound bus carrying around 45 passengers were looted by a huge group of dacoits along the National highway-39 .

Sources said that the dacoits had looted around Rs.50,000 from the passengers while the victims reported the matter to Chumukedima check post.

Subsequently, the matter was referred to Dimapur East PS and the personnel yesterday managed to nab nine non-locals (Muslims) involved in the robbery.

Sources also revealed that at least 15 miscreants were involved in the robbery, while nine have been nabbed hunt for other accused dacoits are still on. All the cases have been reportedly registered under Dimapur East PS and investigations under process while the arrested persons forwarded to judicial remand.
Indian army operation to flush out rebels from Manipur village From ANI

Siroy Village (Manipur), Jan 30: Army has laid siege of Siroy village in Manipur to flush out rebels belonging to the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Issac-Muivah) or NSCN-IM amid accusations by the villagers that the operation has created fear psychosis.

The personnel of the Assam Rifles contingent have spread in and around the village since January 18, in order to evacuate the NSCN-IM rebels who are holed up there.

The rebels who belong to Nagaland are campaigning for autonomy for the region that includes Manipur.

According to ceasefire ground rules NSCN-IM cannot set camps anywhere outside the territory of Nagaland.

The army siege has created panic and fear amongst the villagers, many of whom have either left or are in the process of leaving the village, fearing a clash between the rebels and security forces. "Life has been affected at a very great extent, mainly the children. They cannot take their daily meals properly. They were shaking due to the sense of insecurity around the village," said Lois Shangh, a resident.

The army plans to continue to cordon the area till the rebels do not move out of Siroy or surrender. India's northeast is home to a complex web of tribal groups, many of whom have launched insurgencies accusing New Delhi of plundering resources and doing little to improve their lives. The NSCN-IM is pushing for self-rule in a "Greater Nagaland", which would include several parts of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh where Nagas live in large numbers.
Pray for Indo-Naga peace process: TR Zeliang (Page News Service)
TENING, JANUARY 30: The 3-days silver jubilee celebration of the Liangmai Baptist Araung (LBA) concluded on Friday with Minister for Planning and Coordination, Evaluation, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry and Parliamentary, TR Zeliang, who attended the last day of celebration as chief guest, calling for peace and harmony in the society.
The celebration, which began on January 27 under the theme 'Celebrate God's Faithfulness', was marked by colourful cultural and musical extravaganzas presented by several young talents, Choir and cultural troupes, besides, enriching the people with gospel of Christ by resource persons.
Addressing the mammoth gathering at Tening Town Local ground during the day long 'Jubilee concert', TR Zeliang called upon the Churches to render prayer support to the ongoing Indo-Naga peace process, and help restore permanent peace in the Naga areas.
Asserting that violence is the main hurdle in taking the development forward, and that the Church plays a pivotal role in moulding life of the people, TR Zeliang said that Church should shoulder a responsibility of bringing peace and harmony in the society. When Church is divided society is divided and when churches are united people are also united, Zeliang said adding the churches should shun themselves from playing any divisive politics amongst themselves.
Zeliang also called for a hand in hand coordination between the politicians and Church leaders in resolving any conflict, adding that the two parties needs each cooperation. He said that church leaders must be able provide corrective advice to the politicians on any issues instead blaming the later for their failure.
"Violence of any kind must be stop. And I appeal to the church to pray and whole heartedly work for peace and harmony in the society", Zeliang said.
He said that these days people have started praising God through various ways, and one of the area Nagas can make used of it to glorify God is the rich and vibrant cultures. However, he cautioned that our cultures and traditions should be put to use only in line with the teaching of Christ.
The Minister, while calling upon the people to work hard and remove the backward tag, reiterated that for any one who is willing to toil and work there is no dearth of opportunity. Stating that the Government is willing assist and help the youths in finding job opportunity in various sectors, however, said that the youths of Nagaland must also be willing work and grapped the opportunity as and when it comes.
He also added that silver jubilee celebration is only a new beginning, urged Liangmai people to set a new vision for the future.
ICI Central Choir from Manipur, Miss Nampiliu and villages choirs and many others musical talents enthralled the gathering during the three days celebration. Rev. Allan Chan of SEED Ministries from Singapore and Rev G. Khing were the main speakers of the jubilee.
Country remembers Father of Nation Agencies
New Delhi : The country on Friday remembered the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, on his 61st death anniversary with a large number of people, including several top leaders, paying homage at his memorial and participating in various programmes dedicated to him. President Pratibha Patil, Vice-President Hamid Ansari and Congress President Sonia Gandhi paid floral tributes to the Mahatma at his memorial at Raj Ghat this morning. Sonia Gandhi was among the first to reach Raj Ghat, where she offered flowers at his memorial. An armed forces battalion lead by the three service chiefs also paid homage to Gandhi, who was assassinated on this day in 1948. A large number of schoolchildren also queued up at the memorial to pay their respects on Martyr’s Day. The day was marked by a number of programmes, including inter-faith prayer meetings, events related to the anti- leprosy day and devotional song recitals at various places. An inter-faith prayer meeting was held at Gandhi Smriti later in the afternoon. A two minute silence was also observed across the nation.
Ceasefire without territorial limits morungexpress
Dimapur : With the standoff tension in Shiroi village between the AR and NSCN (IM) cadres mounting, the Naga Hoho today shot off a letter to the Union Home Minister demanding that the current ceasefire be made to “cover the entire world”. Relatively, the Home Ministry is urged to intervene immediately in the standoff which entered its twelfth day today.
In its representation addressed to Union Home minister P Chidambaram, the Naga Hoho told the Centre that the first ceasefire with the NNC broke down ‘due to the insincerity on the part of the GoI’. “The notion of GoI would be wrong in the context of ceasefire coverage if it covers only the present state of Nagaland and therefore the Naga Hoho put forward stiff resistance that hereinafter, the ceasefire must cover the entire world in letter and spirit”. The Naga Hoho, in reference to the Centre’s ceasefire with the NNC, said the Naga people this time “are not at all keen to lose the ongoing hard-earned peace process”.
Naga Hoho writes to Union Home Minister
On the Shiroi situation, the apex Naga tribal organization informed the minister that the NSCN (IM) cadres at Shiroi had been camping in the village “since few years back with mutual understanding of GoI as well as Indian armed forces”. Yet, the hoho stated, on January 19 at around 2:30 AM, troopers of the 17th Assam Rifles cordoned off the Naga underground activists’ camp and cut off electricity and water supply “to the camp”.
The hoho expressed anxiety that the “starving Naga army” may “create havoc out of desperation”, which will derail the Indo-Naga peace process. Further, the minister was informed of the Assam Rifles’ erecting barbed electrified wires around the NSCN (IM) camp. This is “akin to act of barbarism and sheer violation of basic Human Rights” the hoho said.
The Naga Hoho recounted more of the Shiroi situation to Chidambaram: “…innocent villagers are unable to go to fields, schools and have even postponed the traditional seed-sowing festival which was supposed to be held on 27th January, owing to fear psychosis that are looming in the minds of the villagers with the presence of hundreds of armed forces. Shiroi’s children have also been shifted to other villages as a precautionary measure, the hoho said.
The Naga Hoho stated: “…we have seen with our own naked eyes that all the womenfolk both in Shiroi and Ukhrul are on a sit-in protest in the chilly weather and praying throughout the day for prevention (of) any untoward armed conflict between the NSCN and Assam Rifles”. The Naga Hoho also termed as ‘unfortunate’, that “the location is such that there is no other passage for NSCN (IM) to move out from their camp unless the Assam Rifles pave the way for them based on the principles of ongoing ceasefire between the two entities”. In appeal, the Naga Hoho requested Chidambaram to handle the delicate political situation with utmost care and “bring down the volatility in to normalcy without further impediments”.
‘Eastern Nagas are victims of Naga freedom movement’ morungexpress
Dimapur : With the vision of ‘Social upliftment through Christianity and education’, the Eastern Naga Students’ Association (ENSA) successfully conducted its first educational tour and public mobilisation programme.
During the tour, the ENSA team met the Naga National leaders “of all groups”, the Naga Yuya leaders (the Naga apex body of Myanmar), and the Naga Baptist Convention of Myanmar, hoping to “maintain mutual understanding among all Nagas regardless of territorial demarcation”.
The ENSA team urged the Naga national leaders in particular to seriously consider the situation by realising that “Eastern Nagas are the victims of Naga freedom movement, as ENSA believes ‘to stand or fall’, Eastern Nagaland lies in Naga National Movement.”
A press release signed by the general secretary of ENSA, Y Khomong Khiamniungan, reported that the team attended the Naga Yuya celebration on January 15 at Lahe Town, Eastern Region Khiamniungan Students’ Union assembly session at Thingniungan Village and Thingniu Range Students’ Union at Chuke Village. “The team and the people of Eastern Nagaland had a significant winter in the history by sharing the same fate and suffering,” stated the ENSA general secretary.
Naga Yuya chairman (Aoukatha) Myahko expressed his happiness to ENSA team for openly discussed and shared the need of the younger generation, the release added. Stating that ‘though we live in the same land, we felt distance and strange for decades due to communication gap’, Myahko said that now it is through ENSA ‘in Naga Yuya we will live as one and we can decide the future that relates to the Nagas by keeping stronger relationship with Naga brethren wherever we are.’
The first phase tour programme covered Konyak Region, Tangsang (Heimi) Region, Khiamniungan Region and Lainung Region. The general secretary further informed that the second-phase tour will likely be held this coming winter to cover the remaining three regions including Somra Region, Makuri Region and Para Region. The ENSA team through the release expressed gratitude to all the students, village elders, pastors, well wishers and general public for their warm welcome and hospitality and their cooperation during the tour. The ENSA team, led by their president Michael Kaita, had begun their tour on December 10, 2008, at Longwa village and concluded on January 22, 2009, at Throilo Village (Konyak Region), Lahe district. This was the first educational tour the ENSA has undertaken since its inception in 2004, the release added.
Some important points of Naga sovereignty Vezonu Venuh Morung
Through your esteem local daily, I the undersigned would like to highlights the following few genuine noted points in respect of the birth and formation of the Naga sovereignty, where our fore fathers fights for the rights and cause of the Nagas since from the time immemorial. This publication is indeed aimed at creating a better knowledge of how our leaders and pioneers of the Naga Freedom fighters engage themselves fighting for the better future of the Nagas with firm determination and loyalties. Following few enumerated points are some of the in formation points in regard to the formation and birth of the Naga Sovereignty.
1. From the beginning Nagas were independent people, Nagas were never ruled by any other nation other than themselves. Nagas lives with the feeling of oneness.
2. During the first world war in 1917, Nagas too fights in the war claiming themselves free from ruled of any other nations. Subsequently, a team of Nagas went to French under the Allied Colonel Leber Corps proclaiming that Nagas had their own uniqueness and free from the ruled of whatever nation.
3. It is to be noted that, with the formation of the ‘Naga Club’ in 1918, some Naga leaders were assigned to work for the cause of the Naga rights.
4. Under the initiatives of the Naga Club, a memorandum was submitted to the British Cabinet on 10th January 1929 urging the British government to take note of the rights of the Nagas.
5. It was in 1935 that the British Parliament passed a resolution that Nagas should be excluded from the Indian territory, hence, the covered lands of the Nagas was termed as “Naga Hills Excluded Areas”.
6. Naga Club was abolished on 2nd February 1946; thereby ‘Naga National Council’ (NNC) was formed in its place.
7. The global announcement of 14th August as the “Naga Independence Day” initiated in the year 1947.
8. 99% of the Nagas participated in the famous Naga Plebiscite Day on 16th may 1957. All plebiscite day participants take firm “Oath” provided that they shall be ever faithful and loyal to the Naga Sovereignty.
9. The Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) was formed under the initiatives of the Parasent Sendenyu Area Rengma Region on 22nd March 1956. Following the formation of the FGN, a rainbow colour Naga National Sovereignty Flag was hoisted. Meanwhile, the following designated leaders of the Naga were assigned to read the given Holy Bible verse and thereby they were being blessed by the mandatory of the Nagas to work for the cause of the Naga rights.
(a) Khriesaneisa, FGN Kedahge (President) Roman 10:18. “But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: Their voice has gone out into all the earth, Their words to the ends of the world”.
(b) Wheha, FGN Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister) Mathew 6:33. “But seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well”.
(c) AZ. Phizo, NNC Kedahge (President) Zechariah 4:6. “So he said to me, ‘This is the word of Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by my spirit’, says the Lord Almighty”.
(d) Kruzhalie, FGN Ahng (Governor) Japfu State. Roman 8:33. “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies”.
Meanwhile, General Thongti Chang, Chief of the Naga Army, Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) hoisted the Naga Sovereignty Flag followed by the above stated leaders read their assigned bible verse. Under the banner of “Nagaland for Christ” the leaders were ask to declared themselves as such; “I shall be ever faithful to God and the people of the Nagas in all the pursuing activities of the NNC”.
I also do felt pertinent to analyse the real meaning and objectives of the Famous 1957 plebiscite day participation. The participants of the plebiscite solemnly vowed before God and the man and take the oath as stated under;
(i) That I as a Naga shall honour the NNC and nothing else.
(ii) That I will never be part of the Central Investigation Department (CID) of India that may compel the citizens of the Naga to sold the rights of the Nagas.
(iii) That I shall never do with the name of NNC whatsoever for the personal benefits.
I shall be loyal to the above solemn words, “I vowed before God and man that I shall always lives behind the fellow Naga friends, besides- heaven and earth curse be mine in case I fail to abide by the above words”. This plebiscite participation was done by pressing their cut bleeding thumbs on the white documented paper.
Dear readers, therefore, let us remind ourselves with the loyal deeds of our forefathers who stays firm and committed all the time even in times of great difficulties “May God Almighty blessed each one of us”

(Vezonu Venuh) President,
Naga National Council,
Phek Sub Region
SPEECH OF
HIS EXCELLENCY CHAIRMAN ISAK CHISHI SWU
ON THE OCCASION OF THE 29TH NSCN RAISING DAY 31 JANUARY 2009



Dear Comrades-in-Common Cause,
On this historic raising day of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, I greet you all in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I pay homage and give my revolutionary salute to those departed souls. Their supreme sacrifices are precious and I believe the blood of those martyrs speaks to the Lord as the blood of Abel did.
First of all, I would like to brief you on historical account. Politics and history are inseparable. Naga politics is built upon the foundation of living Naga history, which means, Nagas are free from time immemorial. They have never been a part of Union of India or that of Burma or any other power either by conquest or consent.
Like the Greek city-states, Nagas were living free and independent in their own sovereign village kingdoms till the British imperialist came to control a part of their country. Our forefather fought the aggressors with ‘daos’ and spears in defense of our land, culture, identity and right. Thanks to our father who left the legacy of living history to us. The issue of the Nagas is now left to the present generations. We will be held responsible if it cannot be defended to keep it alive.
After the lapse of the British power, we declared our independence on 14 August 1947. Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian nation recognized our right to be free. But after his death the post Gandhi leadership waged war on Nagalim with a view to subjugate the Nagas. In their attempt at subduing the Nagas they adopted the policy of divide and rule to keep the Nagas ever divided. Accordingly, the so-called 16-point agreement was reached in 1963, which physically divided the Nagas. When the Indian government tried to politically annihilate the Naga nation, it was strongly resisted and saved under the banner of NNC, the then authentic political organization of the Naga people. The Revolutionary Government was a setback plotted in collaboration with a faction of workers. The Shillong Accord was another attempt of the Indian State upon the life of Naga nation through Naga traitors. However, it was totally rejected by the people in National Assembly. Since annihilation of Naga nation has been the policy of Indian State the Government of India through the persons of some elements of Shillong Accord staged a military coup with an eye to finish those remnant revolutionaries.
The Indian expansionist found a good friend in SS. Khaplang through whom the bloodiest abortive coup attempt was made in 1988. Recently we have witnessed another attempt made by the Indian state through some deserters to tear down the edifice of NSCN in the stolen name of unification. In fact, we have already officially declared the policy of unity through reconciliation and forgiveness. But the hard reality is that we are witnessing division between the patriots and traitors, loyalists of the people and deserters. Khaplang claims that he is for the people when he is hosting all the anti-Naga elements at his camp. He is collaborating with the enemies of the people when people are fighting against them. Where is his nationalism? In spite of the fact, we have stated time and again that we are for principle-based unity, not unity in capitulation. Solution is the priority. Everything hangs on the pendulum of solution. If solution comes the rest will follow suit.
Ours is a resistance movement for defending the land we belong. The war we are fighting is not a contest of strength. It is a war of just and unjust, right and wrong. It is a movement for national future, peace and progress in Nagalim and the world as well. And that our case cannot be viewed in isolation. It is part of the global problems. Naga Nation is rooted on solid ground of a principle and it will stay the course even if the world falls apart. In the matter of approach to the confronting problem, NSCN is deeply committed to political solution and we will continue to do so.
We are not begging freedom from India or Myanmar or for that matter from any others. Freedom of a people is inbuilt and it is our inherent right. We are not asking territory from any other states. We have our own territory inherited from our fathers. The good Lord has created the earth for all, big or small and even the smallest animal and nation have their own share in it. Whether the Naga people want to join the Union of India or that of Myanmar or be free, it is their divine right to decide it by themselves. On the question of deciding their future, the Naga people themselves are the prime factors. On top of that, we have been struggling under the banner of Nagalim for Christ and the presence of the Lord has been with us thus far and I strongly believe that His presence shall continue to go with us till to the last.
We believe in the doctrine of inter-dependent relationship of people and nations inasmuch as everything on earth is inter-related and nothing stands in isolation. We do not nourish enmity towards any of our neighbors particularly India and Myanmar. We have been good neighbors since time immemorial and we will continue to maintain that spirit. However, we cannot ignore the fact that we have an issue with India and Myanmar and we will try to settle it through political means for any tangible solution acceptable to both parties. We rule out violent means and we condemn any attempt at settlement of the issue through military might, which has been proved a futile exercise. This is the era of democracy and we are committed to settlement of all human problems through dialogue based on mutual respect, understanding and recognition of rights. We also believe that there is no problem, which we cannot solve through discussions.
Comrades, we have to be prepared for freedom, which demands of us the revolutionary spirit in every worker. We know all the nation-states are the creations of revolutionary people and independent states are the homes of brave revolutionaries. I hope we too have revolutionary generations to liberate our people from all kinds of bondages. Last but not the least; it is the faith force that matters. We must amend our ways and reaffirm our decision for the Lord’s battle.

KUKNALIM!

SPEECH OF RH. RAISING SECRETARY, STEERING COMMITTEE, NSCN ON 29TH NSCN RAISING DAY, THE 31ST JANUARY 2009(f)

Why the birth of NSCN was necessitated? What are the achievements and failures of NSCN?
A people are safe and secured only when they are placed in an organized condition. A people are a force only when they are organized under the banner of one national organization. Unorganized people are vulnerable to all dangers from both within and without. To cite a few examples – Buffaloes live together, but they are not organized into a force to defend themselves from any predator. That’s why they become innocent victims of those predators. Like buffaloes, there are people who just live together without any political vision and organization only to be carried away by the waves.
On the other hand, there are animals like lions, wild dogs, bees etc. They are organized animals who live together, hunt together and defend themselves together. No predators can defeat them. Likewise, organized people are always the victors.
Our honorable General Secretary Th. Muivah used to say, “The world goes its own way independent of man.” As a matter of fact, it does not go accordingly to the sweet will of man. There was a time when man was the faithful subject of nature. There was also a time when man and nature live together in harmony. But this is the era where man strife to become the master of his destiny and everything. In order to subdue nature and become master of everything, man needs a giant machine called State. How big or great he might be an individual can never subdue the nature. The sun, the air, the water are being harnessed for producing sources of power for humankind.
Nagas were living together in the same world, but under different thousands of sovereign units, which may not be viable in modern context. After the First and Second World Wars, they organized themselves into one political entity under the banner of NNC. Emotional integration was brought about by the leadership of NNC. The Naga people under the leadership of NNC raised the issue to the highest platform and even earned recognition of some sympathizer countries. But as the downfall of Roman Empire was brought about by the Romans themselves so also the downfall of NNC was brought about by NNC themselves. Any organization that has betrayed the principle naturally no longer represents the cause of a people. Politically speaking, the Shillong Accord is nothing but an accord of treason and no amount of argument can justify it.
Leadership comes and goes; organization comes and goes, but the principle stands forever. The Principle does not change and it cannot be changed and destroyed. Generation comes and goes, but revolution stays to liberate people from all kinds of bondages and make them grow to the fullest size.
The rational Nagas today and the revolutionary generations have got to think of their national future beyond NNC. In fact, we have reasons to appreciate and value those achievements made during its leadership and I am sure of it that they have gone into the pages of history. But the reality is that NNC had parted with history from 1975. Nagas have no point to look for their future in the dead organization. The Shillong Accord cannot be the end of Naga politics. The Nagas have a long way to go, but they were left without an organization to inspire and guide them in their struggle for their destination. Liberation of a people without an organization is a wishful thinking. Thus the question came, ‘Who will go and fight for us and under what banner?’ Out of such historical necessity, NSCN was formed to be approved by the National Assembly on January 31, 1980.
NSCN is neither a party nor an organization of a group of people as supposed by some people from some quarters. It is a national council (organization) that represents the aspiration and future of the four million Nagas today and generations to come. It was founded on the rock of ‘Sovereign Independent Christian Socialist Democratic Republic.’
In the past, the Naga army units in the regions were highly communalized. All units were manned by their respective tribes, which was to me, the seat bed of tribalism. It was the leadership of NSCN who centralized them.
Nationalism and religion are not inimical to each other. They are closely inter-related. Nationalism is a historical force to be reckoned with. Equally Religion is also a historical force that shapes the thinking of people. Our movement was identified by some sectarian elements as the movement of the Baptist Church. The virus of sectarianism thus infected the mindsets of some workers to some extent. It is the leadership of NSCN that formed CNC (Council of Nagalim Churches), the umbrella organization of all churches.
Each and every Naga is by culture, socialist-oriented. The activities of the Nagas throughout the year are all acts of socialists. They work together in groups or peers, dance and sing together, fight together, hunt and fish together. They build their houses together free of cost. Every one contributes his/her best to the common cause. This kind of socialist culture is our social values to be treasured most. Socialist spirit is the social bond that binds people together for a common good. Our fathers could not imagine of a village, a society, a Hoho or a nation without that spirit. In fact, we do not see anyone of them moving forward without that spirit. The system of all the nation-states and the international community will die a natural death the moment socialist spirit dies in them. Basing on the social values of the Nagas, the leadership of NSCN put the word ‘national socialist’ in our manifesto and constitution, which I hope, will be a guiding spirit to the Nagas of all generations. Generation comes and goes; nation rises and falls but the torch of the socialist will ever burn. It is this spirit that had dismantled the edifices of imperialism, colonialism, autocracy, expansionism and all oppressive systems in history. NSCN is for the revival of that socialist spirit in every Naga of all generations. Any one of us who does not have that spirit in him is out of the track. And whoever condemns it has no understanding of the Naga social values. It is, without doubt, a part of Naga culture. And that we can never stay away from it.
Our war strategy was confined to guerilla warfare. It was a fighting within the enemy encircled areas. It is NSCN who changed the warfare from fighting within the box to outside the box, guerilla warfare to mass warfare, military warfare to political warfare and isolated warfare to collision warfare. NSCN took up the issue from the scrap of the Shillong Accord to the Prime Ministerial level talks. It raised the issue to the level of international platform. In fact, the revolutionary spirit of the NSCN is quite laudable. NSCN know how to fight with machine gun and how to capture enemies’ camps. But it should also be told that they must know how to win over the minds of the enemies they fight. Those who capture the hearts of the enemies are greater than those who capture a city with sword. Of course, NSCN are good at fighting, but that fighting is only one dimension of revolution. We must also try to be good at other dimensions too. We must also be equally good in the politics of construction. After completion of the politics of liberation and construction, we have yet another politics of production and management. Finally, we will be heavily engaging in the maintenance and defense of what we have made.
However great our achievements are, there is gradual moral degeneration among the NSCN members. It is regrettable to learn that our national socialist forces are reducing to tribal force, national heroes to tribal warlords. Our glorious socialist mindsets have been communalized and individualized. The virus of communalism, immorality, egoism, autocracy have taken deep root in the veins of many NSCN members. If we do not amend our ways when it is not too late I am sure, we will be chosen out before long.
Let us therefore, take a strong decision to renew ourselves – physically, mentally and spiritually for our cherished goal.

God bless Nagalim for Christ.
God bless NSCN.
God bless the Naga People.