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06/23/2010: "PRESS INFORMATION NSCN Pughoboto visit"
NATIONAL SOCIALIST COUNCIL OF NAGALIM
PRESS INFORMATION
Pughoboto: 22nd June, 2010
Th. Muivah, General Secretary of the NSCN reached Pughoboto from Jotsoma at around 11 AM. on 21st June. He was accorded a very warm welcome by the Sumi Nagas from in and around Pughoboto town. Striking and impressive war dance was performed in honour of the General Secretary and his team. Thereafter, a marathon interactive public meeting was held in the local ground and the town hall for around five and half hours.
Appreciation and contribution of the Sumis
The General Secretary movingly mentioned the contribution of the Southern Sumis towards the Naga national cause. The protection and care in terms of food and security given to the national workers was spontaneous. They could move freely all over Sumi homeland during the hard days of struggle. He stated that he had come again trusting and believing in the Sumi people.
He declared that these are significant times when the Nagas have to take a key decision. According to him Nagalim is a God-given land for the Naga people and we have to take the best decision for this God-given gift. He challenged the people whether they will be able to face the ideas of changes that will come and warned the people about the danger of living complacently. During the transformation of events it is important to understand what is best for the Nagas and warned the people of having a servitude mentality. He told the people that he had come to reason together on account of the dangers that Nagas may be caught unaware.
On the Naga National Council (NNC)
The Nagas under the banner of the Naga National Council (NNC) took the correct decision and showed the way for the Nagas. The NNC under the leadership of A.Z. Phizo, Imkongmeren, Kughato Sukhai, T. Sakhrei, Khodao Yanthan and others did not compromise on the Naga national rights. They valued Nagalim, the God given land for the Naga people. When all other nations failed to exercise their right to decide their own future, the Nagas took the right decision to be the master of ourselves.
He informed the people that a crucial time came for him and Chairman Isak Chishi Swu to take decision concerning the fate of the Nation. When the 1975 Shillong Accord was signed the nation was in peril. A.Z. Phizo had failed to condemn the Accord, therefore, Isak Chishi Swu and Mr. Muivah as Vice President and the General Secretary respectively wre determined to save the destiny of the nation. The NNC and the Federal Government of Nagaland and the leadership of A.Z. Phizo had to be saved at any cost. Accordingly, the Accord was condemned in the name of NNC. A.Z. Phizo’s position was reaffirmed the President of NNC and in addition to that he was made the President of FGN respectively. But ironically the two of them were accused of condemning the Accord which AZ Phizo did not and subsequently the Martial Law was declared and arrested the two leaders and seized the power of NNC, declaring that all powers were in their hands.
In the events that followed they formed the National Socialist Council of Nagalim on January 31, 1980.He emphasized the fact that the 1975 Shillong Accord destroyed the foundation of the Naga National rights. In surrendering there was nothing left for the Nagas. The NSCN since its formation took the right decision to stand through and they fought well on all fronts. The best armies and Generals faced defeat in their hands.
He spoke about the time when he and Chairman Isak Chishi Swu had to take a crucial decision concerning the fate of our nation. He emphasized the fact that during the most difficult situation the Nagas did not have a Moses or Caleb yet, Chairman Isak declared that, if Nagas and Nagalim would be for Christ, he would stand to the last. Chairman Isak did not fail in his time. The General Secretary considered it a big honour to be the leader of the nation. He told the audience that he and Chairman Isak have been together in the struggle now for almost 47 years. He added that Chairman Isak has been consistent in his commitment. And most importantly he also had made presentations on Naga political case several times at the UN Human Rights Commission and other international conferences.
On evangelization of eastern Nagas
He recounted the story when they were based in Eastern Nagaland. The Chairman and his lady wife Eustar, Brigadier Vidai and wife, Lt. Colonel Masasui Vashum, Dr. Eunice, Ikhres Muivah and many others evangelized the eastern Nagas and more than 50, 000 were baptized. Schools and churches were established in the villages. But sections of Nagas including the Reverends from the western Nagaland started a systematic campaign against them by branding them as communist. They were misunderstood for years but later some conscientious Konyak Naga Reverends-Rev. Mangka p and Rev Chingang came and witnessed the truth. They realized that it was a concocted campaign.
On the Indo-Naga Cease-fire
He gave the account leading to the Indo-Naga cease-fire and the political peace process that began on August 1, 1997. The Indian Generals including Shankar Roy Chaudhury, Chief of Army Staff, Indian army declared that military solution was no longer possible and subsequently five Prime Ministers of India admitted that the Indo-Naga issue was political. The talks began at the highest level, without pre-condition and outside India in a third country and later the Government of India (GOI) recognized the “Uniqueness of history and situation” of the Nagas by the Amsterdam Joint Communiqué of July 11, 2001. He informed the people about the ongoing political negotiation between GOI and NSCN and it could be settled, basing on the ‘ Uniqueness of Naga history and mutual respect. He added that, recently the Prime Minister of India also had expressed the need for an honourable political settlement acceptable to both the parties at the earliest possible time.
On Reconciliation and the Sumis
In the interactive meeting the Southern Sumis appreciated the message of reconciliation and requested that the ban on the Sumi Hoho be lifted. The General Secretary appreciated the wisdom in such an appeal from the Sumis in and around Pughobuto area. He expressed his respect for the rational views and opinion of the southern Sumi including their GB’s and the conscientious individuals.
He emphasized the point that Isak Chishi Swu had given the best of his life for the national cause and he is still standing firm. Yet, he and other national workers were ex-communicated by the Sumi Hoho. He called attention to the fact that Chairman Isak was not a criminal. He was the one of the leaders who had saved Naga nation from the treacherous Shillong accord and proved himself. He was respected on account of his contribution to the nation. Under his leadership the NSCN has entered into political negotiation at the highest level. Later after 5 years and 10 months the GOI had also recognized the “Uniqueness of Naga history and situation of the Nagas”. Therefore, what crime has Chairman Isak committed and he questioned whether a person who has proved himself should be treated in that manner. He saw that there was lack of rationality and sensibility in the present leadership of the Sumi Hoho when they acted in such a manner. He questioned whether Chairman Isak was ex-communicated just to please the enemies.
He also pointed out that during the reconciliation process many derogatory remarks and statement were published in the local dailies against the NSCN leadership that they were “terrorist” and must leave Nagaland within 24 hrs They also stated that Naga issue would be solved by the Nagaland Nagas. He pointed out that no one was above the nation. He recounted the historical fact that the Semas and Angamis had done well to mobilize the whole Naga Nation including those from the South. The Nagas emerged as a force. Yet, today some irrational individuals and groups were reducing the Naga issue to Nagaland state !!! He was baffled with fact that a section of Sumis led by Azheto deserted Hebron when the Nagas were having political negotiation at the highest level as two entities and without any pre-condition and they have set up camp with the protection of the Assam Rifles at Khehoi.
Such negative steps if taken to the extreme will have no meeting point in the Naga reconciliation process, he added. He also emphasized the fact that reconciliation will be worked out at the highest level. He pointed out that the ban of Sumi Hoho was not done against the Sumi community but it was an issue based decision against the wrong leadership.
Yet, considering the wisdom and appeal of the Southern Sumis and conscientious Sumis he replied that in the name of Christ, peace and reconciliation appeal will be considered favorably following a proper procedure of the organization and in consultation with our Chairman, Isak Chishi Swu. He mentioned that he respected sensible statement of facts. He valued the lifelong sacrifice of Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and felt a sense of loss as the Chairman could not be present with him but he considered the latter’s absence had made it all the more urgent for him to visit and talk with the people in his homeland in Pughobuto.
Conclusion
The reception in honour of Th. Muivah, General Secretary NSCN began with a prayer by Rev. Sukhalu, Evangelist of SABAK and the welcome address was given by Yeshito Chishi Swu GB Ghathashi. The meeting was chaired by and Suhoje GB and ended with prayer by Rev.Kiyezhe Chishi ES NCRC. The General Secretary speech was well translated by Rev.Kiyeto ES SABAK. The journey to the southern Sumis in their beautiful town Pughoboto is yet another milestone in our journey towards peace and reconciliation. On the foundation of Christ and the Naga National rights based on the “Uniqueness of Naga history” a good foundation has been laid yet once again.
Information Desk
Ato Kilonser’s Office,
NSCN/GPRN
