By : Qhevihe Chishi Swu
Convener, Steering Committee NSCN
The hard reality is that everything comes from the principle and that nothing stands when the principle is murdered. The Naga nation is in the Naga national principle as the oak tree is in the acorn. After the failure and betrayal of NNC to the cause, the Naga people were left without a political organization to guide and lead the people in their national movement. People without their national organization are just a group of individuals living together without any orientation to a common future. Our national political principle has to be defended at all costs if we are to stay alive as a free people. So the question arises who will go and fight for the people and advocate for their cause? People as individuals however strong and wise they may be can never save a nation. It will be saved only through a mandated national organization. Out of such circumstances and historical necessity the competent authorities convened a national assembly and it unanimously approved the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) on January 31, 1980, at Tonu, which was formed in the national workers meeting at Nokba village. NSCN is not a faction as alleged by some people from some quarters. No one should doubt about the legitimacy of NSCN as the one and only authentic political organization of the Naga people. It is built upon the solid ground of Naga national principle. It is undoubtedly a principle-based organization that has passed through many acid tests of trials and ordeals.
Even after the murder of NNC the Naga people continued their struggle but under the banner of NSCN, which is now running decades. But where were those stooges of the enemies when NSCN under the leadership of Isak and Muivah fought against the enemies in the east and west shedding tears and blood? Where were they when NSCN campaigned in the international political platform for support to the cause of the Nagas covering five continents?
2 Where were they when NSCN organized the people into a formidable political force under one banner? Where were they when NSCN and Government of India (GoI) entered into a ceasefire agreement on the basis of the declared three terms? Where were they when GoI, in response to NSCN’s unwavering stand on their history, recognizes the unique history and position of the Nagas? By unique history it means – the Nagas have been a free people and they have never ever been a part of India or others either by conquest or consent. The term unique history may not be applicable to those people who have sold out their history. Where were they when NSCN and GoI mutually agreed to accept the universal principle that sovereignty lies with the people and that sovereignty of the Nagas lies with the Naga people and sovereignty of India with the Indian people? Is not the recognition of our sovereign right a giant step? Do they understand the differences between shared-sovereignty of the two entities and division of autonomous power between the center and the state? One school of thought advocates for total sovereignty, which justifies absolute monarchy whereas another school of thought advocates for pluralism, which validates shared-sovereignty between two entities. People and nations today do not believe in the concept of total isolationism. They are now for the doctrine of interdependent relationship among people and nations. Coexistence of the two entities/equals is a natural as well as social necessity. Where were they when GoI recognized the sovereign right of the Nagas over their land and its resources beneath and above it? 3 Where were they when GoI recognizes NSCN as the legitimate organization of the Naga people that represents the aspiration and the issue of the Nagas? Many things have happened in Nagalim during the leadership of NSCN. In spite of the fact, they are talking nonsense as if they are ignorant of what has happened in their own country. We suppose they were somewhere in other planets or perhaps, they are too young to understand the issue. The Nagas have a lot of reasons to thank and appreciate the present Indian leaders who have taken bold steps vis-à-vis Indo-Naga political issue especially the honorable Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, the architect of the historic ‘Framework of Agreement.’ They are committed and prepared to work out the best possible solution that respects the right of the Nagas and guarantees the security of India. Let us not blame the Indian leaders or the Devil. They are not the roadblocks, but it is those Naga critics and traitors. It is political talks between the GoI and NSCN as two entities where Mr. R. N. Ravi, the emissary of the Prime Minister of India, represents the GoI and Mr. Th. Muivah and his team (NSCN leaders) represents the Naga people. Mr. R. N. Ravi has said that there arises no question of many negotiations and many solutions. There is only one issue, one negotiation and one solution. Therefore, government of India is talking with the NSCN as two entities. On the issue of reconciliation and unification of all groups the late honorable Chairman Mr. Isak Chishi Swu had issued a statement appealing to all without exception to forgive our past mistakes as we have forgiven them too in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. He had also appealed to them to get on board the bus of the ‘Framework Agreement.’ If they do not come forward it is their problem. A handful reactionary elements nurture the wrong notion that rebellion against the established government is a service to the people. It is treasonous. They are making a paper tiger out of a rat so that revolutionary patriots are intimidated. What
4 absurdity! They are illegitimate child of the enemies of the Naga people. Our people know that they are being paid and guarded by the hostile agency and forces. They have deviously stated that the taxation system of the government is a ‘looting machine.’ Be it informed that they are false preachers who are out there to poison the mind of the people in the sweet name of democracy and freedom of speech. Even if they keep preaching against the government, we believe every sensible Naga understands the fact that taxation is the bloodline of all governments on earth. Every citizen is duty-bound to pay taxes to the government. Governments by law collect taxes, direct or indirect, from all goods, properties, institutions, land, water and everything, even a needle. If any one defies payment of taxes to the government he is committing a great sin against the state. It is nothing but an attempt to pull back the wheels of history. In fact, NSCN has been running the legitimate national government of the Naga people since day one with taxes from the people. People are our political as well as economic banks.
However, extortion and illegal taxations being collected by illegal organizations and business mafias in the stolen name of the people and revolution has to be combatted and dealt with firmly by the government.
