Naga Students' Union demands PM Modi for 'Honourable' and 'Inclusive' Solution to Naga Issue

Kohima, September 25, 2019:

Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding an ‘honorable political solution’ to the Naga political issue.

NSF has submitted a Memorandum to the PM, appealing to usher in an 'era of Peace' through a political solution that defines and recognizes the identity of the Naga people.

“We believe that the right time has come for the Government to recognize and materialize Nagas' desire and the right to live together under one political roof,” the NSF stated.

Undersigned by President, Ninoto Awomi and General Secretary, Liremo R Kikon, the statement drew the Prime Minister’s attention to the Naga people’s unique history and the solution that can be put forth based on the former.

According to the NSF, Nagalim was placed within the Indian union neither by conquest nor by the consent of the Naga people, unlike the then Princely States which went to form the Indian Union. “The Naga leaders never agreed to be a part of India. They neither signed the instrument of accession nor did they gratify the Indian Independence Act 1947. This is the unique history of Naga and same has been acknowledged by the Government of India,” read the statement.

The NSF further demanded the PM not to compare or subject the Naga issue to any other political issue in the country, and even abroad.

The students’ union has demanded a solution that is ‘unique in letter and in spirit’.

“Since time immemorial, each individual Naga village was a sovereign republic. No invading forces or kins could exert their dominance over the entire stretch of Naga territory. Even the Britishers post-1885 had adapted the policy of non-interference of Naga Hills after they overran Assam. On 10th January, 1929, the Naga Club, on behalf of the Naga people, submitted a memorandum to the Simon Commission that Nagas would not want to be part of soon to be independent India,” it said in the statement.

“On August 14, 1947, Nagas declared their independence under the banner of Naga National Council from any imperialistic forces and communication to the effect was sent to the UN. On May 16, 1951, during the Naga National Plebiscite, 99.9 % of Nagas reasserted the declaration of independence,” informed NSF in its memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Stressing on the need for inclusivity, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) said, “Today the word ‘inclusiveness’ has become the most debated word and interpreted according to the various perspectives of the negotiating parties and even the onlookers.”

The Naga Students Federation further added that the Naga people had been divided within the parameters of the Indian subcontinent without their consent or knowledge. “This has been one of the most painful subjugations in the history of the Naga people. Therefore, if any solution is sought without the consolidation of the Naga people who are now divided and placed into different political administrations of India and Burma, it will be self-defeating and unacceptable,” stated NSF in its memorandum.

It is to be mentioned here that NSF has time and again mentioned the need for a constructive solution to the protracted Indo-Naga issue that should be based on mutually agreed principles of India and Nagas. In its statement to the PM, it clearly stated, “…Naga people shall never accept a solution that is imposed upon the Nagas.”

Expressing discontentment over the past agreements such as the 9-point and 16-point deals in 1947 and 1960 respectively, NSF said that those failed to bring about lasting solution to the Naga issue.

“One fact is that, the Nagas will not accept if the issues which are dear to their hearts are not addressed through a solution,” said NSF, adding that such an attempt will only plunge the Naga society into a ‘dark phase of bloodshed and violence’.

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