NSCN Condemns NNPG Leader Zhimomi for 'Accepting' Indian Constitution

Kohima, January 9, 2019:

Naga National Political Groups (NNPG) leader N. Kitovi Zhimomi has drawn sharp criticism from the Government of the People's Republic of Nagalim (GPRN), government-in-exile of the NSCN, for his alleged supplication to the Indian Constitution.

In a statement, N. Kitovi Zhimomi had said, “Working Committee of the Naga National

Political Groups (NNPGs) strongly opposes any move to change the political map of Nagaland. Any solution that will abrogate Article 371 A (of the Indian Constitution) is not acceptable to NNPGs.”

Reacting to this, the GPRN/NSCN, via a statement issued from its 'Minister of Information and Publicity' stated that Naga people have "rejected outright the invitation of the Constituent Assembly of India to join the Union of India and its constitution".

ALSO READ: Cotton Varsity Students Demand Justice for JNU Brethren

Claiming that the 16-point agreement was signed between the Government and a few Naga

"traitors" in the stolen name of the Naga people on the basis of the Article 371 A of the Indian Constitution, the Naga insurgents dismissed the state of Nagaland as a "child of Indian constitution."

Slamming Zhimomi for advocating for the cause of 16-point agreement which apparently does not resolve the age-old Indo-Naga political problem, the NSCN stated that this "never augurs well for his standing with so many years of sacrifice for the Naga national cause."

The NSCN further claims that while the state of Nagaland covers only 16,579 square kilometers, whereas the envisioned 'greater Nagalan'd has 120,000 square kilometers of land. "Who changes the map? Out of 50 tribes, Nagaland state embraces only 16 tribes. Who divides the Nagas?", questions the NSCN.

He also says, “Integration through constitutional and administrative measure… The

administrative system of the Naga tribes in other states shall be worked out as per the

constitutional scheme without any interference or infringement on the Provisions of the

Article 371 A.”

Claiming that all Nagas are one, the NSCN has claimed that terms such as "Indian Nagas, Burmese Nagas, Manipur Nagas, Assam Nagas, Arunachal Nagas and Nagas of Nagaland state are derogatory language used by "colonialists".

Demanding geo-political integration based on sovereign right of the Nagas, the NSCN claims that it is for a territorial integration under one political roof.

Stating that the NSCN does not see any meaningful solution without integration, the NSCN admitted that the political settlement with the Government of India cannot cover Nagas in Burmese occupied areas. "That will be the second phase to be settled with the Burmese Government", it adds.

The NSCN further suggests that PAN Naga Hoho will be a common platform for the Nagas to inculcate and foster the spirit of oneness and unity of all Nagas who are arbitrarily divided by the enemies’ artificial ‘Berlin wall'.

The GPRN has further slammed the NNPG leader for his assertion that the "abrogation of Article 371 A will lead to total collapse of the sovereign rights of

the Nagas.”

"Based on the universal principle of democracy, the Government of India (GoI) has recognized the sovereignty of the Nagas. Our national politics, our national resistance movement and our negotiations with the GoI are centered on sovereignty. And that the Article 371 A of the Indian constitution is the anti-thesis of the Naga sovereignty, the epicenter of Naga politics", the NSCN retorts.

We believe all Naga leaders are advocates of the Naga National cause, not that of the Indian Constitution, states the NSCN.

Support Inside Northeast (InsideNE), an independent media platform that focuses on Citizen-centric stories from Northeast India that are surprising, inspiring, cinematic and emotionally relevant.