Insurgency is no longer linked to Naga political issue: Alezo Venuh

GPRN/NSCN commemorates 17th Naga Unification Day

Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 23 

The Khehoi camp resonated with the call for Naga reconciliation on the 17th anniversary of Naga Unification. The GPRN/NSCN (U) commemorated the occasion at its Council Headquarters, located overlooking Khehoi village, also known as the Naga Unification Camp, on November 22, where a host of dignitaries representing the Naga social spectrum attended. 

The GPRN/NSCN (U) was led by its President, General (retired) MB Neokpao Konyak, who unfurled the Naga national flag, and Ato Kilonser Alezo Venuh. 

Venuh, in his Naga Unification commemoration address, noted how the political narrative and terminologies attached to the Naga political struggle has taken a rather humane turn since the Agreed Position was signed between the Government of India and GPRN/NSCN. “The word ‘insurgency’ no longer denotes to Naga political issue,” he said, while asserting that the phrase, “Political and historical rights of the Nagas,” has replaced demeaning and “abominable terms” used in tandem with the Naga issue in the earlier years. 

Even in the midst of chaos, he held that the GPRN/NSCN has stood tall, celebrating the rebirth of Naga consciousness, reconciliation and unity among the Naga Political Groups (NPGs). “We have played important role with our partners in the WC, NNPGs. We had political negotiations with the Government of India (GOI) and successfully concluded the talks,” he said adding that it has remained amenable “to the idea of genuine Naga unity and reconciliation organised by the church, FNR and apex tribal bodies.”

The GPRN/NSCN, he said, exists to fulfill the vision of a stable geopolitical territory, where the Nagas and non-Nagas, within and around, will cohabit. He added that a new foundation has to emerge from what he referred to as unsustainable “present arrangement.”

He said that the Naga youth needs institutions that enable self-reliance, and which should be guaranteed through a fair political environment. 

He termed “mushrooming factions” as a huge cause for concern, only to add, “The silver lining is that there is clarity on who is working for Naga nation and who is for self-enrichment.”

On Agreed Position 
Through the Agreed Position, he said that the GoI recognised the “historical and political rights of the Nagas to self-determine their future in consonance with their distinct identity…” setting to motion a new beginning. In keeping with the spirit of co-existence “with due regard to contemporary political realities,” he said that a practical relationship that is honorable, enduring and inclusive was acknowledged. 

While stating that the ‘Status Paper’ will be documented for academic and political purposes, he said that it has on record each and every subject deliberated and amended.

On the contrary, he termed the Framework Agreement (FA) of August 3, 2015 between the GoI and NSCN (IM) “a non-disclosure document” shrouded in mystery. “Against this background, he said that it was a tough task undoing the damage done by the FA. 
According to him, the term ‘integration’ has become a mere slogan to buy political relevance and create false hope.” While the GoI, through the Agreed Position, has agreed to constitute a “High Power empowered committee,” to work out the traditional boundaries of the Naga areas, starting the process of integration.

Meanwhile, he said that the Ceasefire Agreement between the GoI and NSCN (IM) was bereft of “required parameters.” “The Amsterdam Communiqué too could not set the agenda for negotiated settlement on integration of Naga areas and absolute sovereignty. The 3rd August 2015 made the Naga Political issue an internal matter of the Government of India,” he said. 
Set aside divisive policies: FNR

The Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), while acknowledging the GPRN/NSCN’s support to the movement for Naga reconciliation, expressed confidence that the latter will continue to “be intentional, pave wider avenues and provide the space for change to take place.” It called upon the Nagas to overcome historical challenges and setting aside divisive policies.

WC, NNPGs laments fragmentation
Co-convenor of the WC, NNPGs, Isak Sumi lamented the fragmentation of the Naga political movement. Sumi, who is the Ato Kilonser of the NSCN-K (Isak) called for introspection on why the 2007 pledge for Naga Unification failed. “We have many Naga National workers but are their genuine patriots?” he asked.

CSOs call for reconciliation among NPGs 
A wish for reconciliation among the Naga Political Groups came up repeatedly in the speeches from the representatives of the Naga civil society organisations. “Will Nagas only sign agreements, while splintering?” asked the Nagaland Tribes Council. “The people are getting tired. We have wasted enough time, enough blood we have shed, and enough lives we have lost,” it said.  

The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) stressed on harmony not only among the NPGs, but also, among the CSOs. It called for shaping a state where diverse schools of thought cohabit for the greater Naga cause.

Representatives from the Nagaland Gaonbura Federation, Eastern Naga People’s Organisation and Naga Council Dimapur also spoke at the event.  

“What we need today is unity. We have everything but we lack unity. We appeal the NPGs to come together and work as one body, one force. Nagas are longing for unity. We should not hesitate to unite. We should forgive and forget past misunderstandings,” were the voices from the CSOs.