Naga Plebiscite an indelible mark: NSCN (IM) Vice President

May 17, 2024 10 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 17

The Naga Plebiscite of May 16, 1951 reaffirmed the declaration of Independence on August 14, 1947, according to the NSCN (IM).

“It was the day the Nagas proclaimed loud and clear for a sovereign Naga nation… a powerful symbol of the Naga people’s inalienable right for sovereignty,” stated NSCN (IM) Vice Chairman, Tongmeth Wangnao, while delivering the Presidential address at a programme held on Thursday to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of the Naga Plebiscite at Camp Hebron.

A host of delegates from the pan-Naga social spectrum attended. NSCN (IM) Ato Kilonser, Th Muivah was also present.

Wangnao reasserted the Naga claim to sovereignty maintaining that the Nagas existed as a free people by virtue of the village republic. He linked the idea of Naga nationhood to “the dynamism of the Naga culture,” while adding that the passion for political freedom has been the motivating factor.

Chronicling the ebb and flow of the Naga movement, starting with the Naga Club’s representation to the Simon Commission, he recalled the contributions of the early Naga political figures under the Naga National Council and the turn of events that led to the plebiscite.

The Government of India (GoI) invalidating the ‘9-Point Agreement’ drove the Nagas to lend legitimacy to the claim for self determination by organising a “voluntary plebiscite,” followed by boycotting the elections of 1952 and 1957, he asserted.

In later years, he said that the NSCN (IM) leadership led by Th Muivah “spotlighted the declaration of Naga Independence and Plebiscite based on solid historical foundations.” According to him, it ultimately translated into the GoI accepting the “historical truths” via the ‘Amsterdam Joint Communique’ of July 11, 2002 and Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015.

While stating that the commemoration is “in consonance with the recognised unique history of the Nagas and Framework Agreement,” he said, “The sovereign rights of the Nagas as flaunted on May 16, 1951, will continue to remain imprinted indelibly in the psyche of the Nagas.”

Deputy Ato Kilonser, Lt Gen (retired) VS Atem, while comparing and contrasting India’s movement for freedom from the British and the Naga movement, said that the Naga movement was guided by a clear vision for self determination from the very start as opposed to what he said was India initially demanding “home rule.”

He paid tributes to the NNC leaders for conducting the plebiscite for taking the right decision at the right time with “total conviction and (clear) vision.” He said that it remains embedded in the Naga DNA till date.

The NSCN (IM)’s army chief, Ningkhan Shimray said that through the relentless efforts of Isak Chishi Swu and Th Muivah, who stood by the Naga Plebiscite, the Amsterdam Joint Communiqué materialised, which served to internationalise the Naga issue. Further, with the Framework Agreement, the GoI recognised the Naga cause, he said.

Neingulo Krome, Secretary General, Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights; Atoho Kiho, General Secretary, Naga Hoho; Medovi Rhi, President, Naga Students’ Federation; Apeuna Iheilung, Vice President, Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA); Chuba Ozukum, Convenor, Global Naga Forum; Ng Lorho, President, United Naga Council (UNC), Ngungtim Changmi, President, Tirap Changlang Longding People’s Forum and Michael Kiyarlynn, President, Eastern Naga People’s Organization, Myanmar conveyed solidarity messages.