Nagaland: NSCN criticises govt for profiling underground links of officers

In a recent office memorandum issued by the Home Department, Government of Nagaland has instructed all Administrative Heads and Heads of the Departments to obtain information in self-declaration form from Government employees regarding family members and relatives in “underground organizations” and submit to the Home Department, Political Branch latest by August 7.

With reference to the Office Memorandum issued by Mr. Temjen Toy, Chief Secretary of Nagaland state government with the directive to all the state government employees to fill up the self-declaration form to declare their relation with the Naga underground groups, the NSCN has responded. "This is considered to be one retrograde step worked out insidiously to cripple the Naga political movement and forcefully bring the Naga political issue under the purview of ‘law and order’ issue. Insulting and demeaning as it is, NSCN denounce the directives which is nothing but desperate attempt to browbeat Naga freedom fighters into submission. Such a despicable directive stands incompatible with the spirit of Indo-Naga peace process.

Also read: Kuki body, NSCN condemns Army over death of its 6 Naga associates

The very word ‘underground groups’ is a misnomer and recklessly used without taking into consideration the literal meaning. Underground groups are outlawed organizations. But in Naga context there are no outlawed organizations operating in Nagaland. If Nagaland Governor Mr. RN Ravi has taken NSCN to be underground organization how come he signed the historic Framework Agreement with NSCN General Secretary Mr. Th. Muivah as his co-author, guided and supervised by the Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi in the presence of high dignitaries from India and NSCN. Certainly, Ravi has reduced the most revered Prime Minister of India Mr. Modi and top leaders of the GoI to a mere laughing stock.

Calling NSCN the wrong way is not only impolitic but exposed the ignorance and insincerity of the Government of India. GoI to be caught on the wrong foot after more than 23 years of Indo-Naga political talks speaks volumes of its sinister design in the making. In the political history of Naga people if NSCN or NNC under whose banner the Naga political struggle started are illegal, then all Nagas irrespective of age or gender are ‘outlaws’.

Needless to say, from day one since Naga movement started it has been a mass-based movement all the way as every section of Naga people were involved and every single Naga employees, high and low played their role to meet the demand of the situation and keep the fire of Naga political movement burning. Indeed, there may not be a single-family among the Nagas who are not linked with Naga political movement in one way or the other.

RN Ravi representing the Government of India. Naga people will never condone any government employee, high or low who connive and propagate the suppressive policy of the occupational forces. Such colonial and coercive directive should not be allowed to go through the process of implementation come what may. The sanctity of Naga political issue should not be defiled by allowing ourselves to be used in such obnoxious manner.

Also read: Kuki body, NSCN condemns Army over death of its 6 Naga associates

The Naga people believe in peaceful co-existence with India as incorporated in the Framework Agreement. We believe in respecting the problem of India as much as India respects the problem of the Naga people. The FA reflects this spirit. And NSCN expects this to be implemented in letter and spirit. It is, however, seen that Indo-Naga political talks, after overcoming all the hurdles is heading to become another political flattery. History of political flattery is showing its ugly face. But Naga people will take the stand not to be cowed down by such bigoted policy. Significantly, frustration and deceit is being brazenly displayed by GoI after 23 years of peace process".

Thus, the response amid the Naga peace process, which has seen few developments in the state with the letter written by Governor R N Ravi regarding the issue of insuregency in the state which has been opposed by the opposition and other politcal bodies.

Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.

To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us HERE.

Download:

The Inside Northeast app HERE for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.

Do keep following us for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.