NSCN-IM reiterates call for Naga Independence given 'inhuman treatment' by Indian army

DIMAPUR: The Isaak Muivah faction of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN-IM) has said that the Naga public must shoulder the responsibility to take the call on "Naga Independence" deliberately and genuinely "given the nature of inhuman treatment against the Nagas by the armed forces of India that show no respect for human rights."

"The Nagas struggle for self-determination began with fighting against the Indian armies, forced occupation and aggressive violations of our rights. Since the beginning of our political struggle, the estimated number of Naga lives lost is above 300,000. How much longer should we allow the Indians to treat us as sub-human being? How long will India’s political leaders be allowed to shed crocodile tears? This is the time that the Nagas in particular and the North East in general should go deep into soul-searching to unearth what ails our society and people, and take corrective steps," the armed group said.

It also urged that Nagas should return prized handed out by the Indian government as a mark of protest against the firing incidents in Mon district that left at least 14 Naga civilians dead.

"Rabindranath Tagore returned the Nobel Prize. Can the Nagas be like Rabindranath Tagore to protest against Oting massacre? Would the Nagas who have received many awards and recognitions dare to return as a token of protest against the Government of India?," it asked.

It further took potshots at Union Home Minister Amit Shah for a "blatant lie" in Parliament in regards to the incident.

Subsequently, the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) has discovered that the Union Home Minister Mr. Amit Shah’s statement on Oting massacre in the Indian Parliament is a despicable lie. Mr. Amit Shah’s outrageous statement comes at a time when the whole Nagas are in a state of lamentation in solidarity with our Naga brethrens. In a situation like this, Mr. Amit Shah was expected to display a political maturity and true statesmanship to reflect his status as the Home Minister of a great democratic country like India. Unfortunately, he has shown himself his true color of immaturity, incapability and frivolous mentality towards the Naga people.

Therefore, the Naga People should urge the United Nations (UN) and the International community to respond to the call of the Naga People for justice and peaceful co-existence.

It also called upon"the Nagas of present generation" to save the Naga nationhood should save the political movement, adding that India should also know that despite the differences among the Nagas the unique history and the right to self-determination will remain intact.

In an editorial published in its mouthpiece 'Nagalim Voice', the rebel group said that for the Indian sub-continent has to become an economic power, the Nagas holds the gateway towards this targeted economic growth.

"Therefore, the GoI should take high priority in solving the Indo-Naga political issue at the earliest for a peaceful co-existence once and for all. The Nagas should learn from our past history and should not repeat the mistake of the past where the political process benefitted only a few people within the India created state of Nagaland."

The group further added that the Nagas at this juncture cannot afford another "internal revolution."

The Naga Plebiscite of 1951, in which 99.9% of the people voted for an Independent Naga nation is an affirmation of the Naga declaration of Independence on the 14th August 1947 from all alien domination, subjugation and exploitation, it added.

"This collective truth demonstrates the moral and political consensus of the Naga struggle for self-determination and reiterates the uniqueness of Naga history and situation."

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