IMPHAL, February 14: The Chief Minister of Nagaland, TR Zeliang, has expressed his hope that a new era will dawn in the history of Naga Political struggle, citing the recent ‘framework agreement’ singed between the NSCN-IM and Government of India.
The Nagaland Chief Minister was addressing a mammoth gathering during the inaugural day of Lui-Ngai-Ni, 2016, festival seed sowing festival of the Nagas, held at the Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) ground today.
Further in his speech, TR Zeliang, asserted that both the parties, NSCN-IM and GOI, have taken several follow up activities with a view at a comprehensive and broad-based agreement, involving all Naga nationalist groups and Naga civil societies.
Underscoring the initiative, it exhorted the Nagas to give active co-operation and help to the process to pave way for permanent peace for the Nagas and all Naga Homelands.
These steps are stepping stones towards the expressed desire of the Nagas to have integration of all contiguous Naga inhabited areas, and live under one administration dispensation, although the Nagas are badly divided by artificial political boundaries, which according to him (TR Zeliang) mostly the legacy of the British.
Further highlighting the relentless commitment of the Naga leaders, he pointed out that the Nagaland Legislative Assembly had already passed resolutions acknowledging the desire of the Nagas, to live under on administrative umbrella, on four different occasions.
Stating that the territorial integration of all contiguous Naga areas is not with the legislators at the moment, he urged the Naga not to give up hope and continue to keep it alive as a matter of faith and principles.
“Let us remind ourselves that historical forces can make and unmake nations. It can also alter or re-drew notional or state boundaries,” claimed the Nagaland Chief Minister.
Parallel to the initiatives of the leaders, TR Zeliang, exhorted the Naga to work for the emotional and cultural integration of the Nagas living under various administration, both in India and Myanmar.
“We can do a lot of things even if Nagas are not under one administration”, he said adding that it was also one of the objectives of the NFP to have spread its wings beyond Nagaland.
Underlining the unique history of Nagas, TR Zeliang observed the need to protect and preserve the rich culture besides upholding the Naga identity.
“People from bigger communities will not recognized or respect us if we lose our unique Naga Identity,” he said.
Referring to the recent three 3 bills passed against the interest of tribal of Manipur by Ibobi led Government, TR Zeliang implicated that it was to consolidate the support of the valley people in the coming election.
As a political strategy, Ibobi may be right in his own way of thinking, however he questioned why the Naga legislators in Manipur continue to support such Government?
He suggested that the four NPF legislators who had recently resigned in protest against the passing of the Bills, pressurized the speaker to accept the resignation.
Maintaining that the Naga people are at a crucial juncture in its political struggle, the Nagaland Chief Minister, appealed the Naga to be united in true spirits.
He regretted that some of the Naga leaders still prefer to comforts of their chairs at the cost of Naga unity.
“Unless Nagas stands united in resolving its political struggle the nationalist groups will continue to multiply in numbers thereby posing as a stumbling block in the process”, said Zeliang.
TR Zeliang claiming the Lui-Ngai-Ni festival as one of the most important festivals of the Nagas, suggested for organizing a common festival for all the Nagas in the entire Northeast at a larger scale to show the unity and uniqueness of the Nagas all over the world similar to that of Hornbill.
UNC president Gaidon Kamei terming the framework agreement as “harbinger of peace” not only in NE but the South East Asia, said it would encompassed protection of land rights, identity etc.
Condemning the 3 anti-tribal bills passed last year, it urged the tribals particularly the Nagas to stand steadfast to any form of legislation that infringe our rights, said Gaidon.
The Chief Minister accompanied by Home Minister of Nagaland, Y Paton, Vekiho Sue, Minister roads and bridges. The IGAR (S) VS Sreenivas, also attended the event as guest of honour.
Leaders of the UNC, Naga leaders from all the hill districts, ADC members, resigned MLAs of NPF, leaders of the Naga student bodies, administrative heads were also present during the event.
Unveiling the Moonlight dedicated to the festival, performances by Nagas cultural troops from different districts, artists marked the inaugural day of the festival.