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Renowned Naga religious leader Rev Dr
VK Nuh said the Nagas’ 55-year-long struggle for
political freedom as "people’s movement" with clear
political vision and objectives, adding "That is why
the public have been suffering all along for the same
length of time".
The Naga priest said it would have been a "different
story" had the "16-Point Agreement" not been accepted.
"It is now proved that it was a mistake by both the
‘giver’ and the ‘receiver".
"Whatever may be the reason, the State has come into
being. It is a betrayal of the Naga Plebiscite of
1951. Getting State is not a gift from the Government
of India", stated Rev Nuh. "But it was the outcome of
the high price of the blood of many Naga patriots"
He howver pointed out that the granting of a separate
State to the Naga people did not solve the Naga
problem; rather the situation "went from bad to
worse", besides it had divided the Naga people very
badly. The Indo-Naga conflict has been continuing
costing both sides very dearly and therefore the
"final and honorable settlement is yet to come".
Rev Nuh, who is also the leader of the Council of Naga
Baptist Churches (CNBC), also alleged that State
Government continued to indulge in double standard—one
for Delhi and another for Kohima.
Over the last 39 years since Nagaland got its
Statehood, many politicians had promised to work for a
final settlement of Naga political problem in their
election campaigns and brought out manifestoes after
manifestoes, said the CNBC leader, adding all these
politicians had become like a "crocodile tears".
He said when the last election in State was due, the
Naga Hoho with other NGOs approached the Government of
India and the people of Nagaland to differ the
election, explaining that "election is not important
but Naga political settlement is important".
All political parties cooperated with the people’s
voice except the Nagaland Pradesh Congress party which
ignored the people’s voice, and came to power without
people’s mandate, stated the Naga Priest. And because
of this development all other political parties became
the victim of the Naga Hoho and NGOs, he added.
"For the last couple of weeks, while some of us have
been working so hard for reconciliation and unity
among the Naga people, I have been keenly observing
Naga peoples’ attitude towards Naga political
settlement. Various tribes come out in support of
'this leader' and 'that leader', forgetting the tears
and blood of Naga patriots", Rev Nuh pointed out.
Stating that two schools of thought could not go
together as "one will be victimized while the other is
benefited at the expense of other", the CNBC leader
questioned whether Naga people were really concerned
of the Naga political settlement or the State
election.
"Above all I am interested to know from which school
of thought the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee
(NPCC) derives its political wisdom for the Naga
political aspiration", said Rev Nuh. "Can the Naga
people easily forget about the Bedrock of Naga Society
(a booklet published by NPCC)?"
He said if former Power Minister K Therie had been
dropped from the Council of Ministers for being
critical over the Congress party agenda on the
‘Bedrock of Naga Society’, and then NPCC(I) was
against the Naga political aspiration.
"(Again) if K Therie is efficient and capable Minister
and successfully carrying out his assignment for the
welfare of the State and then intention of the Chief
Minister (SC Jamir) is wrong. If the Angami People
organization (APO) is speaking for the welfare of the
people, then those Tenyimia MLAs who issued rejoinder
against Mr Niphiu Rio (Home Minister) is wrong;
because it has ignored the democratic norms. If the
Chakhesang people are silent over K Therie episode,
and then Chakhesang People Organization must be
ashamed," explained Rev Nuh.
"Today, Naga people do not want election", said Rev
Nuh. "But if at all the situation demands, we want to
call our leaders to demarcate their political stand
whether they really want Naga political settlement or
want to rule".
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