Dimapur, January 31 2009: "NAGA POLITICS is built upon the foundation of living Naga history, which means, Nagas are free from time immemorial.

They have never been a part of Union of India or that of Burma or any other power either by conquest or consent.

Like the Greek city-states, Nagas were living free and independent in their own sovereign village kingdoms till the British imperialist came to control a part of their country" .

These was the message of NSCN-IM chairman Isak Chisi Swu read out by the outfit's Steering Committee convenor Qhevehi Chisi Swu during the 29th Raising Day of the outfit at Hebron Camp, off Dimapur today.

The programme was attended by the outfit's top leaders including members of the Steering Committee, Council of Kilonser (ministers), Tatars (members of parliament of the outfit), NSWON (women wing of the outfit) members, Longvibu (army chief), Naga Army and his subordinate officers and all civil secretariat staff.

"On this historic raising day of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, I greet you all in the precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I pay homage and give my revolutionary salute to those departed souls.

Their supreme sacrifices are precious and I believe the blood of those martyrs speaks to the Lord as the blood of Abel did," exhorted Isak Chisi Swu's speech while adding, "Our forefather fought the aggressors with 'daos' and spears in defense of our land, culture, identity and right.

Thanks to our father who left the legacy of living history to us.

The issue of the Nagas is now left to the present generations.

We will be held responsible if it cannot be defended to keep it alive." The NSCN-IM chairman claimed that Mahatma Gandhi had recognised the Nagas's right to be free but after the death of the Indian freedom leader the post Gandhi leadership waged war on Nagalim with a view to subjugate the Nagas.

"Accordingly, the so-called 16-point agreement was reached in 1963, which physically divided the Nagas.

When the Indian government tried to politically annihilate the Naga nation, it was strongly resisted and saved under the banner of NNC, the then authentic political organization of the Naga people.

The Revolutionary Government was a setback plotted in collaboration with a faction of workers.

The Shillong Accord was another attempt of the Indian State upon the life of Naga nation through Naga traitors.

However, it was totally rejected by the people in National Assembly.

Since annihilation of Naga nation has been the policy of Indian State the Government of India through the persons of some elements of Shillong Accord staged a military coup with an eye to finish those remnant revolutionaries," added the NSCN-IM chairman in his statement.

Isak Chisi Swu then alleged that "the Indian expansionist" found a good friend in SS.

Khaplang through whom the bloodiest abortive coup attempt was made in 1988 .

"Recently we have witnessed another attempt made by the Indian state through some deserters to tear down the edifice of NSCN in the stolen name of unification." added the chairman of the NSCN-IM.

"We are not begging freedom from India or Myanmar or for that matter from any others.

Freedom of a people is inbuilt and it is our inherent right.

We are not asking territory from any other states.

We have our own territory inherited from our fathers.

The good Lord has created the earth for all, big or small and even the smallest animal and nation have their own share in it.

Whether the Naga people want to join the Union of India or that of Myanmar or be free, it is their divine right to decide it by themselves.

On the question of deciding their future, the Naga people themselves are the prime factors.

On top of that, we have been struggling under the banner of Nagalim for Christ and the presence of the Lord has been with us thus far and I strongly believe that His presence shall continue to go with us till to the last," further stated Isak Chsi Swu in his speech read out during the outfit's Raising Day while adding, "We believe in the doctrine of inter-dependent relationship of people and nations inasmuch as everything on earth is inter-related and nothing stands in isolation.

We do not nourish enmity towards any of our neighbors particularly India and Myanmar.

We have been good neighbors since time immemorial and we will continue to maintain that spirit.

However, we cannot ignore the fact that we have an issue with India and Myanmar and we will try to settle it through political means for any tangible solution acceptable to both parties.

We rule out violent means and we condemn any attempt at settlement of the issue through military might, which has been proved a futile exercise.

This is the era of democracy and we are committed to settlement of all human problems through dialogue based on mutual respect, understanding and recognition of rights.

We also believe that there is no problem, which we cannot solve through discussions".

The NSCN-IM leader's statement then concluded by urging the Nagas by saying, "Comrades, we have to be prepared for freedom, which demands of us the revolutionary spirit in every worker.

We know all the nation-states are the creations of revolutionary people and independent states are the homes of brave revolutionaries.

I hope we too have revolutionary generations to liberate our people from all kinds of bondages.

Last but not the least, it is the faith force that matters.

We must amend our ways and reaffirm our decision for the Lord's battle".

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