The Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (WC – NNPGs) on Tuesday stated that the United Naga Council has lost the plot and signaled the death and burial of separate political administration for Nagas in Manipur, let alone integration with Nagaland state.
In its long press statment on Monday, the NNPGs stated that UNC and 8 Naga MLAs have simply spelled out “We do not want Naga integration” and that they are all remote controlled by IM (NSCN).
NNPGs claimed that the IM, UNC and the MLAs have colluded and sold Naga integration formula to Kuki people and now Kuki MLAs are demanding from Government of India a completely separate political administration for Kukis.
“The Meiteis under COCOMI, Nagas under UNC and as declared by 8 MLAs in written with the consent of NSCN(IM), hav expressed their inseparable political and administrative future under Manipur state,” WC NNPGs stated.
The 8 elected Manipuri Naga MLAs along with 28 Meitei MLAs in their 9th August written appeal to the Indian Prime Minister had sought implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Manipur including Naga districts. The camaraderie between UNC and COCOMI is being forged out of common hatred for Kukis, it said.
The NNPGs questioned the Nagaland state government as to whether it should remain under siege by Nagas of Manipur even after they made their intention crystal clear. The political groups called upon the indigenous tribes of Nagaland to must wake up from prolonged reverie.
“Even among Nagas, if one mistreats the other, trespasses or takes decisions secretly behind the backs of indigenous inhabitants, in the name of national principle, a crisis will naturally arise. After all, land is inseparable from both individual point of view and community’s,” it added.
NNPGs also asked the Naga people, particularly in Nagaland, whether they are allowing themselves to be fooled for too long Naga tradition is decisive and far reaching because the real owner has every right to seal off his own land, it said while adding that a sheltering man will be considered as intruder by his unruly actions.
WC NNPGs reiterated that irrespective of factional affiliations, artificial boundaries or ideologies, it is very clear that all Nagas are one by stock, race, early history and cultural identity. In the interim, however, all Naga tribes and communities, be it in Myanmar, Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam must have a clear-cut understanding and perspective towards necessary social, cultural, historical and geographical dynamics of different Naga tribes scattered into different states.
The statement also stated that the existence of artificial boundaries and different political and administrative areas, at this point of our existence, is a fact. Manipulation and destruction of social bonding will end emotional brotherhood. NNPGs claimed that Manipur Nagas in IM are not letting the Nagaland state government count the number of babies born since Nagaland attained statehood.
On 23 August 2023, NNPGs said, at a regional authority meeting among IM, Manipur Naga leaders said RIIN is against social political interest of Nagas and therefore its implementation will not be allowed.
Such intrusive statements destroy people to people bonding, stated NNPGs while adding that the audacity of non-indigenous Nagas sheltering in Nagaland for a few decades, uttering a word against RIIN implementation is not their business.
NNPGs said: “In a simplest way this is how opposition to Registration of Indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) can be described. An insult to the people of Nagaland really. It is as though they co-own the CM chair and most Cabinet chairs. Who is running Nagaland state government?”
The Working Committee, NNPGs, further stated that it is against Naga tradition to comment on another family or clan’s decision on land and membership and stressed that the IM (NSCN) should question their own 8 Manipur Naga MLAs demanding NRC along with the Meiteis.
On 9th August 2023, forty Meitei and 8 Naga legislators of Manipur wrote to the Prime Minister of India seeking, besides others, strengthening of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in Manipur and Hill Area Councils (HACS). The said letter to the Indian PM has buried Naga integration, along with it a host of other superficial demand, it added
“Let IM leaders handle the Manipur Naga problem, Nagaland can take care of itself. Nagas in Myanmar, Arunachal, Assam and Nagaland do not object to the demand a of Manipur Nagas because they are the masters over their land,” NNPGs said.
Anything good for Nagas in Manipur or anywhere, WC, NNPGs will extend all support and solidarity. The same courtesy is expected, it stated
NNPGs further stated that strikingly, the abject slave mentality and yes-men mindset of indigenous Nagaland Nagas within the NSCN IM fold is truly perplexing. On 14th January 2023, the NSCN IM Chairman, Inno Q. Tuccu and Vice Chairman, Inno Tongmeth Wangnao met WC, NNPGs under the aegis of Forumfor Naga Reconciliation (FNR). The two leaders and WC, NNPGs Convener N. Kitovi Zhimomi signed a joint declaration, “NAGAS ARE MOVING AHEAD”, announcing to the collectorate basing on respective agreements.
This was a follow-up of September 14, 2022, “SEPTEMBER CONCORDANT” declaration to form, “COUNCIL OF NAGA RELATIONSHIPS AND CO-OPERATION”. Shockingly, on 18th January 2023, the propaganda ministry declared the signed declaration of its Chairman and Vice Chairman as null and void as they recognised only FA and no other agreement, NNPGs alleged.
NNPGs listed out few points that Naga people must take note of as to why Naga integration is a gimmick. As per Media statement On 13th June, 2023, NNPGs said, the Federation of Haomee (Tangkhul Elders) resolved to retrace Tangkhul- Meitei ancestral ties; to jointly defend the territorial integrity of Manipur state at all cost. These sort of inter community meetings having historical and cultural interest would never be held without the consent of Manipur Nagas in Hebron camp. This is treachery to the common objective yet no statement of substance. There was clear understanding by all parties, it said.
NNPGs continued that on July 10, 2023, five persons including an IM official were arrested while transporting stolen Nagaland police arms and ammo to Manipur. How many un-intercepted vehicles have made their way to Manipur?The arrested accused is a mere sub inspector who cannot be more than an armoury key keeper. Who are the higher ranked police officers involved in this heinous crime of looting government arms?
In a recent viral video, an IM cadre confessed to being a part of a group assigned to transport arms and ammunition to Meiteis and also fight alongside PREPAK against another community. A subsequent dismissal video was made but the overall structural policy was unmistakable, NNPGs stated.
All NE state Chief Ministers have made their stand very clear on critical issues. The leaders have stood solidly behind their people. Manipur CM Biren Singh is very clear that the state boundary will remain unchanged. No separate administration for any community. Mizoram CM, Zoramthanga stands tall and protects the state of Mizoram. Zoramthanga has passed a resolution in the assembly against Forest Conservation amendment 2023. Assam CM Himanta Biswas Sarma is doing what is good for the state of Assam, Meghalaya state CM Conrad Sangma is not afraid to send state forces to defend state territory against neighbours casting evil eyes, NNPGs asserted while stressing that Nagaland CM should not remain a prisoner in his own paradise.
“A practical, transparent, honorable Indo-Naga political solution as elucidated in the negotiated STATUS PAPER through AGREED POSITION would ensure his political legacy. It is time to brush aside the impractical narrative and stamp his authority on the issue his grandfather and many others aspired for,” NNPGs said. Nagaland Chief Minister must know that history worships visionary political leaders only, it stated.
“Short term business leaders are not remembered beyond a generation. It demands a true leader of grit to differentiate between idealism and realism. WC, NNPGs can only hope that the incumbent Nagaland CM will leave a positive footprint for future generation,” NNPGs added.
