Without unity among each other, can Nagas truly talk about independence?

This is the second of a two-part series on Naga Independence Day, its relevance, the challenges, and the path ahead. In the first part, Medolenuo Ambrocia asked if it made sense to celebrate independence when you are not independent. In part two, she questions if Independence can be viable when there is such a lack of unity among Nagas. 

In July, Nagaland was shocked when a contractor from the Angami tribe received a ‘death penalty’. The death penalty was not the verdict of India’s Apex court, the Supreme Court. It was not even the verdict of a district court for that matter.

The death penalty came courtesy of a Naga insurgent group. This sparked outrage among the residents, and while thankfully the death penalty never became a reality (at least not yet), it once again highlighted the fissures in the Naga society. 

While the Framework Agreement, signed in 2015, was hailed as a major milestone in the quest to solve the Naga political crisis, experts believe that the events of July 2002 were equally seismic. 

On July 11, 2002, through a Joint Communique at Amsterdam in the Netherlands, it was declared “that the Government of India recognises the unique history and situation of the Nagas”. This was followed by the signing of the Framework Agreement on August 3, 2015, between the GoI and NSCN-IM. Later in 2017, an Agreed Position was inked between the Centre and the 7 Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs). 

Since then, however, no headway has been made and over the years, many splinter groups of the NNC and NSCN came into existence, with an estimated 26 factions so far although the Government of India has signed ceasefire agreements with only five Naga groups over the years: NSCN (IM) in 1997, NSCN (U) in 2012, NSCN (R) in 2015, NSCN (Khango) in 2019, and NSCN (Nikki) in 2021. 

As the Naga flag was hoisted across the Naga homeland with various Naga groups observing Independence Day, Krome recounted when Nagas fled to the jungles to commemorate the day out of fear of being caught by the Indian forces. Witnessing the generational shift, he said that the present-day display of Naga pride indicates that some bondages of the past have been waived. 

He observed that this change demonstrates the achievement of the first step of sovereignty. But, “history repeats itself,” Krome said. To him, the Centre has started to back-track the Nagas once again. He cited how in 2019, then interlocutor for Naga peace talks RN Ravi acknowledged the Naga flag only as a cultural symbol.  

The Government of India has clarified that there would be no separate flag and constitution for the Nagas within the Indian Union, a contention derailing the ongoing Naga peace talks between the NSCN-IM and the Centre. 

26 Naga prime ministers/presidents?

“Naga Undergrounds are said to have many factions having no understanding. All these jokes have been taking place because many Naga leaders fell easy prey to the treacherous design of the Indian spy network. Nagas have no reason to blame others but we have to blame ourselves for all these confusions,” NNC/FGN president Thinoselie said. 

According to a list published by one FGN group, there are 26 Naga political groups, each with its prime minister, president and council of ministers. 

These divisions added to the confusion of the Nagas, especially the younger generation as was evident during “The Naga Morung” event organised by the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) in Kohima, coinciding with the Naga Independence Day.  

A student asked peace activist Dr Rosemary Dzüvichü whether all 26 factions could unite and questioned the disunity among Naga political groups. In response, Dzüvichü acknowledged that efforts have been made by peacekeepers to bring the Naga groups together. She emphasised that it is now crucial for Naga youth to participate in this process and help find a path to unity among the groups. 

While she expressed hope that these factions would unite for the benefit of the Naga people, she also stressed that it is time for the Naga youth to speak up and articulate their aspirations.

Another student questioned if Nagas could expect an honourable and acceptable solution to the Naga peace talks. To this, Dzüvichü shared hope. She cited how many nations, like the Nagas, struggled and emerged victorious. 

“Nations like ours have struggled and won their freedom. I want to cite a few examples of other nations, Timor Leste, East Timor has a long and complex history of struggle for freedom and independence. From 1975 to 1999, they faced brutal suppression of human rights abuses and cultural erasure under Indonesian rule and it triggered the resistance movement led by Xanana Gusmao and Jose Ramos Horta who later became a peace laureate and President and Prime Minister. In 1999, the United Nations-sponsored referendum showed overwhelming support for Independence. In 2002, East Timor officially gained Independence becoming the first new country of the 21st century,” she shared. 

What is the future of Nagas?

Professor Dzüvichü goes on to share that education is the most powerful weapon that the Nagas can use to change their world.

“It is easy to break down and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build. When a man is denied the right to live the life he believes in, he has no choice but to become an outlaw. Precious words to remind us of our Naga situation and future,” she said.

She stressed the need to achieve economic sustainability through innovative entrepreneurship, environmental stewardship and responsible resource management. 

“A poor nation cannot survive even a winter and the Naga future will depend on these factors of economic sustainability. We must bring about a Cultural Renaissance celebrating our rich heritage revitalising our traditions and promoting cross-cultural understanding,” she added.

The challenge, she pointed out, is for the youth to involve themselves in the peace-making and peace-building process in society. She observed that Nagas stand at a critical juncture in history where the wisdom of the past meets the promise of the future. 

She also challenged the youth to read and learn about the Naga history and struggle and to write more about the Naga people. “Let us create a Naga future worthy of our ancestors’ sacrifices and our people’s resilience,” she added.

Is Naga political unity achievable?

Despite the divisions among the various Naga political groups, Naga sovereignty remains the common aspiration of the Nagas. So is unity among the Naga groups achievable?

NNC/FGN president Thinoselie Keyho says, “Every Naga leader talks about ‘unity’ but unity cannot be achieved by lip service alone; it has to come out from the heart. If it comes out from the heart, unity can be achieved without difficulty. Only then, one can talk about the stand that we have to take in defending our motherland. If it is not from the heart, it can be presumed as the mouthpiece of the Indian propaganda machine”.

NSCN-K Niki president, Niki Sumi said, “Nagas have reached a critical political juncture where all Nagas unitedly should have the courage to take forward our declaration of independence into nation building and not break up the Naga nation”.

“I must once again urge all the factions to come forward without any reservation or exclusivity for Naga national unity and settlement which is the urgent call of the people,” Yillow Humtsoe, president of the NNC (Parent body) said. 

NNC/NA (MK) Ato Kilonser Kiyelho Wokhami said, “No settlement can be done or achieved without unity and integration among ourselves, unity is the only way on which our rights and aspirations are embedded”.

“Together we can overcome any obstacle, conquer any foe and with collective will we can build a new Nagaland for Christ,” Kiumukam Yimkhiung, president of the NNC/GRDN (N-A) said. 

“We shall not tolerate any force on earth poking their nose to keep the Nagas divided either through arbitrary decision or political means. Our forefathers have sacrificed the best of their lives and went through blood, sweat and tears to build the foundation for the Naga people as a nation,” NSCN-IM general secretary Th Muivah said.

“Why should we allow ourselves to be used as a cheap commodity betraying the vision of our pioneer freedom fighters, to be traded in exchange for short-term gain?  The consequences of our ‘never caring approach’ for the well-being of future generations will certainly put us on the road to political damnation,” Muivah added. 

The call for unity made by the various presidents and prime ministers of the Naga political groups was louder as the Naga people commemorated the 78th Naga Independence Day, but, one question remains: Will these words turn to action?

Also Read | Why Naga Independence Day is observed in ‘unified’ India