Ukhrul: Anthony Ningkhan Shimray, the Army Chief (Longvibu) of the NSCN-IM and the coordinator of the Indo-Naga peace talks, stated that the Nagas are at the epicenter of change and could play a major role as peacemakers in the geopolitics of Southeast Asia.
Highlighting the prolonged crisis in Myanmar after a military coup and, closer to home, the ethnic conflict in Manipur, the NSCN-IM leader said that the time for the Nagas has finally come to play a vital part in building peace and finding solutions in the region.
In an interview with EastMojo during his recent visit to Ukhrul district, the Naga Army Chief said, “The time for the Nagas has finally come, even though in the past we had missed the Crown Colony offers. Geographically, the Nagas are divided by artificial boundaries, but politically, socially, and culturally, we have come to the epicenter of change because, in these Southeast Asia conflicts (Manipur, Myanmar), our (Nagas) participation, either as a peace negotiator or peacemaker, is important.”
Longvibu Shimray also maintained that in any issue the Nagas and the NSCN support and stand for, there will be peace. However, he asserted that no matter how strong nations like India, Myanmar, or other countries may be, there won’t be a solution if the Nagas oppose it.
“There will be no security or integrity of India unless they solve the Naga issue based on the Framework Agreement. And because of its competency, we have come to an understanding of peaceful coexistence based on shared sovereignty that guarantees India’s security not by the Indian Army but by the agreement,” said the Longvibu.
The Longvibu further questioned the intentions behind the Government of India’s decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border and the removal of the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the border areas.
“Why is India so scared of having free access movement along the border areas?” asked the Longvibu.
It may be noted that during his recent visit to Manipur, the Naga Army Chief, along with his team, visited the border areas in Kamjong district, which they termed an artificial international boundary between India and Burma, and assessed the ground situation in the region. This was his third visit to the border areas in the region after taking the post of Longvibu in 2017.
In one of the meetings during his recent tour of Ukhrul district, the NSCN-IM leader strongly stated that border fencing in Naga areas is completely unacceptable and that any sort of borders within the Naga family is untenable to the very existence of the Nagas as a people.
“There is a wave coming like a tsunami, and when this wave comes, it has no eyes to see or identify who is a true ally or foe. It will come like a big movement, and when the Indian government is undecided, such a movement will bring chaos and destruction,” said the Longvibu.
The Naga Army Chief also maintained that whether one likes it or not, countries like China, Pakistan, Russia, America, India, and other Western nations have shown interest in Myanmar. However, for the Nagas, their interest is to protect and uphold the land under the Sagaing division, which is the ancestral land of the Nagas, he added.
Emphasizing their position in Naga territory in Myanmar, the Longvibu also said that they (Nagas) are not against any group or organization, be it the People’s Defence Force (PDF), the Myanmar junta, or anyone. They are just there in a decisive position to protect Naga interests. However, in this geopolitics, the participation and support of the Nagas in bringing about peace are a must. India cannot ignore this, nor can Myanmar or even the world, he maintained.
“At this juncture, the Nagas cannot remain silent or have negative thoughts that it is the worst time for the Nagas but rather see it as the best moment for the Nagas. This is the best situation that God has brought for the Nagas, and we have to capture that opportunity,” he said when asked about the winds of change in the Naga movement.
Further stressing the geopolitics of the Nagas, the Longvibu said that earlier there was much enmity and opposition toward the Naga movement, but in recent times, there has been support for the Naga struggle.
“Whether they like it or not, a divine force shaping the world has brought them in our favor. Look at Bangladesh; now they need us, and the leader of the interim government under Dr. Mohammad Yunus will never go against us.
They have realized, and that is the price of the voice of the Bangladeshi revolutionaries, the youths. They have understood that we have to coexist with the so-called northeastern states like Nagaland and Mizoram,” said the Longvibu.
“The people themselves, with the spirit of change, have been touched in our favor. Nepal is no longer pro-India, and neither is Bhutan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, or Bangladesh. So, when these countries are anti-India and pro-China, it is good for us,” he added.
The Longvibu also stressed the role of youth in achieving the aspirations of the Naga people for self-determination and urged the Nagas, especially the youth, to come forward and support the Naga movement.
“We must defend our inherent Naga political rights,” he added.
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