NSCN (IM) calls Statehood a 'treachery': Guv Ravi comes under attack from Naga Hoho, NSF

Fresh tremors in Naga hills !

Veteran Jamir targets "some people who were nowhere to be seen" in 1960s; Guv Ravi flays people outside Nagaland getting inspired by 'Maoist ideology'

Jamir, Rio and Guv Ravi: Respecting a legacy

There is yet another round of clash between Nagaland Governor R N Ravi and the NSCN (IM).

Governor comes under attack from Naga Hoho, NSF

"We never expected such antagonistic statement from a brilliant, intelligent and self respecting interlocutor....", says Naga Hoho slamming Governor Ravi's hard hitting message against NSCN (IM) - of course not naming them!

Veteran S C Jamir, former Chief Minister and who also served as Governor in Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat, directs his tirade against "some people who were nowhere to be seen" during formative years in the 1960s were now "unrealistically muddying the fountainhead". 

This time the militant group, which is in parleys with the Government of India since 1997, now says: "For the Nagas, the creation of Nagaland state as a result of manipulation and treachery has been recorded as an act of insult to the freedom fighters in particular and to the Naga people in general".

The strong statement comes close on the heels of a rather unusual but assertive statement from the state Governor R N Ravi, who in his Statehood Day message, said "Nagaland state is an abiding testimony to the triumph of the politics of peace over the politics of bloodshed. It is a proud saga of the indomitable Naga spirit which rejected the politics of gun and gun powder in favour of politics of democracy and dialogue". 

The influential Naga Students Federation (NSF) has also flayed Governor. 

It said: "Though there is no denying the fact that the creation of Nagaland did reap in monetary dividends for a section of the Naga people besides other tangible and intangible perks, it had only resulted in a more fractious Naga society and Governor's claim that it has been the best thing to happen to the Naga people only reveals his shallow understanding of the Naga history and also the narrow walls within which he has been trying to solve the vexed Indo Naga political issue". 

The NSCN (IM) has been also critical of the Naga People's Convention - a body of prominent Naga leaders which inked the first statehood agreement in 1960. The pact had finally heralded the formation of the 16th state of Indian Union.

In his address, the Governor pointed out that the Government of India had recognised the "uniqueness of the Nagas" and thus the special constitutional provision Article 371-A was granted. Ravi also maintained that - "History bears testimony to the fact that armed insurgencies have rarely succeeded in achieving their political objectives and have invariably left a trail of blood, betrayal and bitterness".

In his observation without naming NSCN(IM), Ravi made a veiled attack on the ultra group and perhaps its leader Thuingaleng Muivah that - "Protracted armed insurgency and endless peace process have taken an unacceptable toll on the people of Nagaland".

The NSCN (IM) is in peace talks with the centre for last 23 years and lately brought in major hurdles by raising the issues of Flag and separate Constitution.

Of course no elected government at the centre can afford to open up any negotiation or compromise on these as these would only open a Pandora's box across the sub-continent.

Ravi also outright rejected the twin and 'unacceptable' demands of flag and constitution and said these issues remain strictly non-negotiable.
"Anyone talking anything contrary (that Flag and Constitution are being negotiated) is peddling preposterous lies".

The situation is turning complex as military operations have been launched against NSCN (IM) and other militant groups outside Nagaland.
Lately army chief Gen M M Naravane himself landed in state capital Kohima and held crucial meetings with senior military officers, Governor Ravi and also Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.

The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN - Isak Muivah) faction issued a strongly worded statement on Nov 24 stating "our patience (perhaps in reference to military operations in certain pockets) should not be translated as weak and helpless".

"The consequences...will be disastrous for both the parties (NSCN-IM and Govt of India). This is never in the interest of ceasefire across Naga areas".

The talks have one way or the other reached final stage. Seven militant groups operating in Nagaland under the umbrella body, NNPG, are already too kin to sign the peace pact.

Meanwhile, in a major development, the state authorities in a major function graced by Governor Ravi, Chief Minister Rio and veteran protagonist of Naga politics S C Jamir; a bust of legendary Dr Imkongliba Ao, the president of Naga People's Convention (of 1960s) was unveiled at the Raj Bhavan premises.

"Governor lamented that the people of Nagaland have not yet been able to fully enjoy the fruits of statehood due to some people, mostly from outside the state, who in pursuance of a perverse political ideology, are creating roadblocks to enduring peace in the state".

Press Release from Nagaland Raj Bhavan, Kohima

December 01, 2020 PRESS RELEASE 

The 58th Statehood Day of Nagaland was celebrated on December 01, 2020 at Raj Bhavan Kohima. 

Rich tributes were paid to the Founding Fathers of Nagaland – the leaders of the Naga Peoples’ Convention and all those martyrs who sacrificed their life for securing the honourable future for the Naga people and created Nagaland as the 16th State of the Union of India. 

A memorial to commemorate the contributions of the Founding Fathers and the Martyrs was inaugurated in the Lawns of Dr.Imkongliba Ao Hall, Raj Bhavan with unveiling a magnificent bust of Dr.Imkongliba Ao, the President, Naga Peoples’ Convention who was martyred soon. 

Family members of the NPC leaders were felicitated by the Hon’ble Governor. Padma Bhushan Dr.S.C.Jamir, the sole surviving leader of the Naga Peoples’ Convention graced the occasion with his presence. 

He recollected the intricacies of over three years of hard work during which the Naga leaders under the Presidentship of Dr.Imkongliba Ao mobilised the Nagas under extremely trying circumstances. He said that Nagaland State became a legitimate member of the Indian Union through Divine intervention when the All loving God looked at the Naga people who were wandering in the midst of chaos and pulled them out of it. 

He asserted that successive Governments and MLAs in the last 57 years have taken oath of allegiance to the Constitution of India. 

The Constitutional Provisions on Nagaland is the fountainhead for Nagas and it shouldn’t be muddied by anyone. Unfortunately some people who were nowhere to be seen during the critical periods of Naga history are now unrealistically muddying the fountainhead. While paying tribes to Dr.Imkongliba Ao, he exhorted the Nagas to unite and move forward along with the rest of the Country. 

Hon’ble Chief Minister extended Statehood greetings to the people of the State and paid tributes to Dr.Imkongliba Ao the architect of Nagaland State. He recalled the progress made by the State in various fields and stated the commitment of the State Government to the Seven-Point resolution adopted by the consultative meeting of October 15, 2020 wherein all stakeholders of Naga Society unanimously resolved to support for “One Solution”. 

Hon’ble Governor Nagaland Shri R. N. Ravi while extending warm statehood greetings to the people of the State paid rich tributes to the leaders of Naga Peoples’ Convention and countless Nagas whose blood, sweat and sacrifices created the Nagaland State. He stated that the leaders of Naga Peoples’ Convention through a peaceful democratic process for over three years and intensely extensive socio-political churning of Naga Society helped crystallize the free-will of the Naga people on their political future. They united the Nagas living in Assam and NEFA. 

Governor Ravi added that Nagas, through centuries, have been a freedom loving people. They have fiercely resisted any attempt of encroachment on their way of life. The bold and farsighted NPC leaders secured the people of Nagaland their freedom from any interference in their way of life including customs, cultures, traditions, religion, system of justice and land and resources through a Constitutional safeguard. While felicitating the family members of the NPC leaders he hailed them as the true heroes of Nagaland. Governor lamented that the people of Nagaland have not yet been able to fully enjoy the fruits of statehood due to some people, mostly from outside the State, who in pursuance of a perverse political ideology, are creating roadblocks to enduring peace in the State. 

These people have been peddling preposterous lies to mislead the people. While unveiling the magnificent bust of Dr.Imkongliba Ao he urged the people of Nagaland to renew their sense of gratitude to the Founding Fathers and commit themselves to build a Nagaland of their dreams where genius of the Naga people will blossom to the fullest. The family members and officials of the Naga Peoples’ Convention were felicitated by the Governor and Smti Laxmi Ravi during the occasion. 

Shri Sorei Keishing, a professional sculptor who designed and sculpted the bust was acknowledged by Hon’ble Governor during the function as well. Hon’ble Speaker, Nagaland Legislative Assembly, ShriSharingain Longkumer, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Y.Patton, Hon’ble Minister, Higher Education & Tribal Affairs, Shri Temjen Imna Along, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Shri K G Kenye were among the present. Shri Tali Longkumer, IAS(Retd.), son of Dr Imkongliba Ao also attended the programme. Rev. T.W.Yamyap Konyak, State Chaplain pronounced the invocation prayer and welcome address was delivered by Shri Jane Alam, IAS, Chief Secretary, Nagaland. 

The Hon’ble President of India, Hon’ble Vice-President of India, Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Lok Sabha Speaker, Shri Om Birla, Hon’ble Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah, Hon’ble Defence Minister, Shri Raj Nath Singh, Hon’ble Finance Minister, Smti Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon’ble Minister, Hon’ble Minister, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Minister, Tribal Affairs, Shri Arjun Munda, Hon’ble Minister, Culture, Shri Prahalad Patel, DoNER, Dr Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Minister, Sports, Shri Kiren Rijiju, BJP President, Shri J P Nadda, all the Chief Ministers of North East States, Hon’ble Governor of Manipur, Dr.Najma Heptulla, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh, Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan, and a large number of dignitaries and celebrities including Bollywood tweeted their best wishes and greetings to the people of Nagaland on this occasion. 

PRO Raj Bhavan, Kohima