"The Government of India has installed and patronized individuals who, while outwardly professing commitment to the Naga cause, have repeatedly revealed their true intentions through policies and proposals that place personal, political, and financial interests above the rights and aspirations of the Naga people,"
--- the FGN/NNC said in a strongly worded statement.
The orgaisation - which has strong presence in Tenyimia region (the supposed stronghold and traditional bastion of regional party NPF) - objected to the the "directive issued by the Government of India" encouraging the observance of International Yoga Day on June 21 and said this "raises concerns among many Nagas regarding the gradual introduction of external cultural and religious influences into educational institutions and society".
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| NNC Founder - A Z Phizo |
The FGN under the leadership of Zhopra Vero says: "While there can be no objection to activities aimed at promoting physical health and well-being, it must also be acknowledged that yoga has historical and philosophical roots in Hindu traditions.
"Therefore, care must be taken to ensure that such programmes remain voluntary and respectful of the religious convictions and cultural identity of all communities."
The NPF-BJP leadership under incumbent chief minister Neiphiu Rio has already under sharp attack by the pro-Solution body of militants, the NNPG (Kitovi) for signing the pact with Assam Govt and the Union Petroleum ministry.
The oil extraction is a major sensitive issue vis-a-vis the Naga political problem - perhaps awaiting an early solution pact essentially based on Framework Agreement of 2015 and the Agreed Position of 2017.
An argument has also been circulated by pro-Status quo club that the two agreements "cannot be implemented together or simultaneously".
During the stint of A K Mishra as the advisor - north east; an effort was made for making the stakeholders agree to a common draft. But such attempts too were sabotaged by direct and indirect patronage of vested interests in Kohima and their covert and overt coordinates and well-wishers.
"Even a meta-physical organisation in the name of church and religious sentiment kept on holding meetings in different places only to keep the matter pending and keep the much desired Solution at bay," says an informed source expressing total displeasure at the way things have been handled.
In one closed door meeting, Home Minister Amit Shah reportedly Nagaland CM Rio and Ministers and "let them go red-faced" urging them not to blame R N Ravi or A K Mishra.
The central government's argument has been - Do not blame the interlocutors and messengers; they only follow Govt's policy stance and guidelines.
There have been strong objections to an early Solution from the NSCN-IM which raised the bogey of Naga Constitution and Flag - the twin demands which could never be entertained by any elected government in Delhi.
The FGN says:
"Every nation maintains a population census to determine demographic growth or decline. However, the proposed 16th Census of India, scheduled to be conducted in Nagaland from 1 July to 30 July 2026, must be viewed in its proper historical and political context.
"The NNC/FGN maintains that any census confined to the present political boundaries of Nagaland presents only a fragment of the Naga people and cannot be accepted as an accurate representation of the Naga nation as a whole.
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| CM Rio ::: So far, so good ::: Keeping all sides in Humour |
"For decades, India and Myanmar (Burma) have divided Naga ancestral lands into separate administrative units without the consent of the Naga people and have incorporated them into the present State of Nagaland, the neighbouring states of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, and parts of Myanmar.
Consequently, any attempt to enumerate Nagas solely within the boundaries of present-day Nagaland creates a misleading impression that the Nagas constitute only a small and marginal community.
"In reality, the Naga people inhabit territories across these artificial divisions, with their total population estimated to be around four million.
Therefore, the NNC/FGN views such exercises as contributing to a false narrative that portrays the Nagas as too few in number, too fragmented, and ultimately incapable of existing as a distinct nation".
The organisation drawing inspiration from the NNC and late legendary leader A Z Phizo also says:
"Notwithstanding these limitations, the NNC/FGN cautions against the malpractices and deliberate manipulation of figures that have been exhibited in the present so called “Nagaland State” over the decades by collaborators Naga People’s Convention (NPC) for political and material gains."
It also raises objections on certain matters like increasing the number of MLAs and insists that:
"The persistent presentation of inflated and inaccurate data to secure additional MLA seats, expand vote banks, or obtain greater financial allocations has seriously undermined the credibility of census records.
"Such practices contributed to the anomalous negative population growth recorded in the 2011 so called “Nagaland State” Census and, in many ways, tarnished the image of the Naga people before the wider world.
"Rather than reflecting the virtues of honesty and integrity for which the Nagas were once known, these distortions have projected an image of inconsistency and dishonesty.
The intentions behind such actions are transparently self-serving and demonstrate a complete disregard for the principles of honesty, integrity, and service to the community.
"The pursuit of wealth, status, and short-term political advantage derived from Indian resources has, for many, overshadowed the foundational values that once defined them as Nagas and Christians," the statement lamented.
The FGN also says:
"In their relentless quest to fill their coffers, accumulate political power, and please their masters in Delhi, many NPC leaders have inflicted immeasurable damage upon the historical rights of the Naga people and compromised the future of coming generations.
"For personal gain and temporary political relevance, they have bartered away principles that ought to have been safeguarded with utmost responsibility and sacrifice.
"Blinded by immediate gain and political power, these collaborators have knowingly or unknowingly welcomed foreign vices and destructive influences that have brought havoc to our society and contributed to its present moral and social paralysis," it said.
The statement also says that: "Although the Village Development Boards system was instituted with the noble intention of promoting grassroots participation and local development, over the years in pursuit of increased funding, supplies, and benefits, some VDBs and local institutions have reportedly resorted to enrolling and presenting inaccurate population figures.
Such distortions not only compromise the integrity of the census process but also weaken public trust in local institutions and encourage a culture where falsehood is rewarded at the expense of truth. Irrespective of the outcome of the proposed census, it must be clearly understood that the population figures recorded within the present political boundaries of Nagaland do not represent the total Naga population.
"The Naga people are not confined to the artificial boundaries imposed by external powers. The Naga population encompasses all Nagas living across the various territories and political divisions created without their consent".
ends
