Nagalim Voice OKING | VOL 006 | ISSUE 002 JULY | 2014 EDITORIAL A Naga International Support Center, NISC www.nagalim.nl Congratulations to Mr. Narendra A human rights organization Modi, the new Prime Minister of India London May 6 2014, Amsterdam May 12 2014 on his successful election to the 16th In- dia Lok Sabha election held recently. We Absence of Postcolonial Accountability the root cause wish him a successful tenure in Parlia- ment while serving the people of the larg- of conflicts regarding Self Determination? est democracy in the world. We hope that Mr. Narendra Modi will be able to sail In the Netherlands, where I am from, we celebrated Lib- smoothly through the rough political wa- eration Day yesterday for the 69th time. Why? Because we ter of India as he enjoys majority in Par- should never forget how precious freedom really is; it should liament. We can’t help but bid adieu to Dr. not be taken for granted. Manmohan Singh, the former Prime Min- Informal Meeting with Ajit Lal (GoI) This is especially true for the Indigenous Peoples of our ister of India who tried his best to resolve/ world because most of them have not been able to enjoy the transform the Indo-Naga issue. sible with a man guided by the teachings of the freedom we experience as normal. While congratulating the new Prime Prince of Peace and the correct political ideas I am the secretary of the Naga International Support Cent- Minister of India, it is also imperative to in- and wisdom. We, Nagas, must rise up to the oc- form him of his moral and political respon- er and as such support the Naga Peoples in their quest for Self casion. Time has come for the Nagas to capital- Determination, the right to determine their own future which sibility towards finding a solution to the ise on the prevailing circumstances we are in. protracted Indo-Naga political conflict. The has been denied to them from the time the Union of India and It’d be better if Nagas pull up their socks and Burma became independent. new Prime Minister of India is well aware work in unison. We must not allow anyone to of the fact that Government of India (GoI) spoil the game at this crucial juncture of our his- Nagas had nothing much in common with India or Burma, and the National Socialist Council of Na- tory. The present time calls for serious interven- not historically, culturally, religiously, neither in communication galim (NSCN) have been having political tion and involvement of the mass, civil societies, or trade. The British rulers knew this because already in 1929 level negotiations since 1st August 1997. intellectuals, media and personalities of various the Nagas told this to the Simon Commission which had come He may also be aware that Congress-led fields in putting pressure to the BJP-led NDA to prepare for decolonization of the Indian subcontinent. But UPA Government has deliberately failed to Government at the Centre to give the ongoing Great Britain handed Nagaland over to India without as much implement the recognition of the “Unique Indo-Naga political negotiations a priority. History and Situation of the Nagas” by as consulting them further. Even though Nagaland declared in- GoI during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s Prime We wish good health and political wis- dependence in 1947 the United Nations did acknowledge the Ministerial-ship on 11 July, 2002 in Am- dom to our Collective Leadership- Isak Chi- reception of the sent wire but did not honour the sovereignty sterdam. This official recognition of the shi Swu and Th. Muivah and the rest while of Nagaland. The Nagas did not want to be dominated by In- Unique History and Situation of the Nagas negotiating with the new Government in New dia and held a plebiscite to prove that point, but In 1954 India by the GoI is very important as far as the Delhi. The Collective Leadership’s Political invaded Nagaland. Because the new rulers thought they could political issue between the two entities is Vision, astuteness, Sacrifices; Achievements crush the Nagas in one day like Jawaharlal Nehru predicted that and Challenges shall surely bear much fruits concerned. The recognition simply means is when the war began. It is interesting to note that Great Britain now and for generations to come. India recognises the historical and political now the United Kingdom kept quiet all this time and so it may rights of the Nagas. It also means a solu- Kuknalim. very well be important to investigate its role in relation to post- tion will be based on the basis of the his- colonial accountability. After all, Great Britain only colonized torical and political rights of the Nagas. It a small portion of Nagaland; more than two-thirds of the Naga is, thus, very important for the new Prime A monthly bulletin “Nagalim Voice” territories was never colonized were known to the British as the Minister of India to be very serious in trans- lating what was recognised in 2002 into a invites serious ideas. un-administered areas of the Free Nagas. So, how could Britain reality in the interest of the people of India give something to India it did not even own? Disputable also is and Nagalim. It is hoped that Mr. Modi will The Ministry of Information and the less than one-thirds of Nagaland which is being controlled take personal interest in implementing the Publicity (MIP) run bulletin “Nagalim by India and so that in itself should have caused international official recognition which was signed dur- Voice”, circulated extensively within the debate on the postcolonial nations which to say the least, decol- ing Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government. In NSCN comes a step closer to solicit the onized rather sloppily without as much as looking back to see doing so, Mr. Modi should have the cour- ideas of the Naga intellectuals, to take on the the conflictuous aftermath they caused with the possibility of age to exercise political wisdom in trans- table of decision makers. defusing the situation. No, neither Great Britain nor any other forming one of the longest running con- colonial nation did that and so many armed conflicts raging in flicts in the world. Taking full cognizance of the churning this world are directly related to sloppy decolonization; sloppy ideas of the youths and the intellectuals in It is also equally important that Na- because the rights of peoples were neglected, ignored or worse. this information age, the MIP attempts to gas do their parts in areas such as diplo- Most Indigenous Peoples around the world were not strong macy, dialogues with cross sections of the facilitate a platform of intimate dialogue with enough to stand up for their right to Self Determination but the people who matters to the issue, political the leaders of the revolutionary government activism at all levels from top to grassroots through “Nagalim Voice”. Nagas for sixty years now successfully defended their lands against what they felt as their invaders. Though are parts of the levels and establishing networking and re- For your valued ideas, opinions and International Community they do so without any help from the lations with all neighbouring communities constructive criticisms, write at any length outside world they were cut off from for a very long time. And, in informing them of the importance of re- but in less than 1500 words, and e.mail at spite of the successful efforts to divide and rule over the Nagas, solving the Indo-Naga political issue. The [email protected] basic point to drive home is that this hard- they still hold their ground but are cornered. Even though a cease- earned Peace Process should not be wasted Also visit our website at www. fire, signed in 1997, brought relative peace they are cornered at any cost. So many challenges are ahead of nagalimvoice.com. because their movements are monitored, their passports not re- us, but still then the word, “Impossible” is The article may be reached on or before newed and all communications like phone, email, whatsapp etc. found only in dictionary. Nothing is impos- 25th of every month. are being checked. Weakened because of divisions among them KUKNALIM. brought on by Indian Intelligence through money and weapons MIP-GPRN. deteriorates their situation further. This is why the Naga International Support Centre calls Disclaimer: each and everyone to do justice to the Nagas and all other Peo- ples who experience the same treatments. Nagas have the right The articles and opinion shared by to be free of domination and need our support to make this various writers are their own. Nagalim come true. Postcolonial accountability and Indian neo coloni- Voice does not in any way subscribe or zation should be exposed and serve as an example for all other own responsibility to their views. No Indigenous Peoples whose lands and livelihood are taken to en- rich those in power. Gen. Secy. Th. Muivah having intensive part of Nagalim Voice shall be allowed discussion with senior NSCN Leaders invited by to reproduce in any form without the Thank you very much the Collective Leadership in New Delhi prior consent of MIP-GPRN. Frans Welman, Secy. NISC 2 | NAGALIM VOICE JULY | 2014 THE OTHER SIDE OF CEASEFIRE Gideon Shadang Student of Political Thought New Delhi I can’t let go unnoticed the anguished feelings of this despair, the forewarned fear strikes me deep. I am not a linguist but easy expression comes clinically of this multiple organ failures. Where could have I gone wrong all through this life, my senses were sharp until yesterday.