The Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) has issued a statement expressing concern over what it described as increasing activities of armed Kuki groups in the ‘southern sector of Nagaland’ and adjoining areas.
In a statement issued by its Ministry of Rali Wali (Information & Publicity) on May 19 from its Oking, the FGN stated that it had been “tolerantly watching on the prolonged criminal activities of the Kuki armed terrorists in the Southern sector of Nagaland and around.”
The statement further alleged that “the terrorist activities and bloodthirsty culture of the landless Kuki terrorists have now reached beyond the range of human nature,” adding that the notification was being issued “to act against them along with the right thinking peoples and nations.”
Reaffirming its position on Naga identity and territory, the FGN stated that “the ancestral LAND which permanently belonged to Nagas is called NAGALAND.”
It further stated that “every male/female who is born of the Naga blood, as enshrined in the Article 10 of the Yehzabo (constitution) of Nagaland, is a bona fide citizen of Nagaland.”
At the same time, the FGN clarified that “the Kuki Tribal Union (KTU) and its genuine members and all non-Nagas who have been honestly and peacefully living with the Nagas in Naga territories, in accordance with the provisions of the Yehzabo (Constitution) of Nagaland, are our brothers and sisters as a citizen of Nagaland.”
At the same time, the FGN clarified that “the Kuki Tribal Union (KTU) and its genuine members and all non-Nagas who have been honestly and peacefully living with the Nagas in Naga territories, in accordance with the provisions of the Yehzabo (Constitution) of Nagaland, are our brothers and sisters as a citizen of Nagaland.”
The statement added that “apart from these, the mandated Naga National Council (NNC) and the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) do not recognize any group or anyone else.”
Referring to “illegal immigrants, refugees and armed terrorists,” the FGN alleged that such groups were “disturbing the normal lives and attacking against the Nagas and the neighboring indigenous peoples” and termed them “the arch-enemy of all peace loving peoples and nations.”
The statement further asserted that “such anti-people and anti-nationals should be cleaned up together.”
Calling for unity among Nagas, the FGN stated that it “therefore calls upon all Nagas irrespective of areas, communities and Regions to unitedly stand and defend our land and our people as a Nation.”