Major General (Retd) Ramkathing, Steering Executive Member of NSCN/GPRN (IM), cautioned that playing politics without basing in history could lead to the loss of Naga identity. He made these remarks during the 78th Naga Independence Day at Senten Riju, Mangmetong village, Mokokchung, on August 14, 2024.
The event was organized by the Ex National Workers of Longkhum, Mangmetong, Alichen and Satsu.
During his speech, Ramkathing highlighted the historical resilience of the Naga people, stating, “Britishers were not able to conquer even one of our villages. We (Nagas) were free people. So, we should ponder about what and where our future lies.”
He emphasized the significance of remembering the Naga National Movement’s origins, noting, “The Naga National Movement did not start with us. Our forefathers started it. We must remember that,” and acknowledged that Mangmetong village was the first village where the NSCN-IM established its presence in the Ao region.
Recalling the Mangmetong village’s history, he said, “19 times this village was burned down and when I first came to the village, I realized that the Ao forefathers have suffered a lot. The movement did not begin with me coming to the village. The Ao Nagas have given so much for our Naga nation before I even came here.” He asked, “Are the youngsters understanding it or not? Are the parents passing down these stories to the youngsters?”
The British used two policies to conquer the world, Ramkathing said: Christianity and education. Similarly, he pointed out, India used two policies—Hinduism and Divide and Rule.
“I was told that there were 26 factions. I didn’t even know that 26 factions existed,” said the Major, recalling how NSCN-IM, despite having few members initially, successfully presented the Naga issue to the UNPO.
Ramkathing critiqued the spread of factions within the Naga movement, warning that “there are many national workers who are doing it for self-interest and not for national-interest.” He urged national workers to retrospect, cautioning, “If we keep doing only what we wish, we will become anti-people.” He stressed that in order to straighten the nation, all the Nagas are equally responsible. He challenged whether people are willing to confront wrongdoing, even when it involves their own family and community.
On the proliferation of factions, he said, “If I have to make a faction, I can create a faction on my own too because there are people who will follow me, but then the first thing I should ask is, what is the destination of that faction and what will be the goal of my faction? These are the questions we should ask.”
He further alleged that many factions were Indian creations, recalling, “Khole was provided a Rs 5 crore installment to create his own faction by the Indians, but Khole, who was a national worker said he was to work as a national worker and not sold himself, so, he rejected and came searching for NSCN-IM in Delhi.”
In response to calls for unity among the factions, Ramkathing questioned, “Who is there to bring unity and on what principle and on what rights? On what basis will we have unity? To unite we should have the right principle and the right ideology.”
Ramkathing also viewed that initiative by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) has allowed for the creation of more factions. “Many are taking undue advantage and creating more factions as FNR initiated that no matter what, even if they are Indian-sponsored, they are not to do anything to one another and hence, this has led to the mushrooming of factions among the Nagas causing divisions,” he opined.
He reminded the factions that India has one commitment – one people, one agreement, and one solution. “There will be no two solutions,” he said.
The Major also recounted the signing of the Framework Agreement by NSCN-IM, noting that they are in the process of making competencies for it. He stated that NSCN-IM, after talking for a long time, discussed “Shared Sovereignty” with India, recognizing the need for mutual cooperation. He pointed out that, “Defense, communication, external affairs and currency” are some that should be shared with India and added that given the lack of industries, the Nagas need to depend on someone while maintaining their identity.
He challenged, “Will you take a nationality gained by someone else or will you take a nationality gained by yourself and preserve your own identity?”
Ramkathing also asserted that Naga self-determination is not at India’s mercy, stating, “Naga self-determination is with the Nagas.” He also rejected RN Ravi’s claim that the Indo-Naga talks have concluded, asking, “Do we have any signed documents that shows that the Indo-Naga peace talk have concluded?”
Shillong Accord and the formation of NSCN
Major General (Retd) Ramkathing also delved into the historical events that led to the formation of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN).
Ramkathing began by affirming the authenticity of the Naga National Council (NNC) as the only legitimate political group representing the Nagas, stating, “In Naga Nationality, the only authentic political group was NNC, that is why we joined the NNC. But with the signing of Shillong Accord, all NNC and FGN rights were surrendered. Therefore, how can NNC move forward?”
He recounted the critical moment when the NNC leadership became aware of the Shillong Accord, which was signed without the knowledge of key figures. “That was when Muivah said, one party, one nation, one government. Muivah said, I have no knowledge that Shillong Accord will be signed. NNC President is Phizo, Vice President is Imkongmeren, and General Secretary is me, said Muivah. Phizo was in London, Imkongmeren was in jail, thus, the home authority was me but I was not aware that Shillong Accord will be signed. The party was not aware and had no knowledge because it was ‘one party another government’ and no longer ‘one party one government’,” Ramkathing explained.
He emphasized the confusion and failure within the NNC that allowed the Shillong Accord to come into existence, leading to a pivotal decision. “Therefore, what Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) was doing under a different leadership, NNC did not understand, and because there was a failure in the system, Shillong Accord existed because of it. Thus, we decided there will be one party, one government.”
Ramkathing highlighted the errors in the 1972 constitution and its subsequent surrender to the Shillong Accord. He noted that in 1976, the Shillong Accord was condemned, and the NNC was revived under the leadership of Phizo. “As per the new constitution, NNC President was Phizo, and FGN President was also Phizo because everything had to follow as one government, one party, and NNC was thus revived,” he stated.
However, in 1978, a significant shift occurred with the declaration of Martial Law. Ramkathing described the impact of this move, stating, “According to the Martial Law, starting today, NNC and FGN office workers were to give to the army and were asked to sign it. That was the order. During that time, Muivah said, this is wrong because I am the General Secretary of NNC, and you made me represent NNC and if you don’t want, I will step down but armies should never own political and administrative power; otherwise, it will be a political blunder.”
The culmination of these events, according to Ramkathing, led to a critical turning point: “Isak Muivah signed and there was no NNC. There was no NNC with the Martial Coup. This was when it was decided that we can’t go on under the name NNC all the time and the NSCN was formed.”
He concluded by reflecting on the broader significance of this evolution in Naga national movement. “NNC is for the Nagas politically, and so is NSCN. NSCN was formed because there was a deadlock with the NNC,” Ramkathing remarked.