“No solution will justify the supreme sacrifices made by thousands of Nagas, so long as it does not recognise our national Independence. There should be only one solution for all Nagas and it will be Sovereignty solution,” stated the NSCN/GPRN, led by Yung Aung, in its Republic Day statement emphasizing the need for unity, reconciliation, and the pursuit of sovereignty as the only acceptable solution for the Naga people.
“At this critical juncture, NSCN/GPRN recognize and welcome our people’s call for healing, restoration, and reconciliation that might preserve our unity, territorial integrity and protect our nation from the evil of conflict and sedition,” the statement read.
Reflecting on the struggles Nagas have endured, the statement highlighted, “Over the years, Nagas has been through a lot of contradictions, challenges, conflicts, and temptations. But one thing is clear: Naga history cannot be interpreted according to the whims of any political group or any individual for no Naga is above the national principle or above righteousness.”
Urging the Naga people to remain resolute in their pursuit of freedom, the statement added, “Nagas need to know that there is a better future ahead than the one envisaged for them. And I believe that future generations of Nagas can one day look back with pride that we were on the right side of history.”
Despite acknowledging the challenges ahead, Yung Aung expressed optimism, saying, “We have to stay on course and although we will continue to be challenged, history has shown that we can overcome these odds. Our freedom will come and we will succeed.”
Yung Aung condemns ‘erasure’ of Naga identity, rejects India’s moves in Arunachal, border fence construction
The Yung Aung-led NSCN-K has reiterated its unwavering commitment to the Naga independence movement while strongly condemning alleged attempts by India and Myanmar to erase Naga identity and divide the Naga people.
Speaking on the occasion of the 45th Republic Day of the NSCN-K, Yung Aung expressed gratitude to the Naga people for their continued support in what he described as a struggle for survival. He paid tribute to Naga fighters and martyrs, calling their sacrifices a beacon of hope for future generations.
‘Nagas Will Never Surrender’
Aung asserted that the Naga nation was not formed by accident but through decades of resistance against what he termed “dual colonialist and imperialist forces” of India and Myanmar. He claimed that the Naga struggle was built on “sweat, tears, and blood” and that despite challenges, the movement remained strong.
Attributing India’s stance to indifference and repression, he rejected the Indian government’s labeling of the NSCN as a terrorist organization. “. “India, which regards self-defense as terrorism, tends to forget her own political history. She must remember that if Bhagat Singh and Subhash Chandra Bose are not terrorists, neither are the Nagas,” he stated, declaring that the movement would not be intimidated into surrender.
Accusations of ‘Divide and Destroy’ tactics
Aung accused both India and Myanmar of encouraging factionalism among the Nagas in an attempt to weaken the movement. However, he asserted that such policies would not succeed, as “Nagas are the masters of their own future” and “God has destined the Nagas to live together as one people and one nation.” He described sovereignty as the foundation of the Naga right to self-governance, protection of land, and preservation of identity.
Condemnation of policies in Arunachal Pradesh and border fence construction
The NSCN-K leader strongly opposed what he called India’s attempts to distort Naga history, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh. He condemned the Indian government’s decision, in coordination with the state government, to “delete the Naga identity” from the region, calling it a direct attack on Naga unity.
Additionally, he criticized the ongoing construction of a border fence along the Indo-Myanmar boundary, calling it an “insidious attempt to alter the demographics of Naga areas and divide the Naga family permanently.” He warned that resistance would be mounted at all levels to counter what he described as an illegal encroachment on Naga rights.
Warning to Naga Leaders
Aung issued a strong warning to Naga MLAs, public leaders, and organizations that align with these policies, declaring that they would be classified as “anti-Naga.” He also stated that those who “betrayed the sacrifices of the Naga nation and bargained the Naga people’s blood for personal gains” would be held accountable by history.