Speech of Q Tuccu, President of NSCN-IM on 45th Naga Republic Day Celebration on the 21st March, 2024, Council Headquarters (CHq), Hebron

My dear countrymen! Today is a great day in the history of the Nagas. As we celebrate this historic day, let us take a moment to reflect on the significance of our Constitution and the values it upholds. Our Constitution is a beacon of hope, a symbol of our commitment to stand by our historical and political rights.

Let us therefore, breathe the air of faith in our hearts and the memories in our souls of those who have shown us the way through their martyrdom. Let us salute the Naga nation today and fill our hearts with pride and hope in our Almighty God who has sustained us giving us the courage to stand by our rights. Let us remember our patriotic leaders and our thanks to many people who fought for our God given rights under the banner of our flag.

Our flag tells everything about our nation, our identity that nobody can take it away. It is this flag that bring us all together as a nation. Let me remind you that from the day NSCN entered into political talks with the government of India we made our stand very clear that no attempt should be made to bully the Nagas into submission.

We took the bold stand to tell the government of India that the blunder of history should not be repeated by introducing another 16 point type of solution. Having taken such stand, it was no doubt a tough negotiation all the way as GOI was desperate to have its own way imposed on us. We stood the ground, not submitting to their self-centred and domineering narrative.

Our perseverance was ultimately rewarded when the final breakthrough came in 2002 when the unique history of the Nagas and the situation was given official recognition by the government of India. This changes the power dynamics of NSCN and boost up their morale. It was a turning point and milestone as the absolute truth of the historical and political rights of the Nagas was placed beyond the contestable spectrum. However, it took us more than a decade of tough talking to take forward the Indo-Naga political talks based on the unique history of the Nagas. No wonder, the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi demonstrate high level of initiative to solve the Naga political issue through his dynamic leadership as he started doing the spadework towards signing the peace agreement with NSCN to end the seven decades old Naga issue once for all.

Finally, the world was awaken when the high profile signing ceremony of Framework Agreement of 3rd August, 2015 was broadcast live in TV channels to make the world bear witness to the historic agreement. Significantly, this agreement made an indelible impact on the Indo-Naga political talks as we remained resolute to stand by Framework Agreement in the face of the flagging attention by the government of India.

Respected countrymen, we are now in a situation where we must exhibit true political courage. NSCN is not ready to stand by and tamely accept defeat to surrender our rights. Let us together carry on the essence of Naga Republic beyond this moment. Let us exercise our duty to uphold the values as we continue with this timeless tradition as it symbolizes the achievement of Naga independence and the establishment of our government to assert our political identity.

The Republic Day also highlights the democratic values and principles of our Constitution put forward which serves as the guiding document for the nation. May the flame of patriotism continue to burn brightly in the hearts of all Nagas.

Kuknalim
Q. Tuccu