“Tell us what steps to take now, not just history,” Niki Sumi tells intellectuals

Addressing a myriad of challenges in the Naga political issue, NSCN-K (Niki) leader Niki Sumi urged intellectuals to stop focusing solely on history and Naga political rights, and instead advise political parties on the steps that need to be taken in the present situation.

“Tell us what steps to take now, not just history,” Sumi said during a 50-minute press briefing, adding that it would be helpful if intellectuals could guide and advise the political parties.

He also stressed the importance of Naga unity, stating that the responsibility does not lie with the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) alone, but that those in the overground must also share the burden equally.

He pointed out that while Naga unity is frequently discussed, it rarely translates into action. Referring to the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), which has spearheaded unity efforts so far, he questioned the approach of smaller organizations trying to unite the Nagas while sidelining the FNR. “How will it fare?” he asked.

Although acknowledging the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organisation’s (ENPO) stance of “Unity first, solution second,” Sumi posed a pointed question: “If that’s the case, then why are you not coming to attend the meetings? Come to the meetings, share your concerns, views, and express your opinions. If you keep avoiding, how will unity take place?”

Highlighting deep-rooted corruption, he said it is not limited to the Naga political groups, but extends from the state government to village councils, from department directors to self-help groups.

Condemning factionalism, he acknowledged that Naga political groups are also engaging in corrupt practices. He criticized the growing divisions in Nagaland, stating that “factionalism stems entirely from corruption.”

On the issue of ideological clarity, Sumi said, “NSCN is a socialist party, it is a people’s government. From where is the factionalism occurring? Factionalism comes from democracy due to its majority.” He asked, “Even in military coup, only the president is the supreme leader, then how is the prime minister impeaching the president? The political group leaders themselves do not know how it is functioning.”

Sumi recalled the foundational principles of the NSCN/GPRN: “Right after formation, we made constitution, manifesto, and discipline under socialist one party, one government. Then why so many factions coming out?” He lamented that the NSCNs are “imitating India’s democracy” without understanding their own socialist roots.

Drawing parallels with the U.S. system, he said, “Even the NNC Federal Government—there is only one federal government, that is the U.S. It is headed by a president, the rest are only secretaries. From where is factionalism taking place? How many parent body do we need?”

He also criticized the current nomenclature and deviation from past agreements. “All NSCNs during the ’80s to ’90s decided the Naga military will be called People’s Army of Nagaland (PAN), it’s like the communist. Only the government is socialist. But today, with the coming of India’s democracy, we are saying ‘Naga Army’ and shying away from using PAN.”

Sumi claimed that a root cause of factionalism is that “NSCNs themselves do not understand the constitution and the rules and regulations.”

Despite the criticisms, Sumi held out hope for unity, proposing a proactive role for the state government. “There is one hope for the Naga Unity to turn into reality. State government can play a huge role. Invite all Naga Political Groups, CSOs, tribal and frontal bodies and discuss what needs to be done.”

He firmly reminded that any unity process must be broad-based and regionally inclusive. “Inclusive is not Nagas of Nagaland,” he asserted. “We should not neglect UNC Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Myanmar.”

(This is an extract from a 50-minute-long press briefing by NSCN-K (Niki) leader Niki Sumi.)

MT