THE HISTORY OF NAGA NATIONAL 

MOVEMENT

Who are Nagas?

The Naga people (pronounced as Na-Ga) are a conglomeration of several tribes inhabiting the North

Eastern part of India and north-western Burma. The tribes have similar cultures and traditions, and form
the majority ethnic group in Indian state of Nagaland, with significant presence in Manipur, Arunachal
Pradesh and some small population in Assam. The Naga speak various distinct Tibeto-Burman languages,
including Poumai (Poula), Sumi, Lotha, Sangtam, Angami, Pochuri, Ao, Mao (Emela), Inpui, Rongmei
(Ruangmei), Tangkhul, Thangal, Maram, and Zeme. In addition, they have developed Nagamese Creole,
which they use between tribes and villages, which each have their own dialect of language. However, all
the official function has been conducted in English language so far as I know.

What is the history of the Naga movement?

The British, who annexed Assam in 1826, constituted the Naga Hills district in 1866 and followed a policy
of non-interference towards the hill tribes. As British paramountcy in India ended, A Z Phizo, president
of theNaga National Council (NNC) declared independence on August 14, 1947. Since then the Naga Hills
have been in turmoil, and despite creation of a separate Nagaland state in 1963, the movement has
continued. After the sign of Shillong Accord in 1975 by NNC the NSCN were form by Isak Chisi Swu, Th.
Muivah and Khapland. NSCN (IM) and India have Prime-Ministerial talk; in 1992, the then Governor, M
M Thomas, a clergyman from Kerala, made the first successful move to get in touch with the NSCN. On
June 15, 1995, then prime minister P V Narasimha Rao first met Muivah and Swu in Paris. A ceasefire
was agreed upon with the Government of India with effect from August 1997. Subsequently, former
prime ministers H D Deve Gowda (February 1997), A B Vajpayee (September 1998) and Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh (December 2004) also met them. At least 50 rounds of talks have been held between
the two sides at various levels.

When the Peace talks were take place?

The relentless endeavor of the Peace Mission, actively supported by the church leaders headed by Rev.
Longri Ao and the liberal help and patronage of the State Government, finally resulted in an agreement
for Cessation of Fire signed by the then Governor Mr. Vishnu Sahay, on behalf of the Government of
India and the Peace Mission while Mr. Zashei Huire, Mr. Biseto Medom and Mr. L. Benito had signed on
behalf of the NNC underground government. Even though the agreement was officially declared on 6
September 1964 by organizing public meetings and special prayer meetings all over Nagaland, the actual
agreement was signed on 23 May 1964 at Sakraba Village in Phek district. The ceasefire was widely
welcomed in Nagaland. Eventually, the level of talks was raised and the venue shifted to Delhi
culminating in six rounds of talks in 1966 to 1967 between the then Prime Minister Mrs. Indira
Gandhi and the underground leaders.
The first round was held on 18–19 February in New Delhi and the underground delegation was led by
Mr. Kughato Sukhai, their "Prime Minister". The other members were Mr. Imkongmeren, "Vice
President", Mr. Issac Swu, "Foreign Secretary", Mr. S. Angami and Mr. Dallinamo. The final round of talks
with the Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi was held in New Delhi on 3 October 1967. In all peace talks
in New Delhi, the underground delegation was led by Mr. Kughato Sukhai. However, no positive
agreement could be reached as a result of these talks. The people became disenchanted with the
violence and yearned for peace. After talks with the NSCN (IM), the Government of India heeded the
wishes of the people and on 25 July 1997, the Prime Minister, Mr. I. K. Gujral, in a statement in the Lok
Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, announced a ceasefire with effect from 1 August 1997 for a period of three
months. The ceasefire declaration was followed by setting up of a Cease-fire Monitoring Cell to enforce
the Ground Rules as laid down by Government of India. The ceasefire was later extended further.
However, according to the UNPO, in 2009 the NSCN considered the biggest impediment to peace to be
the refusal of the government of India to officially extend the ceasefire to all Naga-inhabited areas
outside of Nagaland.[11] Clashes continued between the Indian army and the NSCN cadre.

Who are the NSCN?

The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) is the council of Naga people represent from all most
all Nagas tribes which was formed on January 31, 1980 by Isak Chisi Swu, Thuingaleng Muivah and SS
Khaplang, who were all opposed to the NNC signing the Shillong Accord in 1975. But as differences
cropped up, Khaplang moved out to form the NSCN(K) on April 30, 1988, with the original group coming
to be known as NSCN (IM).
The NSCN (IM) has a strong international network. In 1993, it was admitted to the Unrepresented
Peoples & Nations Organisation (UNPO). In Amsterdam, it has the Naga International Support Centre,
intended at making known to the world the Nagas and their struggle. The UK-based Naga Vigil is yet
another organisation providing vital support. NSCN President Isak Chisi Swu give speech in the UN
regard the right of Indigenous people. They were supported by Naga civil society including very powerful
person in the society, Naga intellects, Naga scholars, and various civil student bodies.

The NSCN(IM) movement, often called the “mother of all insurgencies”, is also held responsible for rise
of insurgent groups in other states of the Northeast. Its ‘Greater Nagalim’ demand has created
problems, with Assam and Manipur refusing to give even an inch of land.

What is the objective of the NSCN?

The NSCN are demanding Naga nation; primary aim is a Greater Nagalim comprising all Naga-inhabited
areas, irrespective of whether they are in India or Myanmar. The NSCN-IM’s manifesto is based on the
principle of socialist-democracy for economic development and a spiritual outlook — ‘Nagalim for
Christ.’ Incidentally, the Nagaland Assembly passed a resolution back in 1964 supporting inclusion of all
Naga-inhabited areas under one umbrella. Since then it has adopted the same resolution four more
times, provoking a counter-resolution in Assam and Manipur each time.

Who are the NSCN leaders?

The NSCN (IM) leadership was headed by Sumi Tribe Mr. Isak Chisi who is God fearing leader and it has a
dominance of Tangkhul Naga tribe inhabiting Senapati, Ukhrul, Chandel, Dimapur, Burma and
Tamenglong districts of adjoining Manipur. Mr. Thuingaleng Muivah, a Masters from Gauhati University,
is general secretary and ‘prime minister’ of the Government of People’s Republic of Nagalim (GPRN). Th.
Muivah is not like by many Naga intellects for his communist ideology but most of the educated
youngster respected to Visionary leader Mr. RH Raising who belief in Naga socialist-democracy and who
is the right hand of Isak Chisi Swu the president and Th. Muivah the prime minister and the NSCN. Isak
Swu is chairman. It has the number of leaders called collective leadership who belong to various Naga
tribes, a full-fledged nine-member ministry, the four major ministries being home, defense, finance and
foreign affairs.

Where does the NSCN get funds from?

NSCN (IM) funds were contributed by Naga civil societies who were financially sound in the very
beginning, like similar insurgent outfits in the area, collects “taxes” from the people in Nagaland and
other “Naga-inhabited areas” on a regular basis. The GPRN has an annual budget of Rs 250-Rs 300
million. Intelligence reports also say that it collects portions of extorted funds of other outfits of the
region in lieu of training, arms supply and shelter. Intelligence reports also say it earns money through
narcotics trade. With an army of about 4,500 men, top NSCN(IM) leaders live outside India, mostly in
Southeast Asian countries like Thailand. It also had camps in Bangladesh and Myanmar, but most cadres
have shifted to designated camps in Nagaland after it signed a ceasefire agreement with the
Government of India on August 1, 1997. Leaders and supporters are said to have business interests in
Myanmar, Thailand, Bangladesh and other countries. Its headquarters have also shifted to Camp Hebron
in Nagaland.

Has the Centre ready to solve Nagas issues with the NSCN leadership?

The Final Settlement of Indo-Naga peace talk:

Firstly: Indo-Naga political negotiation is still on the process; Indian, Mr. Modi Led NDA govt. give free
hand (accept complete sovereignty) to R.N Ravi to solve the Naga political Issues through Prime-Minister
Office, and Indian understand the unique history of Nagas and our demand for independence nation,
and other 33+ points demanded by NSCN. However, no ruling party of India will not give 100%
sovereignty to Nagas (NSCN), Kashmir, ALFA in Assam, Khalistan in Punjab, Tamilian in Tamil Nadu, or
other parties/Groups (Maoist & Naxalite) for some reasons. As for Nagas, the demands of “sovereignty
& integration” are the major problem for Indian. For "integration" they have very serious concern about
state boundaries demarcation in this sensitive region of Northeast. However, they will try their best to
work in parliament when they have majority in Raja Sabha under Arts 3 of Indian constitution. On the
other hand, giving "sovereignty" to NAGAS will be one of the major challenges to national security treat
from North-eastern part of the country by China, Burma, Bangladesh, Koreas and other countries to
India. The Naga leaders understand their problems. Thereby, the best solution can be work out; when
both-side sacrifice something in order to come to the point, at “Share-sovereignty” (interdependent),
which means co-existence with India. This is the point where they have signed as an agreement.

Secondly; we have long way to go for negotiation, probably yes! Mr. Th Muiva comes to Naga homeland
to concert the Naga people for the final agreement. On the other hand RN Ravi will be negotiating to all
NPGs, shareholder and civil society, and NSCN IM should open their arm with olive branch to welcome
all NPGs, Shareholder, Naga civil society for the greater interest of Naga people. The final settlement can
be working out within this year, only if civil society and all NPGs come to the point on an agreement. But
“Future is unpredictable…

Finally: as a concern citizen, I have been thinking about for “Final Settlement”. We all know that final
settlement is not an easy task for both sides but we can work out through understanding (it's not
impossible). There are three main problems which is stuck the way to reach our final settlement, they
are:

1. Government of India will never give complete sovereignty to any parties in her territory at present
political scenario. And in the UN general assembly they will not recognized Naga as Nation in the present
context because Nagas are not attain the character of nationhood in many ways. And they not
encouraging asking for complete independent from any country in 21st century, because the modern-
state is not totally independence but it’s inter-dependence to each other. However, there will be time to
gain our Naga Nation after some year.

Suggestion: The solution for this problem can be solve under the ideas of “share sovereignty, 80%” for
30 years accept share military and foreign affair for time being (review the agreement after every 30
years).

2. Integration is totally opposed by (congress) opposition party and neighboring state like Assam,
Manipur, Arunachal, Some Nagas and Burmese Govt.

Suggestion: A good will mission will be sending out to all neighboring state based on Nagas’ historical
right, moral right, individual/personal interest of right, human right, legal right and a right under
understanding to bring the reasonable and permanent solution for Naga people. We need constitutional
meant and political meant to solve this issue.

3. Nagas are divided based on: the factionalism, tribalism, regionalism, and personal egos, divide the
whole Nagas into pieces.

Suggestion: integrations of all Nagas ancestral land, reconciliation of all factions under one government,
giving up personal interest and egos but respecting the general interest of whole Nagas or respecting
national interest for the sake of Naga motherland. The religious leaders of various tribe should reach out
other tribe in some form like pulpits exchange and the political leaders, student leaders, frontal
organization should step-up to settle this problem.

Lastly, let the visionary leaders and the best men/women lead the Naga nation without any biasness in
selection our leaders through Naga democratic meant. And I request the Naga leaders to keep the
people' interest in top priorities.

Kuknalim.