Integration imbroglio

NSCN (K) leader K. Mulatanu drops a bombshell by claiming that the Naga people do not support the demand of integration.

North East News Agency

DAYS ahead of the crucial talk between Government of India and Issac-Muivah faction of National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN – IM), which is slated to take place mid-May where in all probability the issue of integration of Naga inhabited areas will figure prominently, the Khaplang faction of the NSCN dropped a bombshell by claiming that the demand has no connection with the Naga issue.

In an exclusive interview with North East News Agency at a posh south Delhi joint, K. Mulatanu, leader of the Khaplang faction of NSCN, who was in the capital in connection with the ceasefire extension, lambasted NSCN (IM) for undermining the real Naga issue.

Excerpts of the interview:

North East News Agency: What is the main demand of NSCN (K)?

Mulatanu: Our main demand is sovereignty. To be more precise, it is not the demand of NSCN (K) alone. It is the demand of Naga people. Nagas demand independence. We are not ready to compromise on this issue. Today or tomorrow we will achieve it. Those who are thinking about solving the Naga problem bypassing the issue of sovereignty are ignorant about the Naga problem. They are ignorant about Naga history, tradition and culture and the struggle. They are deliberately overlooking the issue to serve their narrow interests. I am confident that the Naga people will teach a lesson to these self imposed well wishers in due course of time.

NENA: Are you talking about NSCN (IM)?

Mulatanu: Certainly. They are the betrayers. It is not only me who is saying this. This is the view of the Naga people. The Naga people firmly believe that IM is raising the issue for their personal gains. The Naga people know it very well who the friends are and who the enemies are. Don’t worry Naga people are capable enough to tackle these elements.

NENA: The Centre at present is in the midst of a peace process. Talks are going on with NSCN (IM). Will you like to comment on the ongoing peace process?

Mulatanu: (Sarcastically) I wish both of them best of luck. (Then on a serious note) They are living in a fool’s paradise. As a matter of fact only the other day I told the Union Home Secretary exactly these things. The Centre along with NSCN (IM) will never be able to find a solution of the Naga problem. In fact the very decision to talk to negotiate with NSCN (IM) was a wrong one. If Government of India is sincere enough to solve the Naga problem, it should talk to Naga people, not with an organization that has no base in Nagaland.

NENA: That means you are not expecting anything substantial from this ongoing peace process?

Mulatanu: They are talking for the last nine years and what have they achieved? Has it made any substantial gains? Nothing. The present ceasefire is a complete failure.

NENA: If there is nothing to gain from the ongoing peace process, Why NSCN (K) is not talking to Government of India? You have only entered in to a ceasefire agreement. Don’t you want peace in Nagaland?

Mulatanu: We are not adverse of talking to Government of India. But first Government of India will have to prove it sincerity by opting out of the ongoing negotiations with NSCN (IM) and should declare the organization as a terrorist outfit. Only then, we will talk to Government of India.

Now coming to the second part of your question, yes we wholeheartedly want peace to make a comeback in Nagaland without sacrificing the interests of the Nagas.  

NENA: As you have stated that your main demand is sovereignty. What about the demand of integration? Is it on your agenda too?

Mulatanu: Certainly not. Integration is not in our agenda. In fact, it has no connection with the Naga problem. Those who are raising it are backstabbing the Naga movement. This is not the demand of the Nagas. Naga problem is totally different in nature. Naga problem is not so simple that addition of two or three villages will solve the problem. Muivah is raising it as he was never associated with the Naga struggle. This is his personal demand. He demands it for himself, for his personal pride. We, Nagas do not support this. Our first and foremost demand is sovereignty. Only after attaining that we will apply our mind to the issue of integration. Right now, this is not a part of Naga issue. If the Thankhuls have any problem, it is with the Meiteis. They should solve the problem between them. Don’t drag the Nagas in such matters.

NENA: You are talking about the wishes of Naga people. Majority of Nagas today are in favour of unification of various Naga underground groups. What is your comment?

Mulatanu: Muivah said that it would be based on principals. But we are firm that it should be on the basis of ideology. Muivah and his friends have deviated and discredited the Naga issue. They are nothing but terrorists. They have links with ISI, Al Quaeda. They have killed thousands of Nagas. Before talking about unification let them stop all terrorist acts and seek an apology for killing so many innocent Naga people. Only then it will be possible.

We can not accept Muivah as our leader because in that case we will also be branded as terrorists. We are freedom fighters. We hate terrorism.

NENA: But NSCN (K) is also involved in fratricidal killings. Is this not a terrorist act?

Mulatanu: They are killing us. We do not expect anything better than this as we know they are terrorists. More they are indulging in such acts, more and more people are joining NSCN (K).

 NSCN (K) is not involved in fratricidal battle. What we are doing is to punish the terrorists for their inhuman acts. That is the basic difference between NSCN (K) and NSCN (IM).

Here I want to make an appeal to every nation in the world which is fighting against terrorism. Do not confine your battle against terrorism to a particular organization. NSCN (IM) is equally responsible for the menace. It is the enemy mankind. The world will never be free from terrorism as long as NSCN (IM) exists.

NENA: According to NSCN (IM), NSCN (K) is a creation of the Government of India. What is your comment on that?

Mulatanu: Let them say whatever they like. No one believes them. Naga people are very much aware about the facts. They know the truth. Why don’t you ask NSCN (IM) that who met S. C. JAmir before the 1998 Assembly elections? Who helped NSCN (IM) to make an entry in Nagaland? Taking advantage of the ongoing ceasefire, NSCN (IM) with the help of the Indian security forces made several efforts to wipe us out. But by the grace of God and with the support of the Naga people, everytime we foiled their attempts. We do not act at the behest of any foreign agency. But they do. And to hide the fact NSCN (IM) blames us. More they will allege such things NSCN (K) will become more and more powerful. 

NENA: What the future holds for Nagaland?

Mulatanu: When Government of India started the peace process with NSCN (IM), many thought that NSCN (K) will become weak. But today the ground reality is different. We have gone from strength to strength. With the help of Indian Army, IM temporarily captured Mokokchung. But with the support of the Naga people, we have captured Tamelong and within next one month or so, we will capture Senapati too. These are not mere claims. Everyone knows it barring Government of India. That is why they are still negotiating with NSCN (IM).

If  the Government of India can solve the Naga problem in association with NSCN (IM) let them try for it. But the effort will come to a naught within next couple of months. Government of India has wasted nine precious years by going with the NSCN (IM). Let them spoil few more years. We are ready to wait. Because we know that to find an amicable solution of the Naga problem, Centre will have to come to NSCN (K). We are waiting for that day.

Nagas are for independence. We are not ready to compromise on this issue. Today or tomorrow we will definitely achieve it.

The IM reply

In a telephonic conversation with North East News Agency this is what NSCN (IM) spokesperson Kraibo Chawang has said about the charges brought against them by NSCN (K)

“NSCN (k) and NNC are all sponsored by Government of India to check the rise of NSCN (IM). They are given shelter in the camps by the Government of India in the parameters of the camps of the security personnel and then let loose to fight a proxy war with us. This shows that the Government of India is still playing with the Nagas.”

“What the NSCN (K) says is of little or no importance at all as they talk what the Government of India wants them to say. Integration is not a demand of IM or any other group. It is the aspiration & undeniable birth right of all Nagas. We are totally against the Shillong Accord and groups still sticking to it. We stick to 1951— the plebiscite conducted then & the concept of Naga sovereign state. For us the principle which matters most.”

“NSCN (IM) and all Nagas are looking  forward to the coming  round of talks. We are hopeful that Government of India will show prudence to make this round fruitful otherwise the whole peace process can fall flat. Ceasefire just for the sake of it without any progress in resolving the core issues has got no meaningat all.”

“We are openly supportive of the unity call given by Naga Hoho but as long as it meets the honest aspirations of the Naga people. But in the name of reconciliation we are not ready to shake hands with followers of Shillong accord or those who are puppets in the hands of the Indian union.”

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