India uses Kukis to fight a proxy war against Nagas

During my childhood, my mother used to tell the story of how Tangkhul Naga villages-such as Ngahui, Chingjaroi and Chingsui (where the Tangkhul Naga ethnic group has significant presence)-were plundered by nomadic Kuki marauders. Villagers were massacred.

- NAMRATA BIJI AHUJA

How did your growing-up years shape your vision for Naga people?

The British tried to colonise Naga village-states using mercenaries. They armed the nomadic Kukis. They arrested and hanged Haipou Jadonang, a patriotic Naga leader from the Rongmei tribe, for resisting British rule. "Son," my mom said, "you must know the history of your people."

In 1964, soon after my post-graduation, I joined the Naga national resistance movement. I was elected general secretary of the Naga National Council, a post that was lying vacant after the demise of T. Sakhrie. But, a decade later, as the authorities at the helm of affairs signed the treasonous Shillong Accord on November 11, 1975, betraying the Naga national principle, the committed patriots parted ways from the traitors. Consequently, confrontations between the committed patriots and the reactionary traitors broke out, which finally resulted in the formation of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) in 1980. NSCN was approved and mandated by the Naga national assembly. In the assembly, Isak Chishi Swu was elected chairman of the organisation; S.S. Khaplang was elected vice chairman, and I was elected general secretary. NSCN is now recognised by the government of India, Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization and many other sympathiser countries.

Recognising the unique history and political position of the Nagas, the government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the historic Framework Agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagalim on August 3, 2015. It took us 50 years to come to this agreement which recognises Naga sovereignty.

Q What does Naga national identity mean to you today? Why is it essential for Nagas to have their own flag and constitution?