Re: Separatist movements in India
Nagaland Wants Independence from India
Muthu Raman
TAMIL TRIBUNE, August 2005 (ID. 2005-08-02)
On August 14, 1947, the day before British colonial rulers transferred power to the governments of India and Pakistan, Nagas declared their homeland, Nagaland, independent. The new Indian Government did not recognize the declaration and sent its army to hold Nagaland as part of India. There has been a war between Indian troops and Naga freedom fighters from that time, with occasional ceasefires and peace talks. Indian army was never able to defeat Naga freedom fighters and there is stalemate. At the present time there is a ceasefire and Indian Government is holding talks with the dominant militant group, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah).
Earlier this year the General-Secretary of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah), Mr. Thuingaleng Muivah stated their position in an interview with British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and some local news media. Here are some salient points put forth by Mr. Muivah.
“Nagas would not accept occupation of Nagalim (Greater Nagaland) by any force.”
“Sovereignty of the Naga people belongs to the Naga people and to the Naga people alone. There cannot be otherwise. Nagas have a right to decide their future, to determine their fate also. So long as that is there adjustments can be made… So long as the national identity of the Nagas is recognized and honoured that is possible… It should be a federation of India and Nagalim.”