Kohima, Dec 30 : Former president of Nagaland PCC and MLA K. Pusa said though imaginary boundaries have divided Naga people, they would still remain brothers and sisters.
Addressing the 48th annual general conference of Mao Students’ Union at Punanamei under Senapati district of Manipur, Pusa said imaginary lines have divided Naga people but that would not separate Nagas.
He said Mao Nagas are second to none in the Naga political struggle. No political boundary can wipe out the blood ties and kinship that “we have nurtured since the time of our ancestors”, the Congress leader told Mao students.
Mao Nagas are one of the biggest tribes of Manipur.
Pusa’s attending the Mao students’ conference assumed significance as Nagas of Manipur have severed all ties with the Manipur government in protest of what they alleged as step-motherly treatment to them.
Er. Vikho-o Yhoshu, MLA and adviser to Information Technology and Technical Education, also attended the conference as the guest of honour.
The Congress leader urged the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) to expedite the ongoing peace talks and hammer out an honourable and acceptable solution to all sections of Naga people. “We have been asking the Centre and the group engaged in the talks to expedite the talks for an honourable and acceptable solution for all, “he added.
However, he said unity would only bring desirable solution to the issue. He told the students not to lose heart but to be united. He said the unresolved Naga political problem is an issue stalking people since the post-British period.
“For too long we have refused to take responsibility for this protracted political mess that we are in. While we put the whole blame on the Centre, we also talk in different tunes. We try to bring down our own house by criticising one another, using filthy words against each other, generate feelings of holier than thou attitude and nurture conflicting opinions,” he said.
Pusa said Nagas lack sincerity and direction and as a result there is no short or long-term strategy to move towards unification and integration based on the collective will of the people. He urged Mao people to come forward and lead the Nagas. “Your progress is our progress; your move is our move.”
Yhoshu in his short speech said Nagas have been divided into parts without their consent and knowledge, by the foreign powers and urged the Nagas to rise above boundaries and barriers. “Together let us face the truth.”
Samson Remei, president of United Naga Council of Manipur who was also guest of honour, while paying a tribute to the fallen students of the May 6 Mao gate incident, urged people to follow their paths.
They were gunned down by police for protesting against the Manipur government’s decision not to allow NSCN (I-M) general secretary Th. Muivah to visit Ukhrul district.
He urged Mao Nagas to fight for their identity and culture.
Remei also appealed to Nagas of Nagaland to support the cause of the Nagas of Manipur for a separate administrative unit.
He said Nagas of Manipur have taken a strong decision to sever all ties with the government of Manipur.
We cannot be under the communal government of Manipur he said.
We will lose our identity as long as we remain with the communal government he lamented. He also thanked the people of Nagaland for understanding the issues and problems of the Nagas of Manipur.
Earlier, the students, prominent leaders and officers from Mao Naga tribe gave the chief guest a warm reception.
Pusa was also accompanied by hosts of public leaders from Kohima and from his village Viswema.