Naga Youth Movement submits memorandum PM

•    Reiterates call for ending stalemate
•    For unification and transparency 
•    Says movement is neutral & inclusive

‘Movement reflects shared frustration of the youth’

Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 9

The Naga Youth Movement submitted the memorandum that was announced at the June 27 rally to the Government of India. Initially addressed to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the youth movement told a press conference in Dimapur, on July 9, that they readdressed it to the Prime Minister. The document was submitted to the Nagaland Governor on July 8 to be forwarded to the Prime Minister’s Office. 

The memorandum essentially called for resolving the stalemated Indo-Naga political issue by consolidating the contents of the Framework Agreement and Agreed Position the GoI has signed, respectively, with the NSCN (IM) and the Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC, NNPGs). While it reiterated the 3-month deadline it announced earlier, it demanded transparency in the political process, and the unification of all Naga Political Groups onto one single platform. The three-month time-frame started on July 8. 

It said, “We urge the Government of India to issue a clear and official clarification on its position regarding the two signed agreements. Further, the Government must disclose the specific roadblocks impeding the implementation process, so that the Naga people are made aware of the cause of delay and the path to resolution.” 

Kuhoto Naga the movement will not sit down quietly if the GoI keeps sitting on the two agreements. He said, “If the Government of India fails to act, we will have no choice but to initiate civil disobedience and non-cooperation movements.” 

While the movement took shape as ‘Fed-Up Nagas,’ a nomenclature that reflected a shared and pervasive frustration prevailing today, they said that it has transitioned to become known as The Naga Youth Movement. According to them, the nomenclature was changed to reflect a more inclusive, structured, and mature approach. They asserted that the delay in implementing the signed agreements has given way to growing distress among the youth, leaving their future in darkness.

“Our position is neutral and inclusive. We want to clarify again and again that we are not against any of the signatories,” said Hiketo Naga, a core member of the movement. 

They also sought to clarify doubts over the funding of the movement, stating that the allegations of sponsorship by people with vested interests as groundless misconceptions designed to discredit their cause. “The sad part is that we are being labeled as funded or sponsored by so many people, but where is the proof or evidence?” posed Hiketo. On the contrary, he said that the movement is entirely self-organised, and being sustained on voluntary individual contributions.

Ninoto Naga added that the movement has maintained absolute transparency by making its objectives entirely public from the beginning.

They issued a general cautioning against entertaining elements that might take advantage of the movement and come seeking donations on their behalf. “If you believe our movement is right and wants to support us, please approach us directly,” they said, while adding that any donation from well-wishers will be accounted for transparently. 

Regarding the absence of the NSCN-IM and Naga tribal organisations at the June 27 rally, Hiketo maintained that the movement remains a mass Naga Youth Movement free of any political influence either of the NPGs or the Central or state government. 

Idizeung Naga stated that several public leaders could not attend owing to prior commitments. He added that they nevertheless expressed solidarity to the movement. He regarded the turnout at the June 27 rally as beyond expectations, stating that they had only expected around 100-200 people. 

The movement further clarified a controversial comment about the possibility of prolonged frustration driving the youth to “taking up arms.” Replying to a query about the comment, Hiketo said, “The comment was not a call to violence. It was spoken out of sheer emotional frustration to highlight the worst-case scenario if the Government of India continues to ignore the peaceful demands of our youth.”

Kuhoto reiterated that the movement is committed to democracy and peaceful means, asserting, “We are not ready to take arms.” To the naysayers, he said that they are not averse to the prospect of cooperating with detractors, provided they come up with a better idea, proposition or vision. He said that they will support it if it serves the intended cause.