The fact that Nagaland remains independent cannot be altered nor could it be distorted. She was/is never conquered either by India or Burma. Neither Nagas ever joined either of them by consent and our history clearly stands to effect up to the moment. We have defended her unsparingly with unprecedented sacrifices of life and wealth in the past half a century. We shall defend her all the more until things are settled and we get back all that is our’s. In short, Nagas fought against every invasion and that is their history. On this account of safeguarding the dearest cause of the inalienable motherland’s freedom Nagas are viciously termed, ‘rebels’, ‘hostile’, ‘gangsters’, ‘savages’, ‘miscreants’, ‘bloddmongers’, ‘insurgents’, ‘secessionists’, ‘separatists’, ‘extremists’, ‘terrorists’ and what not!

But Nagas are absolutely none of the names called. They are proud people most averse to domination of whatever sort over them. They have their history of free existence from time immemorial. They are zealous; they see glory in defending their free existence, their sweet homes, their social order and principle of life. They do not kow-tow, nor do they accept terms below their self-respect. They are opposed to leading a life without a cause accepting all that is brought before them. They simply do not permit living in fear and confusion either. They are decided for what is in store for them. Freedom is embraced above all that the world could afford. Freedom to decide their own is too dear to part with. Therefore, they choose nothing except the truth they know. Thanks, most profoundly they have percieved the secret that reality can only be attained in freedom, for, to them, life and the world are void without freedom. And one sees nothing beyond it. This is our finest piece of philosophy. Oh Nagaland, in thy cause do we see the beauty of truth and the meaning of life! The world talk of their riches and might, but we of thee, the gift of the Maker; and of thy posterity, our dearest, to give our all that we may be worthy of setting the right way to life and salvation for them. They sing of the grandeur of the Niagara falls and we praise it, but, to us, nothing is more beautiful than the bamboo homes on the ranges. How happy it is to be a soldier of the cause! Yes, we will not sully the good name of a patriot.

Nagas are neither separatists nor are they seccessionists as maliciously termed by the Indians and elsewhere, for question of secession or separation comes only when there is or there has been a union. But Nagas, as it has been substatiated beyond dispute, had not participated in the union of India since the time of its formation in 1950. What is more, Nagas were never subjugated either by India or Burma at any stage of time till today. These are historical facts. Therefore, ours is a clear case of resistance against the naked invasion of Nagaland by India and Burma. The picture of being separatist or secessionist has been painted out by the Indians to malign the purity of the Naga people being independent from time immemorial, and to confuse the outside world.

The latest desparate version of the Indians has branded the Nagas ‘terrorists’. It is deliberately used in their every-day bid to win the backing of the West and the world. But how far they will join forces with the Indians so long as it is nothing els than an ill-motivation and absurdity? It may not be an easy calculation. The factual record of the past forty years speaks volumes for the integrity of the Nagas in this respect of the present days’ world-wide concern. Unlike the Indians, Nagas believe in the power of truth and not in the crime of terrorism. They are responsible; they keep themselves clear of the evil bar in spite of the trying forty years of temptation to retaliate on Indian and Burmese civilians. Nagas talk sense when they say “freedom is not in terrorism”. Although to hold oneself and be just under various circumstances is too hard a principle, NSCN abided by it all throughout the bitter confrontation they had. Upon our conscience, we say we are totally against any killing of innocent people whoever he or she may be. Our conscience is clear. We are persuaded: Our greatest enemy is our own transgression if there would be any and if we do not check ourselves and make a clean breast of it. Therefore, with all their might we are not scare of the adversaries within and without, for the end of Nagaland is on no account in their hands. It is in God’s hand. We are prepared to face any eventuality but by no means the curse of shedding innocent blood. No, our nation will not be quilty on this count! God forbid. Therefore, behind us we shall leave no crime to be inherited. Few instances are cited hereby that sensible people may understand what we are saying:

• On March 27, 1956, 78 Indian police personnel captured in an outpost attack at Satakha were released unharmed.
• On August 26, 1960, an Indian Air Force Dakota plane engaged in dropping arms and ammunition to the Indian troops at Bor outpost was shot down. And all the nine air crew captured were later released.
• Three Assam Rifle personnel captured from Peshao Post attack on 12th April 1978 were released.
• Two Bihar Regiment personnel captured from Konu Post attack on 24th February 1980 were released.
• On 28th November 1986, Phek treasury convoy was immobilized and captured in an ambush. Every wounded captive was administered first aid and treated with humanity.
• Two Assam Rifles personnel captured at Kachouphung on 15th March 1987 were released.
• 30 Para military personnel pinned down at Kamjong Post attack on 23rd Aril 1987 were set free.
• On July 9, 1987, Naga Army surrounded and stormed the notorious 21 Assam Rifles Company Headquarters at Oinam. Nine resisting quarter guards were killed in the battle. But the rest disarmed campers were let go unharassed.
• On January 2, 1993 a post of paramilitary force at Churachandpur was captured and disarmed. But all the 20 captives were set free unharmed.
• On January 17, 1993 Naga Army stormed and disarmed a platoon post of 8 Battalion Manipur Rifles at Tengnoupal. Post commander Mukta Singh and his concubine lost their lives while attemting to flee from the camp. But all the rest personnel were disarmed and were later left behind unharmed.
• On 10, July, 1993 an out post Paramilitary (NAP) at Pughoto was taken without a single casualty. All the 50 disarmed NAP personnel were set free unharmed.
• A Company HQ. of B. Coy. 6 Battalion NAP at New Beisumpui was taken by our forces without firing a single shot on 16 Nov., 1993. All the 150 disarmed personnel including Asstt-Commandant were let go unharmed.

Are these acts signs of terrorism or savagery? What is more, believe it or not, there is not a single case of an innocent Indian or Burmese civilian having been tortured or killed by the Nagas. All these are clearly known to the Indians themselves. In what way, then, Nagas are terrorists? What do they mean by the term ‘terrorist’? It is wise to maintain standard. On the other hand, what is cetral to the recent perpetration of inhuman excesses between different communities, particularly between the Indian-backed nomadic Kukis and brought-to-bay indigenous Naga public is ‘Indian State Terrorism’. To divert the world’s focus on her flagrant violation of human rights and with a view to branding the Naga revolutionary freedom fighters as terrorists, she feverishly attempted to put the blame squarely on the unblemished NSCN. But realities have been substantiated with hard evidence to show that all allegations are absolutely baseless, wild and vicious. NSCN is above any streak of terrorism and we shall never be one either in the days to come.

It is a pity that both Indians and Burmese never teach themselves in spite of their exalted claim in moral conceptions. What a proportion of state terrorism you committed in the free Homeland of the Nagas ! What a genocide of innocent public you perpetrated indiscriminately! What a number of helpless people you tortured to death, in villages, concentration camps and in jails! We are at a loss for words to describe your heinous crimes. Are not all these acts of terrorism or genocide through which you sought to make the Nagas and others Indians/Burmese? You can never get away with the crime of your state terrorism, much as you try. Your notorious “Armed Forces Special Power Acts” will remain indelible in the annals of inhumanity. According to our record more than a hundred and fifty thousands were killed in the ten years of 1954-1964 alone. What a number to be added since then till these days? Taking advantage of Nagaland being sandwiched by hostile nations, your restriction to the acces of information, right from the start of your invasion is but only a sign of fear of your endless naked state terrorism being revealed. We tell you: Justice begins not in hypocracy but at home. Clean your compound before pointing your accusing finger to the well-behaved neighbours. Stop your aggression and state terrorism. It is now nearly half a century that Nagas had endured your towering crimes without resorting to reprisal against your civilians. It will be too great a mistake if this standard of forbearance is construed to mean as a sign of weakness. Conscience forbids waiting for the worst to happen. But there is limit to everything too. It is high time you realize where to get off. It won’t help the world either, to dismiss the pain of such tolerance as something unworthy of being concerned about, knowing that Nagas have the potentials to give a befitting retaliation. We believe the great men of today who talk of the fate of humankind in high places will not fail to appreciate the justice we have done to the cause of humanity. In this connection, Nagas are greatly indebted to the Human Rights Organization for the unique service they rendered in this part of the world. Their unrivalled courage against inhuman cruelties of the notorious Burmese and Indian armed forces deserved the highest praise. Had it not been by their intervention things would have taken the worst turn. Many thanks. However, it must be said that the report they published falls too short of the actual atrocities take place; it is only a tiny fraction of the lot. We believe they will do the fairer if approach is made with a greater regard for facts. We are convinced their work will not belie the hope of humankind.