16 August 2023
It is with great honor and solidarity that the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation joins Naga people on this significant occasion, marking the 77th anniversary of Naga’s declaration of independence. As we reflect on this pivotal moment in history, we are reminded of the resilience and tenacity that have shaped the Naga people’s struggle for self-determination.
August 14, 1947 is a day etched into the annals of courage and fortitude. The Naga people, who have fought tirelessly for their freedom since the British colonization, united under the Naga National Council to assert their sovereignty – just one day prior to India’s official declaration from British rule.
However, this momentous occasion was cut short when the Indian government forced its occupation over Nagaland. With the eventual enactment of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) 1958, another dark chapter unfolded, institutionalizing atrocities against the Naga people.
Amidst the escalating call and fervent movement for Naga liberation in the 1950s, the Indian armed forces continued to occupy the land, imposing political and social suppression, leading to grievous human rights violations upon its people.
Today, violations against the Indigenous Peoples’ rights of the Naga people haunt the land. They endure a relentless ordeal of constant fear and trauma. Their homes and granaries are vandalized if not burned. Their churches desecrated, converted into concentration camps. The heinous abuse and dehumanization of their women and daughters further compound the anguish they bear.
It is horrific to witness the persistence of impunity and violence, but it only fuels our collective resolve to stand in solidarity with the Naga people in their struggle for justice and recognition of their rights to ancestral lands and self-determination as Indigenous Peoples.
From the 1947 declaration to today’s growing collective movements for indigenous people’s liberation, the Naga struggle for justice, rights, and freedom remains steadfast. It is truly a testament to the unwavering spirit of a people who have faced colonization and oppression head-on. We pledge the highest honor to the sacrifices of the countless brave souls who dared to dream of a better future.
Today, as we look to the horizon of hope, the IPMSDL and network firmly stand united in our call for the full reclamation of Nagaland by the Naga people, where genuine peace and the full enjoyment of indigenous peoples’ rights flourish.
We call for the Indian government to cease its military operations against Naga. We urge the international community to justly intervene against these violations and recognize the rights of the Naga people as defined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, encompassing their political, social, economic, and religious freedoms.
We join our voices with many of those around the globe who advocate for a world where human rights are respected, and indigenous peoples’ rights are upheld with the utmost dignity.
We extend our unwavering solidarity with the Naga people. We will continue to amplify your voices, to spread your stories of struggle and fight for genuine development and lasting peace. Through unity and solidarity, we march forward to a better future for Indigenous Peoples and all those who face oppression.
Kuknalim! (Victory to the land!)
Long live Naga independence
Long live international solidarity.
Source: https://www.ipmsdl.org/statement/kuknalim-long-live-naga-independence/
