The NSCN/GPRN’s Eastern Flank on Thursday announced the formation of a provisional government, declaring that it would continue both political and armed resistance in pursuit of what it describes as the “sovereign existence of the Naga nation”.

According to a statement issued by Additional Secretary, Edward Sayai, the decision was taken during an Extraordinary Joint Emergency Meeting of Civil National Workers and Naga Army officers of the NSCN/GPRN, Eastern Flank, held at Mt. Horeb Camp on July 21. The meeting was chaired by retired Lieutenant General Hs Ramsan.

The meeting resolved to renew its covenant under the slogan “Nagalim for Christ” and reaffirmed its commitment to uphold what it termed the Naga national principle for the sovereign existence of the Naga nation at all cost.

The group also declared as “null and void” expulsion orders issued against several senior leaders, including retired Lt Gen Hs Ramsan, Lt Gen A Raman, retired Lt Col Victor Angami, Ikato I Chishi Swu, Rev Vitovi Yeputho, Pamshang Zimik and Angyo Jingseya.

The group alleged that the expulsions were intended to silence veterans who opposed what it described as a compromise on the Naga political issue.

It further claimed that allegations against the expelled leaders were false and fabricated. “Those who have surrendered and yielded to the pressure of the Government of India (GoI) have no right to expel/terminate those who remain steadfast in striving for the sovereign existence of the Naga nation,” it stated.

The meeting strongly criticised the document referred to as the “Competencies”, submitted to the Government of India by the leadership of the NSCN/GPRN, alleging that it compromises the demand for Naga sovereignty by accepting a settlement within the framework of the Constitution of India. It claimed that the ‘competencies’ are also violation of the party’s manifesto chapter X (a). It also stated that the ‘competencies’ are violation of the Preamble of the Yehzabo.

Referring to the Naga peace process, the group alleged that the Government of India had effectively abandoned the spirit of the August 3, 2015 Framework Agreement by refusing demands related to a separate Naga flag and constitution. “Despite this ultimatum, the leadership at Hebron/Ghq continued to engage in the meaningless and endless talks with the compromised and surrendered ‘Competencies’ within the Union/Constitution of India,” it stated.

It also cited an earlier statement attributed to the organisation’s chief political negotiator, Th. Muivah, and claimed that the present leadership had failed to act upon it.

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On that basis, the meeting declared that the spirit of the ceasefire agreement no longer existed and announced that it would continue both political and armed resistance to safeguard the “sovereign existence of the Naga nation”.

To “save the nation from another surrender” and address what it described as the present crisis in the Naga political movement, the meeting announced the establishment of a “Provisional Government” until a full-fledged government is formed.

Ikato I Chishi Swu was entrusted to serve as Chairman of the Provisional Government, with retired Lt Gen Hs Ramsan, retired Lt Col Victor Angami, Lt Gen A Raman, Brig. Detail Dani and Angyo Jacob Jingseya as members. Ngaranmi Jagoi, Merry Ramsan and Rev. Vitovi Yeputho were named as advisors. The statement said the chairman, members and advisors would take an oath of allegiance administered by an ordained minister.

The group also called upon Naga national workers and the Nagas in general to join what it described as the “formation of a unified national government” based on the principles of the organisation’s founding leaders and spearhead the movement for the sovereign existence of the Naga nation.