The NSCN (IM) has reiterated that the Naga national struggle is centred on the sovereignty of Nagalim, while making a fresh appeal for unity and reconciliation among the Naga people irrespective of territorial boundaries.

In a statement issued by its MIP, the group said the Naga people had been engaged in a struggle for more than seven decades to “liberate Nagalim” and restore what it described as Naga sovereignty. It maintained that the objective was to establish “Nagalim for Christ” and said the organisation continued to uphold Naga national principles with the support and prayers of the Naga people.

The NSCN/GPRN asserted that the Nagas are “one people” and said there should be no distinction between “Eastern Nagalim” and “Western Nagalim”. It alleged that Naga ancestral territories were arbitrarily partitioned in 1953 between India and Myanmar, which it described as “adversarial forces”.

Calling for Naga unity in pursuit of what it termed the common cause, the group said peace and reconciliation among Nagas were essential for the future. It stated that it would continue pursuing reconciliation among Naga groups and people.

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The NSCN/GPRN further alleged that forces opposing Naga unity, reconciliation and a political solution based on historical and political rights were acting as “the mouthpiece and creation of our common enemy”. It said such opposition would eventually “wither away” and that the nature of such forces would be revealed over time.

Reflecting on the Naga struggle, the organisation said the people were products of their history but should not become “prisoners” of it. It called for lessons to be drawn from past mistakes and urged Nagas to move forward collectively rather than allowing past failures to determine their future.

The group said it would continue to seek peace but stressed that it would not accept what it described as “capitulation”, calling instead for “peace in freedom”.

The statement concluded with an appeal to all Naga people and “comrades in arms”, irrespective of what it termed imaginary boundaries, to come together as “one family, one people, and one nation”.