The Business Association of Nagas (BAN) has condemned the recent threat issued by NSCN/GPRN (Khango) to the Proprietor of KKB Rülho. The Association considered such actions as unacceptable in a civilized society and merit serious scrutiny.
“The accountability of all organizations, including NSCN/GPRN(Khango), must be addressed with the same rigor applied to Government activities. It is imperative that NSCN/GPRN (Khango) provides a comprehensive account of its actions over the years. Just as the Government is accountable to the people, so too must every organization be held to the same standard. No entity is above the law, and transparency is essential for the public’s trust and welfare,” stated the BAN.
Despite verbal assurances from successive governments, the Association asserted that tangible action remained scarce. It blamed the stagnancy of Nagaland’s growth potential due to poor infrastructure, insecurity, multiple taxation and electoral malpractices.
“We are at risk of sacrificing the future of our younger generation unless urgent corrective measures are implemented. This development portrays reality of Nagaland today where there are many governments to impose tax upon its own people on one hand but no government to provide security to her agents of development in other hand,” stated the Association.
It also viewed that despite the ceasefire between Naga armed groups and the Indian armed Forces, there is an absence of peace in the minds of the people. This was not the Naga people’s dream for freedom struggle, expressed BAN.
“In the face of threats and intimidation, the state’s silence raises serious concerns about the direction we are heading. If the government fails to protect its citizens, the necessity of its existence comes into question. The dire state of our economy, one of the lowest in the country, is a direct result of these compounded issues,” asserted the Association.
BAN expressed that no individual or organization should be allowed to impose their rules on the people, and that it is crucial for the Naga people to uphold God’s promise to work and eat.
“We refuse to let our younger generation inherit an economy and society marred by fear and stagnation. Our state, with its rich Christian heritage and peace-loving populace, deserves better. We must strive to create an environment that allows the next generation to thrive,” affirmed the BAN.
Retrospecting the Naga’s history, from the head-hunting days to the struggles for independence and internal unrest, the BAN acknowledged the legacy of sacrifice and resilience. It asserted that this legacy demands the need to act responsibly and ethically to ensure a brighter future for all Naga people.
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“It is our collective duty to uphold the values of our ancestors and prevent further decline. Let us be clear that when we don’t understand our History, we destroy our future. This statement expresses our firm condemnation of the threats, underscores the need for accountability, and calls for collective action if we have to secure a safe place for our younger generation,” asserted the Association.
The Association also highlighted concerns that needs immediate clarification from the stake holders:
- Concerns Regarding CFMG/CFSB: What is the Ceasefire Monitoring Group/Ceasefire Supervisory Board (CFMG/CFSB) doing to address the ongoing death threats happening under their watch? Are they In any way in connivance for these incidents? It is imperative to scrutinize the role of the ceasefire monitoring cell, especially given the numerous extortion cases occurring under their full knowledge.
- Mandate of NPGs: The Naga people have not given any mandate to any Naga Political Group (NPG) to issue death sentences to fellow Nagas for not meeting their illegal demands. The original idea of Naga Independent is to secure ourselves from imposition of Indian taxes and alien cultures and political control. It is, therefore, unthinkable that Naga political group(s) impose unbearable taxes upon the same people for whom they are claimed to be fighting for political freedom. This is in total contradiction to our political commitment and aspirations.
“As time passes without any tangible Naga political settlement at sight, we are disappointed to see our Naga political group deviating from the principle and objectives of Naga National freedom movement and making themselves unbecoming of freedom fighters as the world watches us. We, as a local business community, always expect patriotic support and political leadership from our National political groups towards the growth and development of our land so that our children live a productive and peaceful lives in dignity in near future,” added BAN.
It, therefore, demanded that the group responsible for issuance of capital punishment to the Proprietor of KKB Rülho withdraw the pronouncement and rather take a new positive path in promoting Naga businessmen and entrepreneurs as fellow partners and citizens in fighting for the Naga cause.
