Speech of Ikato I Chishi Swu, Chairman of NSCN, Provisional Government, on the occasion of the 80th Naga Independence Day Celebration 14th August, 2026 at Mt. Horeb Camp.
Praise the Lord!
My beloved citizens of Nagalim and revolutionary comrades,
I greet you all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Today as we commemorate the 80th Naga Independence day, we do not simply observe a date. We honor a journey defined by faith, courage, sacrifice and unyielding commitment to the identity and political destiny of the Naga people.
As I address our nation for the first time as Chairman of the Provisional Government, I do so with profound humility and a deep sense of duty. This position is not a privilege but a sacred trust to be exercised in the spirit of service as taught by our Lord Jesus Christ. I accept this responsibility with integrity and devotion and under our covenant “Nagalim for Christ”. We shall advance with courage and faith.
To chart our future, we must first understand our past. In 1929, the Naga Club submitted a memorandum to the Simon Commission asserting that the Nagas should determine their own political future and revert to the independence they enjoyed prior to the British rule. On the eve of India’s independence the Naga National Council declared Naga independence on 14th August, 1947 proclaiming to the world that the Nagas were a free and independent nation. In 1951, the Naga Plebiscite was conducted in which an overwhelming 99.9% voted for an independent Naga nation.
These milestones constitute the political heritage bequeathed to us by our forefathers. We honor their courage and sacrifice and we thank God for sustaining our people through decades of uncertainty and hardships. Yet, our journey has also been marked by pain. Our movement has witnessed not only achievements but also conflicts, division and political setbacks most notably the 16 points agreement of 1960 and the Shillong Accord of 1975 which fractured our unity and altered the trajectory of our struggle. We must learn from these chapters – not to reopen wounds but to guide the future generations with wisdom of both sacrifice and error. The Nagas spirit has endured and so must our resolve.
Under the leadership of Chairman Isak Chishi Swu and. General Secretary Th. Muivah, we renewed efforts to resolve the Indo-Naga political conflict through dialogue. The Government of India eventually acknowledged that the issue was fundamentally political and could not be resolved militarily. The talks were conducted on three principles: 1. Talks without preconditions
2. Talks at the highest- Prime Ministerial Level
3. Talks in the 3rd country.
After following rounds of political dialogues, the government of India formally recognized the Unique History and Situations of the Nagas. This led to the historic Framework Agreement of 3rd August, 2015 signed between Government of India and the NSCN that was broadcasted worldwide. However the spirit of that agreement was undermined when the GOI imposed a three months ultimatum in 2019 insisting that further negotiations would cease if the Nagas continued to demand a separate flag and constitution. Consequently, the Hebron leadership under the GOI pressure, submitted competencies that fall within the jurisdiction of the Indian Constitution. A position that contradicts the Framework Agreement’s principles. The competencies also contradicted the 14th August, 1947 Naga Independence declaration and the subsequent 16th May, 1951 Naga Plebiscite which had expressed the Naga people’s political aspirations to determine their own future.
However, the Hebron leadership’s apparent acquiescence to prevailing authorities and competencies stands in contradiction to the principles affirmed by the 1951 Naga plebiscite and the historic position expressed on 14th August, 1947. Rather than steadfastly upholding these principles and the responsibilities entrusted to them, they appear increasingly preoccupied with celebrations and ceremonial occasions, while, the weight of their political duties and obligations are left unattended. Principles are meaningful only when they are upheld with conviction, responsibility and steadfast action. They must not become mere words remembered on occasions while the responsibilities they represent are set aside.
It is in response to this perceived betrayal and political compromise and in view of the threat to the sovereign existence of the Naga nation, the extraordinary joint meeting of Civil National Workers and the Naga Army Officers convened on the 21st of July, 2026 at Mt. Horeb Camp. Subsequently, the meeting unequivocally condemned the competencies submitted to the GOI by the Leadership of Hebron, NSCN. In the competencies the right for sovereign existence of the Naga nation is compromised and surrendered within the constitution of India.
Therefore, to save the Naga nation and to rescue the Naga political movement from its predicament, the joint meeting declared the establishment of a Provisional Government until a full-fledged government is formed. Therefore, I call upon all the Naga national workers in particular and the Nagas in general residing across the 120,000 sq.km of Naga homeland as well as the Naga diaspora all over the world to come and join for the formation of a unified national government that upholds the principle of the founding fathers and spearhead the movement till Naga sovereignty is restored. We should not remain passive while our political aspirations and agreements are undermined. Any further breach must be met with a strong united and organized response through political as well as armed resistance. We must be ready to defend our political rights with courage, unity and unwavering determination.
I also acknowledge the people of Eastern Nagalim and recognized their steadfast stand they have taken. We are grateful for their courage, conviction and commitment to the Naga common cause. I extend my sincere salute to them. Their principled stand deserves our respect and recognition.
If sovereignty resides with the people, then the constituent authority belongs first and foremost to the people. No government, leaders or organization can assume that authority merely by negotiation or representation. Negotiating authority may be delegated, administrative responsibilities may be assigned but the sovereignty of the people cannot be transferred without people’s explicit will. That is why the constitutional question is so vital.
The competencies proposed regarding to institution, administration, taxation, land and security must ultimately be measured against the principle that the people are the source of all political power. The 1951 plebiscite, however interpreted remains a powerful testament to this truth; the legitimacy of our national cause rest on the expressed will of the people.
My appeal today is not against any particular organization, leaders or group. It is to the entire Naga nation. We must resist the peril of permanent fragmentation. Our differences must never overshadow our common identity. Our political disagreements must never dismantle our unity and our pursuit of settlement must never compromise the dignity and aspirations of the Naga people.
We must advance with unity, wisdom and truth. A just and lasting settlement must command the confidence of the people whose future it shapes. Truth must prevail over convenience; public responsibility over personal ambition; accountability over secrecy and the nation above personalities, organizations or tribal affinities. Freedom is preserved not by sacrifices alone but by each generation’s willingness to protect what has been entrusted to it.
My beloved citizen of Nagalim,
We have inherited a history greater than any powers which are the legacy of sacrifice, hope and responsibility. Let us remain faithful to the vision, mission and purpose of God for the Naga nation to secure a rightful political future and also to our covenant with God, Nagalim for Christ. We must unite for the common Naga future. Let us learn from our mistakes without losing faith in our future. Let us be courageous without forsaking wisdom. Let us be steadfast without abandoning justice. Let us pursue our aspirations with the dignity and responsibility worthy of generational acknowledgement.
On this 80th Naga Independence Day, I pray that Almighty God will grant us the wisdom to distinguish truth from convenience, the courage to uphold national principle over immediate personal gain, the humility to replace the nation above ourselves and the faithfulness to preserve freedom and dignity for future generations.
May Almighty God unite and strengthen the Naga people in truth and in justice. May integrity and wisdom be the guide to our national leaderships and give our people the courage to remain faithful and May the course of our history be build ever stronger by our younger generation.
My beloved citizen of Nagalim,
Our journey has been rough and long; our confrontations to the enemies were many which were met with countless sacrifices yet, we endured. “Let our story be one of resilience, courage and unwavering unity in the face of every challenges”. Let us write its next chapter in unity not in division; with courage not in fear; in truth not with hatred; in service not with selfish purposes.
Above all, let us move forward with faith in God and faith in our people. May God bless the Naga people.
Kuknalim!
Ikato I. Chishi Swu
Chairman
NSCN – Provisional Government
