Subir Ghosh: The Kuki-Naga clash will never end it seems. What do you think your role is in this context? What is your assessment of this issue?
Thuingaleng Muivah: The so-called Kuki-Naga clash is a pure and simple creation of the Indian government. It is an utterly miscalculated venture since the sole motive behind it is to make the Kukis fight against the Nagas. What a proxy war! But, expecting what? And, from whom? However, most of the Indian Press took sides with the Kukis and ran unprofessional and biased accounts of the conflict against the Nagas. Yet, in spite of this scheme of the Indian government, the NSCN never encouraged the Naga people to kill the Kukis. Were it not for the Indian government policy, Nagas and Kukis would have lived together in peace and tranquility. Now, the solution to the issue hinges on the Indian government.
Subir Ghosh: The biggest allegation against all militant organisations, including the NSCN, is about extortion. What do you have to say about it? Is this ethical?
Thuingaleng Muivah: You are right that allegations of extortion are often made against us. It is not wrong altogether. Some of the unruly elements and dropouts from our ranks sometimes get out ofhand and do unwanted things. There is no dennying the fact. This is, however, against the NSCN policy. But, this is not the whole story either. The greater fact is that gangs are also operating under the Naga Youth Liberation Front and The Ninth Brigade, organised by the puppet chief minister of Nagaland, SC Jamir. Most of the extortions are done by these gangs. These crimes are readily blamed on us. In fact, they are opposed by the NSCN. Apart from this, the Khaplang gang, solely supported by SC Jamir are carrying on extortions on a large scale. These are facts which the government of India knows well.
Thuingaleng Muivah: Human rights organisations deal with violations of the rights of innocent people. And, it is of no surprise to know that they fights against the atrocities committed by the armed forces of India on the innocent Naga people. How many innocent Nagas have been brutally victimised by the Indian forces on this and that unfounded killing? Killing or torture of innocent people on suspicion is opposed everywhere and this constitutes serious violation of human rights. Thus, an attempt to justify it is against humanity. Indian soldiers occupying Nagaland are killed by the Naga Army. It is Army to Army, combatant to combatant.
Thuingaleng Muivah: Any organisation, so long as it does what it is meant for, will be beneficial to the society. But, when it betrays the principles and goes beyond, it becomes harmful. The Baptist Church leaders in the past were totally manipulated against the people and the nation. It is a pity that church leaders left behind such a trail of disgrace. A lot of Indian manipulation is also going on in the so-called Naga Hoho and, as such, they often come out holding the wrong end. We are sorry to know it. It has to prove its worth.
Thuingaleng Muivah: Puppet politicians have their own interests. We have nothing to do with them. We have received nothing from Rishang Keishing and vice versa. We do not depend on anyone except on the people and on ourselves. We go our own way: there is no meeting point.
Thuingaleng Muivah: We would rather treat this question as outdated. For a decade now, SCJamir has been fully taking sides with Khaplang with all the means at his disposal. He financed Khaplang and his group with crores of rupees, he has equipped them with sophisticated arms. He has also been actively helping them with logistics. Khaplang’s offices are functioning from the houses of the puppet ministers. All the money provided by the Indian government is divided among the ministers with Jamir taking the lion’s share. Where is the Rs 133 crore for the “peace offensive”? How much has Jamir gained? How much has ended up with Khaplang?
