Mt. Horeb Camp, August 1 | EKHON: In his first major address as Longvibu, Commander-in-Chief of NSCN – Eastern Flank Lt. Gen. A. Raman-MM, MC, signaled a tougher stance for the Naga Army. He declared that “political as well as violent armed resistance” will continue until the Naga political issue is resolved on terms the group considers just.
He also accused the Government of India of betraying the 2015 Framework Agreement, alleged that the spirit of the 1997 Ceasefire Agreement had effectively ended, and publicly claimed that the order to assassinate former Arunachal Pradesh MLA Tirong Aboh had come from former Longvibu Gen. Anthony Ningkhan Shimray.
Addressing a felicitation programme at Mt. Horeb Camp, Lt. Gen. Raman said the Naga nation’s sovereignty remained “a sacred gift from God” and asserted that it could not be surrendered under external pressure. He criticised the prolonged Indo-Naga peace process, alleging that it had weakened the spirit of Naga nationalism rather than delivering a just political settlement.
Throughout his address, the new commander repeatedly called on Naga cadres to remain united and steadfast, warning against internal divisions while accusing sections of the Naga leadership of compromising with New Delhi. He maintained that the movement must continue to pursue its stated national objectives despite mounting political and military challenges.
The speech also included allegations regarding the 2019 killing of Arunachal Pradesh MLA Tirong Aboh. Lt. Gen. Raman claimed that the operation had been authorised by former Longvibu Gen. Anthony Ningkhan Shimray but that responsibility was later shifted onto subordinate soldiers, raising questions about accountability within the organisation.
The address marks one of the strongest public statements by the organisation’s new military leadership, signalling a more confrontational posture amid the continuing but unresolved Indo-Naga peace process. The Government of India has consistently maintained that it remains committed to resolving the Naga political issue through peaceful dialogue.
