Kohima, Jan. 2: The National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) today said the Naga peace process has not yet reached the threshold of hammering out solutions to the 60-year-old political problem with the Centre.

In his New Year message, NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Chishi Swu said Nagas have come a long way since the signing of the ceasefire agreement with the Centre in 1997, but have not yet reached the doorstep of achieving their goals.

He called upon all sections of Naga people to participate in the struggle to fulfil their aspirations.

“Absolute and blind obedience to the laws imposed on us by our oppressors is destruction of one’s own liberty, conscience and reason. We have to seek the truth and live by it, only then can we be truly liberated,” Swu said.

He also said only liberated people can serve the nation without fear.

The Naga rebel leader also called for freedom from the yoke of separation.

He said Nagas could no longer allow petty differences to keep them apart and not claim what is rightfully theirs.

For too long, Nagas have allowed their adversaries to take advantage of their shortcomings, Swu said.

“We can no longer let them implement their divide and rule policies on us.”

Swu also urged the Nagas to contribute in whatever way they could to smoothen the ongoing reconciliation and complete the process and to pledge their solidarity to the ongoing political negotiations.

He said the NSCN was formed upon the principles and teachings of Jesus Christ, as the Nagas were looking for “His glory” in the liberation of Nagalim (Nagaland).

“In the journey of our political struggle, many floods and storms have occurred and affected the national workers and Nagas in general, yet we have not been swept off the foundation,” he said.

He also said the NSCN has stood firm and remained steadfast to their principles.

“In the midst of difficulties, sometimes through human weaknesses and through temptations, the feeling of God’s presence may be clouded and obscured, but God remains the same and we are still in the hands of God,” the chairman of NSCN said.

The outfit has also condoled the demise of Phil Estmonde, a senior member of Quaker, a world-renowned peace group from the UK, which had played a major role in brokering peace among Naga factions.

Estmonde died in Sri Lanka on December 27.

Swu said the Nagas have lost a great human being and a peace-loving person.

“He was a peace activist and a great facilitator of reconciliation with a humble heart. He was one of the active members of the forum for Naga reconciliation, which saved the life and blood of many Naga people,” he added.

The rebel leader said Estmonde’s name would always be etched in the history of Nagas struggle for liberation through peaceful means.