Tributes and condolences pour in for Kaka D Iralu
Dimapur, April 10 (MExN): More people today mourned the demise of Kaka Dierhekolie Iralu, a prominent author and a leading voice of the Naga political movement, who passed away on Thursday evening.
In messages, they extended condolences to the family of the deceased and prayed for peace of the departed soul.
NNC: Gen (Retd) Viyalie Metha, Kedahge, Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) mourned the untimely demise of Alee Kilonser (Foreign Minister) Kaka D Iralu and extended condolences on behalf of the FGN.
Kaka D Iralu joined the Naga National service in 2015 as a Tatar with due recommendation and was inducted as a Kilonser without portfolio in April 2015 to carry out an intensive mission of the Naga Nation. He was then elevated into the portfolio of Alee Kilonser, Federal Government of Nagaland in January 2018, the condolence message stated.
“He was a true patriot. His untimely death was a great loss for the Naga people as a whole and a vacuum created to the Nation. Yet his true sacrifice and patriotic service rendered to the Nation shall always remain alive in the history of the Naga Nation,” it stated.
NSCN (IM): The NSCN (IM) acknowledged Kaka D Iralu as a sensible Naga national and said his death at this early age is a great loss for the Naga people.
“A man of strong integrity and commitment in voicing the Naga political movement, he exercised his intellectual power to defend the sovereign identity of the Naga nation and stood his ground unwavered,” a condolence message from the NSCN (IM) MIP stated.
“Notwithstanding our differences in political perspective, we respect his integrity in upholding the political struggle of the Nagas,” it said.
NSCN (R): Vice-President of NSCN(R) Akato Chophi stated that Kaka D Iralu was a prominent Naga historian, political leader and prolific author/writer who was “unbiased’ and always called a “spade a spade.”
In a message issued through the MIP, the NSCN(R) stated that “The late leader leaves behind his legacy as a dynamic political activist and a true social reformer for his fellow Nagas to cherish on.”
"In his demise, the Angamis in particular and the Nagas in general have lost a true and daring Naga leader, a frontrunner and a torchbearer whose place will be very difficult to be filled in,” it said.
TR Zeliang: Leader of Opposition TR Zeliang in his message eulogized Kaka D Iralu as “a patriotic soul, an intellectual and a man who stood for the Naga cause till his last breath.”
“Although his physical presence is no more, his books and commentaries on the Naga political issue and other state of affairs will live on to tell the story of a man who contributed so much during his lifetime,” he added.
PBCC: The Pochury Baptist Church Council (PBCC) reminisced that Kaka D Iralu who has written extensively on the Naga political history, was “a thinker, an orator, an author, a Naga nationalist to the core.”
While other Nagas have their own good reasons to remember “this great son of the soil”, it said, the Pochury people “will remember Kaka for being our voice to the world.” In his book “The Naga Saga” and other writings, Kaka has documented the suffering and sacrifice of the Pochury people in graphic detail, stated PBCC Executive Secretary Rev Rümatho Nyusou.
“Today, Kaka is no more with us and the thought of not having him around has saddened us. But the example of his commitment to the Naga cause and the unwavering courage he demonstrated in the face of all kinds of threat will inspire posterity to face the unknown future that awaits the Nagas,” it stated.
APO: The Angami Public Organisation (APO) remembered Kaka as “someone who contributed so much to the Naga National Movement,” and as an author that depicted the rights of Nagas.
“He is irreplaceable…and we, the Angami Public Organisation cannot express our sorrows with words,” it stated.
Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN): Describing Kaka D Iralu as a “well known scholar and a patriot who worked for the welfare of the downtrodden people not only in the Naga Society but also for the entire northeast,” Zeliangrong Baudi (AMN) President Athuan Abonmai said that Kaka “stood for the cause of the Nagas and its liberation till his last breath without any fear and bias,”
The Zeliangrong people during this time of sorrow and pain do pray to Almighty God to grant peace and console the bereaved family members, it said.
CPO: The Chakhesang Public Organization recollected Kaka D Iralu as “a real patriot who have braved with many odds and exhibited unwavering determination in defending the cause of Naga Nationalism.”
“A true son of the soil whose contribution by authoring many books on our national cause were to flourish and inspire posterity,” stated a condolence message from CPO President Mikha Kenye and General Secretary Veduvo Rhakho.
KRDU: The Khonoma Rüffüno Dimapur Unit (KRDU) said that Kaka Dierhekolie Iralu was a great thinker, prolific writer and orator, a great Naga nationalist and a giant defender of Naga society.
Stating that the Nagas have also lost a great freedom fighter, the Unit President Kevizeto Meyase said “He was a true and courageous patriot whose focus never got swayed and deterred…He was the voice of the many Nagas whose voices were suppressed and muffled.”
“May his writings and the legacy left behind continue to guide and lead us till our cherished goals are achieved.”
CAKSU: The Chakhro Angami Kuda Students' Union (CAKSU) remembered Kaka D Iralu’s “great enthusiastic spirit” and said that he was loved and respected by everyone. “It is a great loss for the Nagas but he will always be remembered by all of us,” the Union stated.
IHRC Nagaland: Expressing sorrow at the demise of Kaka D Iralu, the Indian Human Rights Commission (IHRC) Nagaland Chairperson S Richard Humtsoe said that the “Nagas has lost a very rare gem on Naga National movement,” and expressed hope that hoped that his legacy will live on.
SNUNS: South Nagas Union of Nagaland State (SNUNS) also said that the demise of Kaka D Iralu is a big loss for the Nagas as a whole. “He was one of the tallest of Naga sons, who saw the rights of the Nagas being trampled and fought fearlessly and relentlessly for the Nagas, all his life,” stated SNUNS President Joe Ngamkhuchung in a condolence message.
NDPP Ghaspani-II: The NDPP 5 Ghaspani-II A/C in its message stated that Kaka D Iralu was “one of the noblest souls who walked the talk and fought for justice throughout his life.”
“His immense knowledge of our history penned in his writings will always be factors to be considered in future even as we feel his absence from now. He was a true Naga patriot who fought in truth for the welfare of our people and his immeasurable contribution to the Naga society will surely bear fruits someday,” the message read.
MTMK: The Medziphema Town Mechü Krotho (MTMK) along with Medziphema Town Women Organisation, Medziphema Town Youth Organisation, Medziphema Town Chamber of Commerce, Medziphema Town Gaon Bura Union & Medziphema Town Students' Union also mourned the demise of Naga political activist and writer Kaka D Iralu who is also the elder brother of Khrielie Iralu, General Secretary, MTMK.
"His demise has created a non replaceable void not only in Medziphema but for the whole Nagas whose valour is renowned throughout the world today" stated the joint press release.
"He is one of the strongest pillars who fought for Naga cause with truth as his weapon and his contribution to the Naga people will forever be etched in history," it said.
Naga Hoho: The Naga Hoho recollected Kaka D Iralu as a prolific writer, a real Naga patriot and historian and above all a very humble person. Expressing gratitude for his participation and contributions “towards strengthening the position of Naga Hoho,” the condolence message stated that “He was also a bold, outspoken man with genuine convictions who rendered selfless service to the Naga Nation till his last breath.”
True to his word, Kaka always believed in the inalienable rights of the Nagas for sovereignty, it said, adding “Nagas throughout the length and breadth of Naga areas will always cherish his noble sacrifice and remember his deed in the annals of Naga history. Nagas have lost a true son of the soil and the vacuum created by him will be irreparable.”
MLA Imkong Imchen: Expressing anguish at the passing of “our truly Naga friend/brother,” MLA Imknog Imchen said that Kaka’s “sense of judgment and justice deliverance was always demonstrated by his might hands of literature.”
“The Naga people have lost a true patriotic freedom fighter and will not be able to fill the vacuum left behind by him. He was an encyclopedia of Naga freedom movement. His Spartan-theme of never surrender never retreat shall ever linger in the minds of the family of Naga freedom fighters,” the MLA stated in his message.
OTS: The Oriental Theological Seminary’s family celebrated the legacy of Kaka D Iralu,” whose life embodied that of a prophet to the Naga nation.” He was a man full of wisdom and courage, it said, adding that “those endowments were found in expressing the truth to power.”
“In human term, his demise is an irreplaceable lost for the Nagas, however, in the divine economy; it is not, for “unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (John 12:24),” stated Dr Joshua Lorin, Principal, OTS, in his message.
Rev VK Nuh: Rev Dr VK Nuh stated that Kaka D Iralu was a great son of the soil and a born patriot whose “intellectual and genuine write-ups will be treasured.” His inspiration and contribution will remain in the chapters of Naga history, he added.
“His demise causes a vacuum in our Naga society. We pray that his valuable works and legacy will remain and pass on to generations to come,” the condolence message read.
Tribute to Eno Kaka D Iralu
The sudden and untimely demise of Kaka D Iralu amidst the unending Naga Peace Talk has left a void in the Naga discourse and it's one big family spanning across the states of Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and parts of Myanmar. A towering figure who spoke truth to power and questioned the state and institutional power to reflect on its excesses on the Naga people. He is the author of “The Naga Saga”, “Nagaland and India: The Blood and the Tears: A Historical Account of the Fifty-Two year Indo Naga War and the Story of Those who were never allowed to tell it”, and “Uncovering the Political Lies that Have Covered Indo-Naga History from the 1940s to the Present”, and numerous writings on Naga Nationalism and social issues faced by the Naga society. His decision to self-publish his books remains an act of resistance and in academia it precisely animates the decolonial methodology. His selfless contribution towards documenting the histories, narrative and experiences of the Naga peoples despite numerous constraints have shaped understandings beyond academia. His activism and participation in public fora speak volumes about his patriotism towards the Naga nation. It is in his engagement in academia and with masses that a sense of affinity and acknowledgement of Naga history, struggle and identity has been kept alive.
Iralu, himself a native of Khonoma- a village considered as the birthplace of Naga Nationalism, had witnessed the events and turmoil surrounding Naga Nationalism and from oral history. He is also a distant relative of Angami Z. Phizo who is touted as the father of Naga Nationalism. With this background, he rendered a rich account on Naga history and nationalism. In his book, the Naga Saga he wrote that the Nagas have been living under an independent nation of their own as old as the first record of Naga in AD 150. This is to assert that the Naga nation existed long before the British colonial rule came to the Naga Hills. The ongoing Naga struggle is a continuity of this history to reclaim what rightfully belongs to them. On colonial period, and post colonial period, he wrote in the Naga Saga to make sense of external force in the path of Naga lifeworld as thus, “ ...the national identity of a people and its geographical identity is inseparable, and because their culture and their whole way of life is rooted in the soil of their motherland, an invasion of a country is not just a geographical invasion of a country but an invasion of the total historical, political, racial and cultural identity of a nation” (The Naga Saga, 2009, p.12).
We join the rest of Naga people in mourning the departure of Kaka D. Iralu. We thank him with deep gratitude for dedicating his life in capturing the history of the Naga Movement, trauma and scars inflicted on Naga people and their struggle through his writings and activism. In recent interactions with few scholars from TISS, Mumbai he expressed his wish for the present generation to take forward this truth. As budding scholars, we shall continue speaking, writing and reclaiming our reality and history. We hope more individuals join in animating his legacy.
‘The immutable fact is one where I was born a Naga and I will die a Naga. Nothing can ever change that’ (The Naga Saga, 2009, p.24).
Naga Students
Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai
