Venyiyi Rhakhu: Shillong Accord

This rejoinder refers to the article by Dr. Amento Chishi, Kilonser, MIP, NNC Non –Accordist, which appeared in local papers on Saturday, February 23rd, 2014 under the heading “ Response to Khrovete Nuh”. He points out callously and erroneously that Mr. Venyiyi Rhakhu was also one of the signatories of the controversial Shillong Accord. In order to give him the benefit of doubt and for him or his colleagues to put the matter right this rejoinder has been put on hold but sadly, no corrigendum have been made lately. Therefore, we are compelled to issue this rejoinder to point out that Dr. Amento Chishi clearly got the historical facts wrong.

Mr. Venyiyi Rhakhu was never a signatory of the Shillong Accord though it is true that he was one of the representatives to negotiate with the possible terms of agreement between FGN and GoI. He rejected the Shillong Accord outright when the terms of the agreement were made known to him. The sheer fact of his rejection of the Shillong Accord is not a secret. One can verbally learn from senior Naga political leaders as well as from books and other documents connected with Naga Freedom Movement.

The political acumen and courage with which Mr. Venyiyi Rhakhu acted during the crucial period of our Naga political movement was highly commended upon by the Chakhesang community.  Allow me to quote in this connection the political statement of the Chakhesang Public Organization,

“Yet if government or individual wants to question the stand of Chakhesangs, we shall take it as a given opportunity to once again clarify our position illustrated with what some Naga leaders from our community had done. Late Venyiyi Rhakhu, Tatar, a representative delegated by FGN went through the same odd as the signatories but declined to sign the Accord, come what may, believing that it would certainly hamper Naga national cause early or late. He was accused for not signing by the literate accordists on grounds of ignorance i,e, not knowing English. It is beautiful to recollect what Late Mr. Venyiyi Rhakhu told his fellow Chakhesangs before the Accord was signed by the other friends saying “I shall die, if I must, but I will not sign, for I shall rather die than doing anything that may hamper Naga nationalism… “

(Dated Phek, the May 2006. Point No.2, second paragraph)

It is certainly unbecoming of leaders like Dr. Amento Chishi who holds high position and responsibility to be making such a blunder on such a matter of importance which may also have a decisive role to play in the writing of our national history and in the making of our national aspiration.