NSCN (IM) holds State Funeral Service for Swu
Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 1
Three rounds of a 21-gun salute, the highest military honour accorded at a State Funeral, were dedicated today to Late Isak Chishi Swu (1929-2016) at the State Funeral Service by the Naga Army of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN).
The gun-salute was not just by way of a State farewell to the ex-Chairman of the NSCN (IM) but its disciplined precision was a sign of the commitment that the workers of the NSCN (IM) had strengthened under the leadership of the Late Yaruiwo, Isak Chishi Swu.
Held at the Council Headquarters, Hebron, from 8:00am to well after noon, the State Funeral Service also saw the acknowledgement of values and strategies of revolutionary struggle that the NSCN (IM) under the leadership of Swu, and Thuingaleng Muivah, had brought to North East India, North West Burma region and far beyond.
“He will be remembered as the father of the suppressed and oppressed people of the region,” noted Anjali Daimary of the Bodo Women’s Justice Forum. Similar messages from the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB), NDFB (Progressive), the United Peoples’ Front, Zomi Reunification Organisation, Meitei National Front and even the Maharaja of Manipur focussed on how Swu had become a “source of inspiration for peoples’ struggles.”
The inspiration spread to Swaraj Kaushal, a former interlocutor for the Government of India (GoI) in the Indo-Naga peace process. In his condolence message on the demise of Swu, Kaushal noted that the GoI should have negotiated with AZ Phizo when he had gone to meet Morarji Desai. Remembering Swu to be a “silent, serene, dignified” soul, Kaushal maintained that the Naga issue must be solved with the “fathers of the nation” or “we could be too late.”
Today’s tribute was as much emotional as formal. Many soldiers of the Naga Army stayed up all night, after Swu’s mortal remains arrived at Hebron Camp on the night of June 30, mourning the loss of their leader who passed away on June 28. NSCN (IM) General Secretary, Th. Muivah, found only tears as he laid a wreath on the coffin of his friend, philosopher and guide of 52 years, for whom it became “too much” to part with Swu.
Gen. (retd) VS Atem, Member, Collective Leadership, broke down as he gave his condolence message. Capt. (retd) Singyaola Zimik, Chairperson of the National Socialist Women’s Organisation of Nagalim wept uncontrollably before giving her message. Qhevihe Chishi Swu, Convener, Steering Committee, Rh. Raising, Kilo Kilonser, Lt. Gen.
Phungthing Shimrang, Longvibu, Naga Army and Mingthingla, Chairperson, Naga Freedom Fighters’ Widow’s Welfare Fund—all gave stirring speeches in recognition of Swu’s contributions to the Naga national cause. Eustar Chishi Swu reminisced their life together of 40 years through starvation and struggle, with a single minded focus on the Naga nation and God.
For Rev. Dr. Tuisem Shishak, an old friend of Chairman Swu’s, Isak was the spirituality for Muivah’s brain power which made them an “inseparable pie;” one cannot be without the other, he noted.
Legacy of Naga independence
“We thank him for leaving us with the legacy of Naga independence,” said Gen. (retd) Kholi Konyak, Vice Chairman of the NSCN (IM) in his condolence message, and his first speech at Camp Hebron. “All future generations will bless him for it.”
Acknowledging that Late Isak Chishi Swu and he have worked together “from the beginning” with a few years’ gap due to “misunderstanding,” Gen. (retd) Kholi stated that he will never forget his years of work with Swu. “There are many educated people today but none as sacrificing as them,” he stated, referring to Swu and Muivah. It is time now to “forward the work they have done till date.”
“It is the sunset of our life—time has brought us up till here. It is now up to the new generation to happily, and with strength, try to follow what we have given and bless those who have left us,” he said.
