I, on behalf of GBs, Elders and Students’ Union of Satakha Village, and on my -behalf take this privilege to convey my best wishes and a very special thanks to the convenor and the organizing committee for making the 50th Anniversary Battle of Satakha (1956 - 2006) a grand success on 24th March 2006 at our Village Satakha.
This historic battle of Satakha brought tremendous changes in the annals of Naga political freedom struggle. It was the first victorious battle fought against the enemies when 78 Indian Armed forces personal of various ranks and files with 77 assorted weapons and ammunition (numbers of ammunition were not counted) were surrendered to Naga Army called “Naga Safe Guard” (NSG) under the leadership of Gen. Kaito Sukhai. It was on this day the 24th March 1956 the Naga Army under the command of Gen. Kaito showed their true color and Naga gallantry to the world.
This historic battle of Satakha strengthened the hand of the Naga Army, could mobilize Army wings to prepare and strengthen for self defence from the hand of the aggressors and hence this battle can be termed as the “Stepping Stone of the Nagas Struggle for Freedom.”
The courageous sacrifices and the blood of the proud sons and daughters of this soil have made it possible for the Nagas to be where we are today. Bare-footed, wearing torn trouser and caps, feeding on wild fruits, outnumbered loaded for self defence, arms and ammunition which were discarded by the British and Japanese soldiers, fought his best, not counting his wounds. The sacrifices made were neither for their own personal gain nor feelings. Our elders sacrificed their precious lives, dedicated their lives for us. Saying “Not for me but for the Nation”. For the sake of the Naga Nationhood too many have suffered. Rape, rampant mass arrest, torture of public, untold miseries, untold terror and suffering. But, there never was a time when it could be claimed that the Naga Army had been broken in submission, for fifty years of bloody struggle but we have never lost sight or our freedom. For the brave Nagas freedom is too dear to part with. Freedom is our so long as we hold fast to it above everything else. Credit must go to the elders who awakened our spirit of Naga Nationalism in each and everyone of us so that we also can hold Nagalim tight to our bosoms and protect her freedom. Our elders in their times did not fail to take the right decision at the right time. It is they whom we owe our future. Then why should we fail during our time?
Have we come these far to kill our fellow Naga Brothers and Sisters? Why? What is gained in- the intra-.factional fighting? Nothing. We reap only loss, hate, destruction, division and enmity. This killing and fighting is a sign of our weakness, fear, uncertainty and unreliable leadership. I, for one, do not know what effect these words had upon others, but unless our leaders wake up in time, unless we change, we see greater disaster and disgrace before us. It got stalled as a very genuine; let it be the same and not a toy in the hand of the devil. Let us all keep our finger crossed to find a peaceful and honourable solution to the Indo-Naga problems at the earliest.
Remember! “NAGAS LIVE ON OUR OWN LAND THAT BELONGS TO US. NAGAS ARE AN INDEPENDENT AND SOVEREIGN PEOPLE”
“UNITED WE STAND”
LONG LIVE, NAGALIM
(NAGAHO A. CHISHI SWU) Ex - President, Satakha Village Students’ Union
