Dimapur, August 13 (MExN): London based Naga National Council (NNC) President, Adinno Phizo, and Texas based NNC President, Senka Yaden, have both sent separate messages on the occasion of the 62nd Anniversary of the Nagaland Independence Declaration on August 14.
Stating that no nation can reverse history, Adinno reminded that given the “unique” situation whereby Nagas refused to enter into a written treaty or agreement, as such the British kept their word not to interfere in Naga affairs during its colonial rule over the surrounding countries. Adinno went on to state that “neighbouring India grotesquely prevented the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) to exercise Naga sovereignty and to date deny much needed nation building progress speak volumes of successive Indian leaders’ awful hypocrisy”.
Adinno also pointed out that India “reneged on the word of Mahatma Gandhi, Father of modern India”, and that his successor, Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India, “contemptibly abandoned his own often stated role to the world as champion of freedom and perversely ordered the invasion of Nagaland in 1954”. As a consequence of Indian army brutality, over one hundred thousand (100,000) Naga civilians lost their lives and thousands of Naga patriots resisting the aggressors were killed, the NNC leader stated. The NNC President also reminded that despite the GoI’s gross interference in the internal affairs of Nagaland, the FGN consistently maintains a non-violence policy of no firing except in self-defence when first fired upon, and unswervingly adheres to the NNC vision, ‘Our Country is Ours’.
Adinno’s message also urged the government of India to ‘Quit Nagaland’, pointing out that the days of colonialism were long gone. She also stated that the “current outrageous peace process the GoI stage with a proxy militia gang collected from the Indian state of Manipur, aka, the tormentors, to undermine the original stand of Nagaland simply manifest poverty of right minded leaders in India”. As such, she pointed out that until the “GoI resolve the core issue of the conflict between the two nations with NNC and FGN, the civilised world will find Indian hypocrisy perplexing and unacceptable”.
Similarly, Texas based Senka Yaden, President, Naga National Council (NNC), has also sent a message on the occasion of the 62nd Anniversary of the Declaration of Naga Independence on 14 August 1947. While commending the Naga National Council (NNC) members and supporters for their dedication to ensure that Naga History is not only preserved but celebrated, Senka expressed the national goals and the mission of the NNC. Senka also mentioned that Nagas are privileged to observe the Independence Day in recognition of the legacy and the truth left to us by our forefathers. “Regardless of the differences among us, it is our duty and pride to preserve, protect, and defend our cultural heritage and help promote harmony in common heritage,” Senka stated.
Terming it a question of moral rights, Senka stated that Nagas want to dwell as one land, one nation, one people, in unity, peace and liberty. “Independence and freedom are indivisible, so is the institution of the NNC; there is only one NNC and no other,” Senka stated in his message while asking people to “seek what unite us and not what divide us”. The NNC President also proposed the “beginning of a new tradition by embracing the past, and honor our land in unity and celebrate this Independence Day to uphold the bonds that will frame our destiny”.
