Let us never prefix the title “Late” to Assu Isak Chishi Swu; he is an immortal-icon; most importantly now is with the Lord Jesus Christ, indeed more perfectly alive than before. D.L. Moody says, “Someday you will read in the papers that D.L. Moody of East Northfield is dead. But do not believe a word of it! At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now.” Alike Assu Isak Chishi Swu is.
Assu Isak Chishi Swu had witnessed the atrocities of Indian army against his people. This had led him for Naga freedom and thus gave his total life for fighting for Naga freedom since 1959. He tirelessly had served for his beloved Naga people for 57 years against their oppressions. (Assu Isak Chishi Swu passed B.A. in 1959 and joined as the freedom fighter on that very year itself to till his last breath 2016 ie; 57 years he gave his life, everything for the Naga nation, not 52 years as mentioned often times in the daily local papers. This mis-information is giving clarification through reliable source). All through this span of years he depended on the living God and strived for non-violence and for an amicable settlement with the Government of India through political dialogues. Ato Kilonser Muivah says, “…through Swu’s unceasing faith in Jehovah that both India and Nagas realized the futility of hostility and resolved to settle Indo-Naga issue through political dialogues” (NP 3rd July front page). Further Th. Muivah attribute to Isak’s leadership by saying, “this led to signing of the framework agreement” (NP 1st July front page).
Nagas should not narrowly look Assu Isak Chishi Swu as mere a Sema. He was and is inseparable part of every tribe of Nagas, as he had invested sacrificially of all of his 57 years for the Nagas whom he loved so much and for their nation-hood.
R.N. Ravi, who is well known of Naga history and has the role in interlocutor for Naga - India talks aptly illustrated that Isak Chishi Swu is the “Mahatma of Nagaland” (NP June 30 front page). I appreciate his accolade toward our ever Hero who is in Heaven now. Mahatma Gandhi gave his life for the Indians hence he was titled as the Father of the Nation. So also Assu Isak Chishi Swu, ever since came with his Bachelor in Arts degree in 1959 who as a young man had a great dreams to go to USA for his Theological studies, determined on that same year to suffer for his Naga people till his last breath given to the hand of the Lord Jesus on 28th June 2016.
Ato Kilonser N. Kitovi Jimomi timely expressed his concerns by saying, “Naga displayed unity only in times of mourning. He wished that Nagas should come together as one for other purposes as well. He said the living should unite and be together” (NP 1 July front page). Nagas must have a positive thinking toward UNITY as through it alone we will achieve the long awaited solution.
Agri-Expo became historically unique on the 1st July by having the funeral service of Assu Isak Chishi Swu. His death brought many factions / rivals together on the same dais. The tributes of the top leaders of GPRN / NSCN, NNC, NSCN / GPRN (R) to the departed great Naga leader in unison, depicted that our UNITY is not far away.
What made us thus far not to be bound together? Could it be the failure in yielding to one another – Giving and Taking? Could it be the absence of Christ likeness in us – Forgiving and Forgetting? NSCN(I-M) Kilo Kilonser Rh. Raising says, “we will uphold and abide” by the appeal made by NSCN (I-M) Yaruiwo (late) Isak Chishi Swu to all workers of different groups “to forgive our mistakes, as we have also forgiven their past mistakes.” (NP July 20 front page). Ato Kilonser Th. Muivah, his counterpart Ato Kilonser N. Kitovi Jimomi, and all the top leaders of the different factions have the same longing for Unity in order to accomplish our long waited cordial solution.
At this juncture who will take up the role of ambassador of peace with selfless sacrifice and bring all the factions / NPGs together to usher freedom triumphantly upon the Nagas? FNR alone or who? Nagaland Chief Minister T.R. Zeliang says, “…the best tribute Nagas could pay to the (late) Chairman would be to unite and strive together to realize and fulfill his dreams” (NP 1 July front page).
Rev. Dr. Vikheshe Chishi, Founder and Principal, Withee Bible College, Dimapur.
