Address on the 65th Anniversary Of Naga Plebiscite at the Peace Hall, Chedema
Ladies and Gentlemen, Warm greetings to all of you on this auspicious day. I am delighted to see many of the Plebiscite signatories gather here today in honour of your pledge and in honour of the fateful day. The day reminds me of my participation at Sohomi, Chakhesang Region, when I was there as a school teacher.
Sixty-five years ago on this day, over six thousand Nagas came from all over our country to Kohima to witness and to give their pledge that they will stand by our nation. which commenced the Voluntary Plebiscite on 16th May, 1951 at 10: 00 A.M.
Big or small, a nation is a nation. But when your next neighbour country ridicule your existence the right way to do is not fight but to show in action. That was the reason the Naga National Council (NNC) under the leadership of A.Z. Phizo decided to have a voluntary Plebiscite by the Naga people for the Naga people. For this, he travelled all over the country for four months on foot and explained the situation to the people. As the Naga people loved their country, they understood their right easily. In the Plebiscite, two choices were given- independence or join India. The out-come was 99.9% pledged to stay independent. All the arrangements were carried out openly, and NNC even informed the Indian government four months before it took place. With this Plebiscite result the Nagas had shown to the world that they are a sovereign nation. By tradition Nagas take oath very seriously.
On the Plebiscite day, the NNC President in his speech to the people said; “we shall do all what is humanly possible so that we shall not have to go down in history in shame or live in sorrow and disgrace; what else we cannot, we leave it to God’s own mercy and to His care and pray that we do not become a victim of the Indian imperialism” the President further added; “This Plebiscite is not whether Nagaland should become a part of India or not. This is only to show India and the world of Naga unity as one effective nation in order to let INDIA know the position of NAGALAND.”
This message is for us to take note of and make our principle of it. After the Naga Plebiscite result was known, the Indian government sent an emissary and held a meeting with A.Z. Phizo in Shillong, Assam and offered “any amount of money” for development of Nagaland, but Phizo refused. He told the emissary, “my body is mine if you need my help, I can help what I can do but my country is not mine but you can talk to my people.” He was always conscious about the country that once we lose our country we shall no longer be a free man, and development do not bring freedom.
On the part of India, after their founding father of their nation Mahatma Ghandhi died their government disregarded their national policy of non-violence and invaded Nagaland. Before and after the Naga Plebiscite the Indian first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru warned the Naga delegation when they met him in New Delhi. He said “I will use all the forces at my command to crush you.” Surprisingly followed to his treat by sending his armed forces from 1954 onwards to 1964 till the Ceasefire Agreement was arranged and signed between the Federal Government of Nagaland and the Government of India as two nations.
Everywhere people remember those who died for their country. Many Nagas suffered and died in defense of our country, and for their sacrifice Nagaland survives today. And by the grace of God we are here today as He saved our people in that dark period in the hands of our enemy who chased our people like animals.
But a section of Nagas used the Naga’s name went in the wrong direction and brought in many evils after the Ceasefire Agreement with India. There are people who use the so-called Shillong Accord as a ghost and scare other to disturb people’s mind but truth shall prevail. Hope they will realize their mistake. “Unity” is not the problem but those who break it is the problem.
The Nagas are not asking anything from India. Nagaland was and is never a part of India. Besides, Nagaland is not an enemy of India. What the Nagas expect from India is that reason must prevail and usher in peace between Nagaland and India.
May God Bless Nagaland. Urra Uvie.
Adinno Phizo, President, Naga National Council.
