Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho speaking during 52nd Indo-Naga Ceasefire Day at Chedema Peace Camp on September 6. (Morung Photo)
Chizokho Vero
Chedema | September 6
Chedema Peace Camp today commemorated the Indo-Naga Ceasefire that was signed between the Government of India and the Federal Government of Nagaland, 52 years ago.
Speaking on the occasion, Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) General Secretary Rev. Dr. Zelhou Keyho said one must not forget the history of how the ceasefire of September 6, 1964 came into being.
“It came at a time when our land was caught up in a warlike situation. The Nagas in general suffered untold miseries, our homes were burnt down into ashes and the common and the innocent citizens, regardless of who they are become prime suspects and suffered torturous treatment and abuse, and the Naga national workers were hunted like animals in and out of the jungles,” he said.
He however lamented that the “ceasefire seems to have seized our right to self determination based on our historical and political rights. Therefore, though we honour this day, what value is there if our political will for self determination is made to die a natural death.”
He asserted that “if we can once again revisit the glory of those days where nationalism reign supreme without arms, without muscle power in the atmosphere of ceasefire, we can still intelligently continue to travel in the path and vision of our leaders and many of our patriots who have made the supreme sacrifice.”
He also urged the people to remember the ideals of signing the ceasefire on this day: “to end hostility but not surrender our rights; to create peaceful atmosphere without arms and intimidations; to look at each other without superior mentality; to dialogue and negotiate as equals and to reach final solution for which ceasefire comes into effect.”
Keyho then lamented that “we have become so comfortable on the one hand, and so divided on the other hand. We have become comfortable because we have taken for granted as if the final show is over.”
Keyho admitted that mistakes of stubbornness, pride, and self justification have been made. “This has been not only the problem and mistake of one particular political group but has been the problem and mistake of all the political groups that exists today,” he said.
He urged Nagas to “come together without playing the politics of division.” “We must speak in unison to the big India to listen to our rights and aspiration because in the words of J. P. Narayan ‘sovereignty of Nagaland is imminently practicable and negotiable.’ That ‘negotiable’ can turn into possible if we unite,” he concluded.
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