Kezha Angami, Kedahge, FGN addressing the ‘80th Nagaland Independence Day’ in Kohima on August 14.
Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 14
The Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) celebrated “80th Nagaland Independence Day” at Transit Peace Camp, Kohima on August 14.
In his address, Kezha Angami, Kedahge, FGN said, “As we celebrate our Independence Day we also reaffirm the guiding principles of the Naga nation and the declaration of our courageous founding fathers, elders and leaders stating that Nagas are a free people, he said “We are a nation. We are a republic.”
He said Nagas are not Indians-historically, culturally, ethnically, racially, linguistically, politically, socially, geographically and legally. “Nagas never consented to be part of the construct of the Indian Union at any point of time,” Kezha said.
He said that the legitimatization of “our sovereignty and independence that was mandated by the Naga voluntary Plebiscite of May 16, 1951 is rooted in the foundation the village republic, instituted across different region in the Naga country since time immemorial.” This Naga national character is undeniable, irrefutable and indisputable, he said.
Kezha said that NNC founded in February 2, 1946 became the Naga institutional umbrella that provided the platform, authority and leadership for all the village- republics to come together as a nation and made the Naga Independence Declaration during the presidentship of T Aliba Imti on August 14, 1947.
He said that the Federal Government merged the independent Free Nagaland and the so-called ‘administered Naga-Hills’ into a unified, single independent political entity, thereby in effect, for all intents and purposes known as Nagaland - Nagaland - a solidified nation, with a flag and the Yezhabo.
Stating that NNC and FGN belong to the Nagas, Kezha said, “And the Naga public must actively ensure that NNC and FGN functionaries are accountable not only to the vision but their action towards that vision for the nation.”
He accorded fullest honour, respect and recognition “to visionary pioneers and national workers who sacrificed their lives for freedom in our land, and those who continue to work for our national cause without compromising on the foundational principles of our nationhood.”
“Our nation is built on the bloods, tears, sacrifices and prayers of many Nagas,” Kezha said.
Earlier, the programme was chaired by Ato Zhimomi, Kilonser, N.R. FGN while Brig.Vephi Dozo, Head Chaplain N/A invoked God’s blessings.
