Kohima, February 2 (MExN): Naga National Council (NNC) President Adinno Phizo today upheld the enduring stance of the Nagas stating that “For the past seventy two years, the Nagas have wonderfully upheld the right of our nation in conflict with India.”
She was speaking during the 73rd NNC Formation Day at Chedema Peace Camp, near Kohima.
The NNC President also reiterated that NNC “is not a political party, but a political institution of Nagaland; always to uphold and defend the right of the Nagas.” Further maintaining that from February 1946 onward, the council became the voice of the Naga people.
“We, the Nagas are living in our own land from time immemorial and have never had any connection with India ever since the foreign occupation started in our country from 1880 to 2018. For one hundred thirty eight years, the Naga people have continuously defended their right of freedom. This is a known historical fact,” Adinno reaffirmed.
The President then underlined that the first contact with India was in May 1947 just before Great Britain relinquished her power to India, the Constituent Assembly of India, at that time, sent her delegation to meet NNC members in Kohima and offered Nagaland to join the Union of India but the offer was refused.
Recalling turn of events and atrocities, she cited June 1947, when India broke off its promise with NNC after the Ten Year Agreement was given. “Then NNC representatives declared Naga Independence on August 14, 1947, a day ahead of modern India,” she added.
A voluntary Plebiscite on May 16, 1951, after Phizo’s Presidentship resulted to a 99.9% not to join India; later the agreement of the free Naga people in the East to join the mainland and the establishment of the Federal Government of Nagaland on March 22, 1956 with the Yehzabo (constitution) and rainbow flag to become a republic nation on March 22, 1956.
“Instead of developing our country by ourselves, India invaded Nagaland in 1954 and continued till Ceasefire was initiated by NBCC and arranged by Peace Mission and signed the International Ceasefire Agreement between the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) and the Government of India in 1964. But India unilaterally abrogated the Ceasefire Agreement in 1972. During the war from 1954-1964, many Nagas suffered and died. Villages were burned down to ashes; the people escaped but returned with community spirit and helped one another to rebuild their villages again instead of running away and becoming refugees.
Nagaland is still under Indian military occupation. And the Government of India recently extended the so-called Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA), 1958 for six months on December 30, 2018 in Nagaland,” she continued.
“In any country, under occupation many unpleasant things develop in the situation. We are witnessing the same things, but time does not stand still and the truth shall prevail. Be a good Naga and avoid what the Lord hates,” she added referring to a Bible passage.
The President then asserted our traditional virtues stating we do not struggle for power but reason together and resolve or decide the problem or matter, adding, “The Nagas have all the freedom in our country. Region (Tribe) to region may have different culture or tradition, but as a whole we can resolve among ourselves and not fight like foreigners.”
She also attested that “Before Christianity came to our country, our people were not ‘living in darkness’ nor were we ‘head-hunters.’ If they were, the present generation will imitate others and will have no tradition of their own. We became Christians because there is a salvation even after life.”
