Thomas
NNC Member
In those days the 1940s, the Eastern Nagas were still illiterate and had no knowledge about the Burmese independent movement. And neither did they know about the formation of the Naga Club nor of the Naga National Council (NNC) by the Nagas of the Western part of Nagaland on January 7, 1918, and February 2, 1946. The Eastern Nagas did not involve in the independent movement of the Burmese and know nothing about the Panglong Agreement on February 12, 1947, which was promisingly signed by the national leaders of Kachin, Chin, Shan, and Burmese leader Gen. Aung San to build a federal Union. But this was abrogated by Burmese leaders without implemented it by applying unitary government or Military tyranny rule in the past more than seventy years.
The British Colonialists called the Eastern Nagas as “Free Nagas”, and thus they had no knowledge of British Colonial rule. The Eastern Nagas had never fallen into any foreign domination in their history. However, World War II was also fought even in the Eastern Naga Hills, thereby the Eastern Nagas had encountered foreigners like Japanese, Chinese, American, and British people, etc.
The Stilwell Road (Ledo Road) which was constructed in 1942, during the World War II traversed the Northern part of the Eastern Naga region from Pangsau, Nam Yung to Tawa (Shingbwi Yang) village, and to Yunnan Province of China. The Headquarters of Alliances was set up at Shingbwi Yang with an airfield for landing fighter plans. Hence, some young Naga people had a chance to stay with alliances forces and came to learn English speaking. But it was only a short period as the World War II ended in August 1945 and the alliance forces left the country. However, it was an eye opener for the Eastern Nagasparticularly HeimiRegion to understand the world. It spiked their interest in education and nationalism.
After the World War II, Christianity was brought to Heimi Region from Kachinland by Rev. Labwi Thingnan, Rev.Fr. Collin. And to Somra Region, from the West Tangkhul Region by Rev Theibun of Somra village, and East Khiamniungan from Western part of Khiamniungan Region.
In March 1954, Phizo visited East part of Khiamniungan region from Kingphu to Thingniungan covering nine villages led by Pachung from Pangsha village and spoke the villagers to stand for Naga nation.
In 1964, the Heimi Nagas and Kachin Independent Army (KIA) had a skirmish of war because KIA wanted to control Heimi Region forceful by capturing all Heimi students who were studying in Myitkyina Town (Capital of Kachin State) while they were returning back home in sumra vacation. The students were, therefore, brought to Khamti by helping Burmese Government lifted them by air. More than two hundred students were brought to Khamti. In those days there was no Vehicle Road between Khamti and Myitkyina. The public leaders like Kewa Gin Rang, Tolum Mishan, and Tibaw Womlin initiated with the Burmese Government to bring the students to Kahmati.
After reaching the students, the student leaders and public leaders held a meeting in Dunghi village, Heimi Region in May 1964, and the meeting adopted a resolution to form Village Guard (VG) collecting the abandoned arms of the WW II. Again, a secret meeting was held in Phachet village and from there decided to send Khaplang and Eno Yan Lung to contact the Naga Army in Somra Region as the Naga Army had a temporary Camp in Somra Region while they were going to East Pakistan (Now Bangladesh). Eno Yang Lung was included with Khaplang because he spoke English. In those days, Kewa Gin Rang, Tolum Mit Sham, Gaye Nang Won, Lungti KhupRin, Tibaw Wom Lin, Hakhun Nuk Gu, were renowned public leaders from Heimi Region for leading meetings and sending Khaplang and Yan Lung to contact the NNC/FGN leaders.
As a result of the contact, the Eastern Naga Revolutionary Council (ENRC) was formed on April 7, 1965 at Somra village, led by Chopoh as President of the ENRC, Khaplang, Vice President, Brig. Simon was Chief of the Army. After the formation of ENRC, the VG under the Command of Thungbo became the ENRC Army, and after Brig. Simon retired, Brig. Thungbo became Chief of the Army of ENRC. However, in Eastern part of Khiamniungan Region, 22nd Battalion was established in 1966 under 9th Brigade, Northern Command of the Naga Army, Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN). But none of the Heimi Naga youths who were in Khamti in 1970s did not know about the existence of 22nd Battalion of FGN Army in East Khiamniungan Region as they maintained top secrecy.
When Chopoch retired from the service, Nuri Para became President of the ERNC for a few time in 1971. Later he too retired from the service, Khaplang became President of the ENRC. In February 1972, Khaplang along with his top leaders (8 of them) went to meet NNC/FGN leaders in Kohima and returned back. But after he reached his area (Nam Yung, Pangsau areas), 36 personnel of his Army surrendered led by Capt. Timothy.
By using the ENRC Army surrendered personnel, Burma Army took operation against Khaplang group, hence Khaplang fled to Kachinland for sheltering and to strengthen his Army again by joining hands with the KIA. Even some of his Army reached Chiang Mai, Thailand along with the KIA. While KIO/KIA leaders, Chairman Zau Seng, Gen. Zau Tu, and Secretary Hpung Shwi Zau Seng were assassinated at Tham Ngop Camp, (nearly 200 Km from Chiang Mai) on August 10, 1975, Khaplang Army were at the Camp, but know nothing about the assassination. They felt in rage for the killing good leaders.
The Eastern Naga national movement under the leadership of Khaplang became silent after he fled to Kachinland. However, the Naga Army Goodwill Mission to China crossed Heimi Region since 1967, the Naga nationalism stirred in the minds of Naga youths of Heimi Region. The consequence thereof, W. Shapwon and Lungmi (a Primary School Teacher) started organizing Naga youths who were in Khamti. A meeting was held on November 30, 1974 at Natek village jungle, secretly. The meeting unanimously decided to contact NNC and FGN. The meeting entrusted W. Shapwon as a contact man and the rest took the responsible to organize the youths in and around Khamti.
In December 1974, W. Shapwon went to Somra Region and reached Kong Kailung village in Christmas season to contact the NNC/FGN but failed. Again in January 1975, he attempted to contact the Naga Army in Konyak Region that too was a failure because no one was found to lead them to the Konyak Region and returned to Khamti again from his journey. Lastly, he went to Eastern part of Khiamniungan Region along with a reliable person. This time, in March 1975, he met Captain Lütse from 22nd Battalion, 9th Brigade of the Northern Command. Then the Eastern Naga youths 30 of them from Heimi Region joined the NNC and FGN in April 1975.
In January 1976, 10th trip of Naga Army Goodwill Mission to China led by Th. Muivah and Isak Chishi Swu, the then NNC General Secretary and Chaplee Kilonser (Finance Minister) of FGN returned home. This was a boast for the Eastern Nagas because they have taken a decision to establish Naga Army base in Eastern part of Nagaland.
With the new arms brought from China, W. Shapwon, Rinkha, and Lungmiwith 30 Army started to work in Heimi Region from March 1976 organizing the people. The Heimi people seeing their young people with sophisticated arms felt very happy and glad as their young people have started to stand for the Naga nation. After nearly three months organizing the people in Heimi Region, they returned to the Oking (HQ) with new recruitments (Boys and girls). The new recruitments took training at the Oking.
On August 14, 1976, the 30th Nagaland Independence Day was celebrated at Süpao village, Eastern part of Khiamniungan Region. After the celebration, on 15th August, all civil and the Army officers 48 of us signed to condemn the Shillong Accord under the leadership of Th. Muivah, NNC General Secretary and Isak Chishi Swu Chaplee Kilonser of the FGN. On 16th August, a new government was formed on the socialistic form of government known as one party one government, centralized government. This was however became a controversial factor in the Eastern Oking.
After the celebration of Independence Day, Khaplang, President of ENRC along with Brig. Thungbo, Chief of the ENRC Army with 15 Army personnel reached the Eastern Oking of the NNC/FGN and stayed up to October, discussing with the NNC/FGN authorities to jointly work for the nation and to completely withdrawal of ENRC from Kachinland.
The 11th trip of the Naga Army Alee (foreign) Mission (200 soldiers) under the Command of Brig. Vedai Muire to China started on 16th August 1976 led by Th. Muivah, NNC General Secretary from Phalungtung village. Khaplang and Brig. Thungbo also went along with them up to Kachinland. The 2nd group 100 soldiers started in January 1977. They met the first group in Kachinland and all together 300 soldiers went to China in 1977. From Heimi region, 75 Naga Army including 3 lady Army (Yung Mat, Kham Rang, Min Lin) were along with them led by Capt. Lungmi and Lt. Sai Sham (s/o Gin Rang).
Following the decision taken with the NNC/FGN authorities, the ENRC completely withdrew from Kachinland and reached home in the last part of 1977.
The 11th trip of Naga Army Alee Mission also returned home and reached Lung Gong village, Hemi Region on 27th January 1978. On first meeting with one of the Alee Mission delegation members Lt. Col. Yamtsethong Khiamniungan on 28th January 1978 at Lolum village (next of Lung Gong), he seriously told me, saying; “our leader Muivah’s policy is wrong. If he doesn’t change his present policy of socialism, fierce fighting might break out among us in Eastern Nagaland. Even we hardly restrained to fight each other on the way. But if the Eastern Naga people Heimi, Konyak, lainong, Khiamniungan, stand united, we can prevent such bloodshed among us”.
While the Naga Army Alee Mission was coming through Heimi region, we met Brig. Thungbo, ENRC Chief of the Army along with 30 of his Army at Hahkun village after 8 days we were coming from Lolum village. And Th. Muivah requested Brig. Thungbo to come to NNC/FGN Eastern Oking along with his Army, and also to inform Khaplang to come to the Oking. Thus, Brig. Thungbo along with his Army were coming with us. And we reached Eastern Oking on March 6, 1978. Khaplang ENRC President also reached the Oking in April 1978.
In April and May, 1978 along with ENRC President Khaplang, we have seriously discussed to solve the differences among the NNC and FGN, leaders. Because Th Muivah contemplated to over throw Phizo’s leadership, the NNC, and to adopt socialism on one side, and the others stand firm to support the NNC, Phizo’s leadership, and democracy of the Nagas. We fervently warned Muivah, saying; if we adopt socialism, the blood of Nagas will run like a river. Phizo has done nothing wrong and we have no reason to overthrow his leadership. The formation of one party one government, centralized government in August 1976 was unconstitutional. We have a Constitution and we should follow accordingly. The democracy is the life style of Naga people from our forefathers and handed it down to us, and therefore the Naga people will never accept socialism. But Muivah never listen to us. But rather incited Isak, saying; “we are leaders, we need not to listen to them”. At that time, Khaplang was fiercely against Muivah’s policy.
On 2nd August 1978, Central Committee meeting held at Sector 2 Naga Army Camp in Lainong Region. Most of important leaders including Khaplang, T. Venuh, Brig. Thungbo, and I failed to attend the meeting. The meeting however adopted to overthrow Phizo’s leadership without consent of other important leaders. The resolution triggered the wrath of Naga Army and declared Martial Law on August 30, 1978 and kept the two leaders (Isak-Muivah) under house arrest. Because they were in rage against Muivah’s policy started from China in 1977. Because Muivah warned all the Naga Army, saying; “Kun kun Phizo piche jabo, guli ek ta ek ta khabo” (If anyone sided with Phizo, will get a bullet each). And he unequivocally advocated to form socialist government while they were in China, the last trip of Naga Army Goodwill Mission.
After six months, the Naga Army administrators headed by the then Col. Khule summoned a meeting to handover the power to the civilians in March 1979. The meeting started on March 9 (Friday) at Lao Konyak village. On that very day morning, the Naga Army declared lifted Martial Law and given the power to the civilians to form a new civilian government, rejecting one party one government, and centralized government formed in August 1976 by Muivah and Isak.
Again, on the same day afternoon, the NNC meeting was held Chaired by Yamtsümong, Regional President of NNC, Khiamniungan Region. The meeting entrusted T. Venuh as Vice President of the Naga National Council, in place of Imkongmaren, Vice President of NNC, who passed away on January 16, 1979. This was done to ignore the Vice President ship of Isak Swu which was made by Th Muivah on August 16, 1976 while the incumbent Vice President of NNC, Imkongmaren was still alive.
The next day, March 10 (Saturday), the merger of the ENRC with the Naga National Council was signed by Khaplang, ENRC President and T. Venuh, NNC Vice President respectively. The chapter of ENRC was thus ended from then on.
On March 12 (Monday) Tatar Hoho (Parliament) Chaired by Ngathingkhui Ahom, (the then Midan Peyu of Thangkhul Region, as we have entrusted him to chair the Tatar Hoho) was held and elected Khaplang as President of FGN. Before starting Tatar Hoho, the Naga National Flag was hoisted by Capt. Neitolie Angami, but hanged at half, cannot pull up or down. This was a precursor of the killing the Naga national leaders by Isak and Muivah started from July 1979 (Killed Lt. Col. Yamtsethong on July 15), and in the last part of 1979 (Nov. Dec.) up to 3rd January 1980.
After Khaplang became FGN President, he released Isak and Muivah from house arrest in May 1979 according to Council of Kilonsers’ decision. The two leaders came to stay with Khaplang in Papung, Khaplang’s HQ Camp. From there, they made conspiracy to kill those who went on against Muivah’s socialism. They killed the Ministers of the FGN, NNC Vice President, Tatar Hoho (Parliament) Speaker and members, Secretary General of FGN, Lieutenant Colonels, Captains, Lieutenants, and Sergeants (wireless operators), 17 of them, before the NSCN was formed on January 31, and GPRN on 2nd February 1980. With the formation of NSCN, the division among the Nagas took place and the blood of Nagas run like a river as we predicted in April 1978.
With this division, the prediction of Brig. Ngam Lao Konyak became true. While the 10th trip Naga Army Alee Mission was coming back home through Kachinland in 1975, Brig. Ngam Lao said; “We should establish Naga Army base in Eastern part of Nagaland, but we should not allow Muivah to stay with us, because his presence with us will surely create division among the Naga national workers”. As Brig. Ngam Lao strongly opposed Muivah’s policy, he killed him on 3rd December, 1975 at 2nd Brigade area of KIA in Kachinland. He was the first victim of Muivah’s socialism. That’s Muivah practically carried out his words, saying; “I will put all Nagas in my pocket like I put my pen into my pocket (showing them putting a pen into his pocket). And whoever opposes my policy, I will kill them like a tiger killing its prey.”Hesaid this in March 1967 at a prayer meeting with Rev. LongriAo while they were starting for the first Naga Army Goodwill Mission to China, Because Rev. LongriAo warned him (Muivah) not to adopt socialism.
As mentioned above, Lt. Col. Yamtsethong expected to prevent the killings among the Nagas by having the eastern Nagas united. But it has gone wrong, because Heimiand Konyak people under the leadership of Khaplang and Col. Khule supported Muivah’s policy. Only Khiamniungan people stood firm against Muivah’s socialism. Thus Khiamniungan people suffered the most. Nearly 600 people of lives lost, houses and granaries burned down, and all live stocks were consumed. Yet up to date, Khiamniungan people stand firm against Muivah’s socialism, to defend the Naga Democracy, and the sovereign independent of Nagaland under the leadership of NNC and FGN.
After 8 years later, Khaplang realized Muivah’s wrong policy and decided to apart from him in April 1988 and drove him away from Eastern Nagaland. Even then he did not work for the national unity and neither admit his misdeed. I visited him three times (Jan. 1991, Sept. 2000, Jan. 2003) and told him to relinquish the NSCN and work for the Naga national unity. The NSCN is only the brain child of Muivah, not of yours, so relinquish it. But he failed to do so. He passed away on 9th June 2017 without admitting his misdeed. In fact to form the NSCN was not the idea and policy of Khaplang, but he supported Muivah’s policy, that was a mistake. But Th Muivah had a long plan to form NSCN since 1967 as mentioned above.
We felt regret because, some of our eastern Naga national leaders’ mistakes, i.e. they supported a wrong policy of Muivah, much bloodshed had taken place in our Eastern Nagaland, good leaders had been lost, and the Naga national solidarity had been shattered.
