Thepushuyi Keyho
President, NNC
My dear fellow Nagas, on behalf of the Naga National Council I convey my greetings and best wishes to the Naga people on this historic ‘Naga Plebiscite Day’.
I also give all glory and honour to our almighty God who is our defender and protector.
On this day of May 16, Naga National Council (NNC) organised the historic event, the Voluntary Plebiscite of 1951, which was conducted by the NNC under the leadership of Dr. A.Z Phizo, the then President of NNC, where 99% of the Nagas showed an overwhelming majority in favour of sovereignty. It was a time when Naga people exercised their right to self-determination, boldly exerting their identity and aspiration for sovereignty.
Therefore, NNC urges all the Nagas to come in to one accord, respecting and honouring what our predecessors achieved on this day the 16th May by showing to the world that Nagas are an independent nation and that Nagas do not want to live under any other nations be it now or even in the future. We also salute them for opening wider doors for the greater good of the coming generation. We are grateful to our pioneer leaders for their fore-seeing thinking and courage.
Nagas were sovereign and independent even before the British settlement. Thereby, Naga Plebiscite of 1951 was conducted, an event that sought the people’s desire to live as a free nation as before and not to joined the Indian Union.NNC will never accept to live under the Indian constitution nor acknowledge any agreement to accept the Indian Constitution.
The then President NNC Dr. A. Z Phizo, who is regarded as the father of the Naga Nation played a crucial role in shaping the Naga Independence Movement. AZ Phizo’s ideology was grounded in belief that Naga people have an inherent right to self-determination based on their unique cultural and historical identity. He argued that the Nagas are never part of Indian and that their forced inclusion in the Indian Union is a violation to their fundamental rights. He advocate for a peaceful but firm stance on Naga Sovereignty.
Therefore, our commitment to the principle of NNC and to Democracy, Justice, Equality and our stand on the Naga Plebiscite of 16th May 1951 has been the guiding light, steering us towards liberty.
As we celebrate the ‘Naga Plebiscite Day’ and look towards the future let us reaffirm our commitment to unity. Let us strive to bridge the gaps that divide us to confront the challenges that lie ahead with unwavering resolve and to build a brighter tomorrow for generation to come.
Kuknalim!
