Rev Dr VK Nuh
When India had consisted of 562 Princely States, they were under British imperial rule. The political unity of India was still in a dream century. What Maurya Dynasty, Gupta Dynasty and Mughal Empire attempted to make a great effort to unify India has become a failure.
It was when people of India were under the yoke of British imperial there were enough troubles in the country indicated general unrest, crime and murder increase, street quarrel were even seen in everywhere. The European thinker for India cleared endanger of British regime, at this critical situation Allen Octavian ICS retired British Officer appeal to the educated India.
“And of amongst even you, the elite, fifty men cannot found with sufficient power of self-sacrifice, sufficient love for and pride in their country, sufficient genuine and unselfish heartfelt patriotism to take initiative, and if needs be, devote the rest of their lives in the Cause- then there is hope for India. Her sons must and remain mere humble and helpless instruments in the hands of foreign rulers, for ’they would be free, themselves must strive the blow”. These appeal 72 volunteers to come forward from different parts of India and thus, Indian National Congress came into existence on December 28, 1885, Surprisingly WC Banerjee became first President of India National Congress who happened to be a Christian. Thereby Hindus, Muslims Christians and others united and fought for freedom and India became free and independent on August 15, 1947 but it became forgotten history.
Sir James Johnstone Major General said on 1886 while it has never been suggested before the British rule, the Naga Hills were never an Integral Part of India. It has been suggested that there were period in the revolt where Naga Chief owed allegiance or paid tribute to Ahom King of Assam, before the British conquest, Assam itself not then being part of India.
Naga people were the last to fall into British Empire. It was February 20th 1851 the bloodiest battle was fought at Kikrüma Village, consequently then the Governor General of British Empire Lord Dalhousie in Calcutta adopted new Policy of no interference to Naga Sovereignty. But Naga continued to disturb British Administration in the erstwhile Assam. Then the Khonoma battle was the last battle with British and Naga fell under British Empire in 1880.
For centuries no foreign subjected Naga people except British conquer some part of Naga Hills and rule for 70 years shortest British Empire.
When British decided to give her Empire they set up Statutory Commission headed by Simon Commission they came to Kohima to see the opinion of Naga people.
A few Naga elite under the Naga club submitted Memorandum in 1929 consisting of 20 members “by saying leave us alone to determine for ourselves as in ancient times”, thereby British Parliament declared in 1935 EXCLUDED AREA.
As time came for British to handover the power to India, the Naga Delegation led by AZ Phizo had met MK Gandhi at Bhangi Colony in Delhi, then MK Gandhi said, “If you are not Indian, your country does not belong to India, then the matter ends there. Nobody will force you to join Indian Union”, with this message Naga people hoisted their flag on August 14, 1947, one day ahead of India’s Independence. And conducted people’s Plebiscite on May 16, 1951, with 99.9 % in favour of complete Independence. But India send its troops in October 1955 into Tuensang Frontier then all over Naga. (My Years with Nehru 1948-64, by BN Mulich Chief Intelligent Bureau of India).
It is purely an invasion. Nagas has fought for more than 70 years against Indian occupation with declared conviction by Alee Commission 1964 “the Naga people love peace, but they cannot afford to let their land be occupied by the sheer military forces of the egression, and so long as the invading forces would be there, that long the Naga are bound to fight”.. However, NBCC knew the importance of Peace, peace mission was set up in 1964 consist of PB Chaliha, Jaya Prakash Narayan and Rev. Michael Scott and on 6th September 1964 the ceasefire was signed. Several rounds of talk were conducted and continued for three years but unfortunately came to an end but resumed again and peace talk is conducted till up to date. Last 25 years peace talk is continuing with NSCN (IM) and NNPGs and Naga people supports the peace talks. For the last 25 years of talks nothing has come to concrete resolution due to lack of political will from the GOI side. So, now Naga people are constantly appealing GOI and Naga Political Group to come to the concrete final solution. Therefore Naga people from all walks of life urges the GOI to speed up the matter so there will be everlasting peace to end the longest freedom struggle in the entire Southeast Asia.
