Our Correspondent
Kohima | August 14
The Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) today celebrated the Nagaland Independence Day at Chedema Peace Camp near Kohima.
President of the Naga National Council (NNC), Adinno Phizo, whose message was read out in her absence, asserted that “Nagaland is a nation by right.”
The NNC President said “Nagas are fortunate that when that danger came, the people stood firm and fought and resolved the situation in peaceful manner.” “Our past leaders were trustworthy and respectful people. That legacy was handed over to the present generation and we are determined to uphold it,” she stated.
She further questioned “where divide and rule policy is applied, how anyone can expect “unity” and “peace”?” “Occupation comes and goes and even India was under occupation for centuries and became free only 70 years ago. If they value their freedom, can they deny others freedom?” she posed.
The NNC President urged that “good sense must prevail and leave Nagaland soon without interference anymore.” Kedahge of the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN), Gen (Retd) Viyalie Metha meanwhile said that it is high time to take the “bold step which would be honorable for India and good for Nagaland.”
“But until such a day dawns, all Nagas must together rally under its declared independence of August 14, 1947 and the National Plebiscite of May 16, 1951,” he stated.
In course of its nationhood for over 70 years, Metha observed that India “had exposed its own greed over Nagaland through the power of its armed forces under a total ban of access to Nagaland by foreigners and the media in the past and partial ban even today.”
Of late, he pointed out that India started “rampant exploitation of mineral wealth in Nagaland.” “Over and above, this has introduced its nefarious agenda of divide and rule policy with money power to create misunderstanding amongst the Naga people. As a result, India is conniving with few pseudo Naga nationalists attempting to make another settlement on the lines of the 16 Point Agreement of 1960,” he alleged.
The FGN Kedahge however affirmed that “the truth that the Nagas are not Indians and Nagaland is not Indian territory will prevail in the end.” “From the beginning, Naga leaders made their position very clear and plain which was also taken by some Indian leaders, like Mahatma Gandhi. Nagas wanted India to be good neighbors, not enemies,” he asserted.
FGN Killo Kilonser Shevohü Keyho chaired the function. Cultural items were also presented on the occasion. For More... morungexpress.com/?p=294264&preview=true morungexpress.com/?p=294262&preview=true
