Dimapur, June 28 (MExN): Several organizations and individuals today mourned the death of the Chairman of NSCN (IM), Isak Chishi Swu and paid rich tributes to him. He died in New Delhi on June 28. In condolence messages, the organizations and individuals offered condolences to the bereaved family and also NSCN (IM).
ENPO: The Eastern Nagaland Peoples’ Organisation (ENPO) thanked Isak Chishi Swu for taking the Naga cause to such a higher level devoting his entire life. “All people who knew him greatly respected him, and for which, the ENPO shall always cherish the memory of his sincere dedication for the Nagas as a leader,” ENPO stated.
FNR: Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) recollected that ever since the Forum was formed in March 2008, Isak Chishi Swu extended his unwavering support to the works and initiatives of the Forum. “Isak Chishi Swu may no more be with us in physical form, but his spirit, his works and his leadership as a pioneer of the Naga National movement till his last breath, is a testimony of the firmest of Naga rights, who was not only a friend and leader of the Nagas, but also of the world’s community. Even as a very elderly person, age and years did not deter him and he moved and worked, poised with commitments as belonging to all and was never limited by walls of separation,” FNR stated. “And as Chairman Swu passionately gave unreserved support to Naga Reconciliation, in his death, let all Nagas conquer and abolish alienations amongst us, even as we recall his last message on March 22, 2016, where he asked all Nagas to ‘unite in the spirit of forgiveness’.”
WSH: The Western Sumi Hoho and its frontal organizations –Western Sumi Kukami Hoho, Western Sumi Totimi Hoho, Western Sumi Youth Front, Sumi Officers’ Union Dimapur, Western Sumi Students’ Union, and Western Sumi Sports Association have expressed sorrow at the death of Isak Chishi Swu and stated that Nagas have lost a great and visionary leader who sacrificed his entire life to fight for the rights of Naga people. Meanwhile, the Western Sumi Hoho informed that the hiyam (office) of the Hoho will remain open to assist the arrival of mortal remains of the departed leader. Following mobile numbers 9862950893, 9856479241, 9856157009, 9436003829 and 9436000464 may be contacted for any information and assistance.
RNPO: The Rongmei Naga People Organisation (RNPO) stated, “The Rongmei people have been looking at his (Isak) leadership as a star in the sky of Naga Nation…His disappearance in the Naga sphere has darkened the sky of Naga Nation with sorrow and a sense of great loss… To the Rongmei people, he was the man with Naga vision of hope and freedom.” The organisation highlighted that there is a dire need for next and right leader now because “Nagas could not go a step without their leader in position.”
WYSU: The Western Yimchungru Student's Union (WYSU) saluted late Isak Chishi Swu as a pioneer and torch bearer of the Naga political movement. “The struggles and sacrifices he endured for the Nagas are remembered in gratitude. His vision and endeavour at ushering the Naga Political Movement for early settlement and ceasefire with GOI while making the issue international is a historical feat,” stated WYSU. “We, the present generation are indebted to carry on his legacy forward so that the efforts he has initiated for peace among Nagas may not be in vain.”
NSF: The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) remembered Isak as a person who had selflessly contributed all the best days of his life till his last breath to bring solution to the long protracted Indo-Naga political talk vis-à-vis peace process. Meanwhile, it recounted that when a delegation of NSF last met Isak at the hospital in New Delhi, his spirit of nationalism and aspiration for the Nagas was never overshadowed by his illness and he was always optimistic that the Nagas will achieve the long cherished dream. He was a person who had the caliber and capacity to lead his countrymen and a person who loved and zealously supported and defended his country, stated NSF.
NSCN (R): President of NSCN (Reformation), Y. Wangtin Naga has described Isak Chishi Swu as a big star among the stars. “Late Isak was an unmatchable Naga leader who led the Naga struggle in his whole life accepting and challenging the daily ups and downs as natural in politics, he never parted from Naga history,” stated Wangtin. “He stood as a great warrior and led Naga struggle during the toughest political crisis between 1960's and 1990's and ultimately bestowed peace in Naga country.” During Isak’s lifetime, the message said, the NSCN (IM) attained the membership of UNPO on behalf of Nagas and the recent Framework Agreement with GoI.
NPLFM: The Naga Political Leaders Forum Manipur (NPLFM) has expressed that Isak Chishi Swu’s death in this crucial juncture is a tragic moment for all the Nagas. “However, when we retrospect the Naga national movement, our beloved leader Late Isak Chishi Swu had led the Naga people for more than half a century upto the signing of the historic framework agreement signed between the Government of India and NSCN on the 3rdAugust, 2015 in New Delhi,” NPLFM said. “Late Isak Chishi Swu was a leader whose integrity was beyond our comprehension. He was a born leader to lead the Nagas to the comity of nations."
NLA Speaker: Speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Chotisuh Sazo declared that in Isak’s death, Nagas have lost a true patriot and leader who had made lifelong sacrifice to the cause of the Nagas.
Naga Council: Naga Council Dimapur acknowledged that the vacuum created by the demise of the NSCN (IM) Chairman will be difficult to fill in such a crucial time of finding amicable political solution. It further prayed that the bereaved family members will be consoled and the departed soul will rest in peace.
NMA: The Naga Mothers' Association (NMA) stated that Isak Chishi Swu was a leader totally committed to the Naga cause of freedom for the Nagas and lived strictly by his steadfast faith in God and the right of the Naga people. Acknowledging him as a man of principle, humble and soft spoken, NMA said Isak spent his entire life for the nation. “His demise at this critical time in our history has left a void which can never be filled.” The NMA further said that the Association in its many journeys and meeting on peace dialogues saw his passion for the Naga people and felt his deep concern and respect for Naga women and the future generation.
Tangkhul Hoho Nagaland: The Tangkhul Hoho Nagaland also expressed shock at the sudden demise of Isak Chishi Swu. “The man who gave his all for Naga people and fought for the rights of his people is gone today to be with God but he will always be in our hearts and still be our strength,” stated the Hoho. “The end of the great legendary leader is a great, great loss for Nagas.” It further shared their grief to the bereaved family members.
DDGBA: Dimapur District GBs Association stated Isak chishi Swu was a real patriot, who dedicated entire life in the Naga freedom struggle till his death.
NPC: The members of Nagaland Peace Centre (NPC), Kohima have also mourned the demise stating “we lost a visionary leader whose tireless efforts for the cause of Naga sovereignty and integration speaks volumes.”
NCSU: The Nagaland Contractors’ & Suppliers’ Union (NCSU), Head Office Kohima stated that Isak Chishi Swu sacrificed his whole life for the cause of Nagas. “And today under his leadership, Government of India recognized the uniqueness of Nagas… for which we deeply honour and salute him,” stated NCSU.
PPC: Phom Peoples’ Council (PPC) with sorrow has expressed that in the NSCN (IM) Chairman’s death, the Nagas have lost a good and sincere leader.
BJP: BJP Nagaland said Isak’s honesty and forthright determination to lead the Nagas despite tough challenges and obstacles is an example for Naga leaders to emulate. The signing of the Framework Agreement for solution to the Naga political struggle between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM) was a landmark achievement of the collective leadership of the NSCN (IM) under the chairmanship of Isak Chishi Swu, it added.
NPF: The Naga People’s Front (NPF) Central office stated it was providential that charismatic leaders like Isak sacrificed their personal comforts and prosperity for the cause of the common good of the Nagas. “He was indeed, a true soldier of the people ready to lay down his life for his people,” NPF said. It further stated that the most appropriate tribute to his innumerable sacrifices and contributions to the Naga people all these decades will be if all sections of the Naga people strive together to fulfill his one and only aim in life - to bring an honourable and acceptable solution to the Naga political problem.
NPCC: NPCC recollected that during his time in foreign service, Isak was instrumental in garnering international support for the Naga cause. “Late Mr. Swu sacrificed his life for the political destiny of the Naga people and was a proponent of reconciliation towards which end, he worked tirelessly. His immense contributions to the saga of Naga sovereignty cannot be addressed in a short letter but he was a one of a kind leader whose legacy will continue to live on in the annals of History and will be remembered for generations to come,” stated NPCC President, K Therie.
Chandel orgs: Several civil organizations, including Chandel Naga People’s Organisation (CNPO), Naga Women Union Chandel, Naga Students' Union Chandel, Naga Chiefs' Association Chandel, Anal, Aimol, Chothe, Lamkang, Maring, Monsang, Moyon, Tarao and Khoibu tribe unions today paid respect and honour to Isak Chishi Swu in a condolence meeting, which was organised by CNPO at it office located in district headquarters Chandel Town. As a mark of respect and mourning, a two minute silence was observed during the meeting and all business establishment and shops remained closed. Several leaders spoke and remembered the great work contributed by Isak Chishi Swu towards the cause of Nagas.
LHD: Expressing sorrow over the death, Lotha Hoho Dimapur stated that the sacrificial works rendered by Isak Chishi Swu will be remembered and cherished by the Naga posterity.
NC: Nagaland Congress (NC) President, Nillo Rengma said that Isak’s departure at this crucial time when the Naga people are eagerly awaiting a solution to the political problem is a great loss. “All his life, since he joined the Naga political movement in the late 1950s he had sacrificed everything for the cause of the Nagas up to the last of his breath. It is lamentable that he could not see the final result of his life struggle... We salute him and thank him for bringing the Naga cause thus far.”
RCN: The Rongmei Council Nagaland (RCN) recognized that Isak dedicated his entire life truly for the cause of the Nagas. “He has proven himself not only as a leader but also a peace-loving and god-fearing person,” RCN said. “His contributions to Naga political aspirations especially towards signing of the Framework Agreement will always be remembered in the days to come.”
BAN: Business Association of Nagas (BAN) stated that only the strength of the message Isak gave to the Naga people through his years of living and giving has “afforded us the strength to move forward as a nation with a common destiny.” BAN considered the achievements of the “God fearing, noble and patriotic son of Nagas as a great legacy, which is worthy of honor.”
NPMHR: Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) termed Chairman Isak Chishi Swu as a selfless leader in his own right. “He is a leader not only of the Naga people as a pioneer of the Naga political movement, but a fatherly figure who is highly respected by the International community and the people and leaders of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organizations, who are all struggling for their rights of self-determination,” said NPMHR Secretary General, Neingulo Krome. NPMHR saluted Isak for the leadership he has given, and the sacrifices he has made which are unknown to so many people.
