Morung Express News
October 17
Dimapur: Zasibito Nagi, the first Naga martyr, was shot dead by a police officer on October 18, 1952 at Kohima during the course of a silent procession which was being carried out as a mark of protest against the atrocities committed by Police throughout Nagaland. The protestors were particularly voicing their dissent over the brutal torture of a Naga boy.
While stating this, General (Retd) I Panger Walling, President of the Naga National Council (NNC-Panger) earnestly requested all ‘fellow citizens’ to give vent to reconciliation “which is the only solution to our vexed Naga problem.” Recounting instances of past injustices perpetrated upon Nagas, the NNC President said, “The Naga people revolted with arms and fought many battles against the Indians in which many Naga heroes lost their lives. On this commemoration of Martyrs’ Day, I, on our nation’s behalf call upon each and every one of the Nagas to remember our heroes who gave their lives for (our) tomorrow.” On the observance of Martyrs’ Day in remembrance of “brothers killed by brothers” while fighting against each other, Panger has said that the naming of those killed in fratricidal killings is ‘a shame to the Nation in particular and the world as a whole.’
“May I now proclaim to all the true Naga citizens to condemn these shameful activities among the Nagas. And let us join together in a chorus with the concepts of forget and forgive of the past misgivings among us,” he announced.
Speaking along the same lines, General (Retd) V Metha, the Kedaghe of the FGN said that after the killing of Zasibito Nagi by Indian armed forces many Naga leaders, patriots and innocent villagers in thousands fell victim to India’s aggression “which continues till today.” The Kedaghe stated that Nagas could never forget the “horrible act of naked aggression” and massacres committed at Yangphang Village of Chang region on November 15, 1954, and Matikhrü Village of Pochury region on September 6, 1960. “The Naga people and the Federal Government pay homage to all who had fallen martyrs in the hands of the aggressor India, the living Nagas today, stand assured that their dead shall not go in vain,” he said.
Metha has, on this occasion, also called upon every Naga while paying homage to “our leaders who sacrificed their all” to give them respect and honour. “Remember, for without their sacrifice we would not stand where we are today, he said.
Panger’s recollections
• On June 6 1956, Repayangba of Chami Village, Mokokchung District, a deacon in his church was called out of his house and without even asking a single word was shot dead in the early morning hours of the day when all the village folk were preparing their meals and programmes for their day’s work as usual. After a while, the killers left the village laying the dead body in a pool of blood. His mud soaked body was discarded just like that of a dead animal.
• On January 7 1957, a village elder named Imrongtuden of Longpa Village in Mokokchung District was arrested by personnel of the Rajputana Rifles under the command of a Colonel. He was packed in a gunny bag and taken to their sub-camp at Mopongchuket where he was beaten profusely. He was then taken to their camp at Mokokchung and beaten black and blue. The commander at the camp ordered his men to splash cold water on Imrongtuden’s back where he was slogged. The commander then ordered that hot water be poured on the wounds of the arrested saying that he might be feeling cold.
