Gen (Retd) Viyalie Metha, former Kedahge, FGN, deliver short speech during 76th Naga Voluntary Plebiscite Day at Chedema on May 16.
Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 16
The Naga National Council (NNC) observed 76th Naga Voluntary Plebiscite Day at Peace Hall, Chedema near Kohima on May 16.
NNC president Adinno Phizo called upon all Nagas “to uphold the historical truth, remain resolute and dedicated in our democratic fight against occupation.”
“History is on our side. We have nothing to fear or be discouraged. In unity with one voice, we should stand by the position established by our grand fathers and fathers, Adinno Phizo stated in her message read out by NNC joint secretary Zhoshelü Khamo.
“The August 14, 1947 declaration and May 16, 1951 plebiscite mandate are the pillars of our sovereignty right. Let us all stand united and move forward on the path charted by our past leaders,” Phizo stated.
Stating that sovereignty is a God-given inherent right for Nagas, Phizo stated “Let as cherish it. To free our country from foreign occupation is our national duty. Let us seek God again to lead us as in the days of our grand fathers and fathers.”
She stated that May 16 marks a historic day for Nagas, “the day our grand-fathers and fathers firmly asserted the independent status of Nagaland through a voluntary plebiscite. It was not a sudden thought-out emotional decision. It was a calculated move, as the situation demanded.
Adinno stated that Nagas are not Indians and the Naga territories were not Indian territories, adding that the Naga ancestors practised and enjoyed self-rule in a republic village state. Democracy was their way of life.
Phizo stated that the British administration in the so-called Naga Hills district from 1880 to 1947 was for maintenance of peace only.
She stated that Naga National Council (NNC) declared Naga independence on August 14, 1947, one full day ahead of India's independence. By then, the Nagas had already conceptualized the idea of integrating the ancient republic village states and constitute into a separate modern nation state, sovereign by right of history and choice.
She stated that on May 16, 1951, the national plebiscite was conducted under the leadership of A. Z. Phizo, the NNC President at Kohima in the presence of an Indian observer and the result was an outstanding 99.9% mandate for sovereignty.
“Our's is an established nation by right of independence declaration and irrefutable plebiscite mandate. As a sovereign state, we have in place, our own government; the Federal Government of Nagaland. Our's was not a revolution at any point of time. Be it known to all Nagas that, stages such as movement for self-determination had long passed. The independence declaration had superceded all such processes. To the Nagas, words such as movement and self-determination are mere semantics coined by our adversaries and their collaborators to confuse the people, internally as well as externally,” Adinno stated.
Later, Gen. (Retd) Viyalie Metha, former Kedahge, Federal Government of Nagaland delivered a short speech.
Earlier, Bible reading and prayer was led by Neizo Pienyü, pastor Chedema Baptist Church.
Chedema BKK and K. Heshu & friends presented special songs.
The programme concluded with mass prayer.
