Chizokho Vero
Shupfonho (Mao Gate) | August 27
Naga Unification Day was observed here today under the aegis of the United Naga Council in memory and honour of those who suffered and made the ultimate sacrifice for the integration of all Nagas 58 years ago.
Speaking on the occasion, Naga Hoho president I. Bendangmayang Jamir asserted that Naga people should come together and give collective wisdom. He stated that the Naga Hoho stood to protect the interest of Nagas without siding or being biased to any body or group. Naga Hoho always insist on equality and treats all freedom fighters equally, he continued.
Asserting that Nagas should come together, he said “We are one family. We have to live under one administrative umbrella.” In memory and honour of those who suffered and made the ultimate sacrifice for the integration of all Nagas fifty eight years ago during the No-Tax campaign, the Mao Students’ Union has perpetuated this day (August 27) in memory by observing it as “The Martyrs’ Day, a pamphlet distributed on the occasion said.
“Being a landmark in the history of political movement of the Nagas in Manipur in particular and all Nagas in general, the observation of Martyrs Day on 27 August 2005, last year was taken up by the United Naga Council (UNC) with the Memei Hoho as the local organizing Committee, it said.
UNC president Paul Leo while reading out the pamphlet on the occasion said that the no-tax campaign for unification of Nagas continues today.
“Carrying forward the movement to secure the wish of the Naga people to live together, the Naga people in the Naga People’s Convention (NPC) held on 4th November, 2005 under the banner of the United Naga Council, at Taphou Village Tahamzam (Senapati District) declared the launching of non-cooperation and civil disobedience movement against the Government of Manipur for achieving the integration/unification of Nagas under one administration,” it said.
In pursuance of the declaration, it said, the Naga chiefs/village authorities in Manipur have returned the red blankets to the state government through respective district administration. The names of villages, districts etc have been changed to indigenous names. Hill house tax for the year 2006 of all the 93227 Naga households in Manipur have not been paid to the Government of Manipur but have instead been collected under the aegis of the United Naga Council for onwards payment to Delhi/Kohima.
The consolidated expression of non-cooperation of the Naga people includes the move of the All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) for affiliation of schools and colleges in the Naga districts of Manipur to the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE) and the Nagaland University (NU), whereby 156 private schools in Naga areas have already introduced the NBSE’s prescribed syllabus from the academic session 2006, it said.
“While the Government of Manipur and the community dominating it have tried every means to invalidate and sabotage the movement for unification of Nagas, the Nagas have steadfastly grown stronger and more determined in their resolve to achieve their dreams to live together,” the pamphlet stated.
It also stated that in the declaration and memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister of India on December 12, 2005 at New Delhi, the Chiefs/chairman/headman of Naga villages in the present state of Manipur stated in no uncertain terms” that any honourable solution to the Naga peace process must begin with the unification of the Naga areas”.
“It is therefore befitting that the Martyrs Day, on which lives were gallantly laid down for Naga unification is today celebrated as the Naga Unification Day under the aegis of the United Naga Council, to honour and remember the Martyrs of the 27/8/48 and to reaffirm our conviction for unification of the Naga people, undivided by arbitrary boundaries,” it added.
Earlier, Mao Students Union president chaired the function. The occasion also witnessed a moment of silence in remembrance of those who “gave their all.” Songs, blessings from elder, reliving the day of sacrifice by surviving volunteers, their relatives and friends also marked the occasion.
Morung Express News
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