Yesterday’s Naga political movement of strict code of conduct was clear, honest and genuine. But with the varied streams of interest that came to participate in the movement, it gradually turned murky. And so, the present generation faces the task of sifting through diverse opportunities in order to achieve re-identification with our priorities. The interest of this paper is to try to find a way through today’s maze which has somehow grown out of the solid rock of yesterday and its clear vision. The author derives inspiration from the model-leader, late Khrisanisa Seyie to whose life and convictions the larger part of the paper has been devoted.
Incessant persecution and death of Nagas, especially Free Nagas at the hands of Indian Armed Forces led our pioneers to the conviction that a government of our own is a necessity; without it, the efforts of our young men at self-defence were in vain. And so, our leaders both the NNC and Free Naga Government came to the decision to form a government. Their efforts culminated in the formation of the Federal Government of Nagaland of the Naga National Council on March 22, 1956, and with the leader of Free Naga Government Mr. Hongkhin as Chairman and Gen. Thongti Chang as Chief of Naga Home Guards, a Constitution was framed. The day stands as evidence of our pioneers’ vision and depth.
The Naga General Meeting which was held for three days elected Mr. Khrisanisa Seyie as Kedahge (President) Federal Government of Nagaland on July 12, 1956 at Sanis village. The Committee committed to the election had earlier proposed 32 year old Mr. Scato Swu who did not qualify as per the Yehzabo (Constitution) of the Federal Government of Nagaland, being less than 43 yrs in age; Mr. Khrisanisa was invited for the post after Mr. Imkongmeren vehemently refused it. So when Mr. Khrisanisa stood up in his ‘kecüni’, the 4000-strong assembly welcomed him with loud applause. A “Security Meeting” was held in the house of Mr. MC Murry at Sanis after the election of Kedahge which decided to send NNC President AZ Phizo abroad.
Khrisanisa was the son of Zhavi-u Seyie of Khonoma village. Without the advantage of much formal education, he was a man of great honour. Large-hearted and patient, he courageously toiled pinning all hope on God. When NNC was formed, Khrisanisa became the first President of Western Angami Group when Mr. Lhouwhetuo Nagi was the General Secretary. From February 1947 he held the office for two terms till they were replaced in the next election in February 1953 by Mr. Jasokie and Mr. Dolhucha Chase President and General Secretary respectively. He was part of the Naga delegation that met Mahatma Gandhi at Bhangi colong, Delhi in July 1947, and remained a most dedicated and active part of the NNC. Former Kedahge, FGN, Scato Swu on the occasion of the commemoration of Lt. Khrisanisa on 28th Feb. 2007 at Khonoma, fondly quoted him whose wealth was poverty and fortitude: “Let not your words die ahead of you”.
A man of principle, he exhibited courage and moral strength when he relinquished the prestigious Kedahge post on February 18, 1959 when he learnt that his family had returned to Kohima from their camp during the so-called General Amnesty which was wrongly construed by Indian authorities as an act of surrender to Indian Government. Even so, he boldly declared that he shall never exhort and encourage Naga youth. He also spent years in prayer for Naga nationhood at Chathe Prayer Centre.
The persisting Naga political problem leaves the ball entirely in the hands of the Nagas to eliminate fratricide, nepotism, factionalism, etc. which our history is alien to. Some ray of hope is felt in the possible uniting of the different national political groups. The answer lies in our sincere and humble seeking for God’s wisdom and in being united. This is a great opportunity missing which will be a heinous crime and unpardonable failure on our part. That we know the solution but not the problem is, I think, the reason why the solution is taking this long.
All said, we have reason to be grateful to history for the hardships we have borne and overcome; our sufferings at the hands of Indian Army is reason for rejoicing as suffering begets persistence, persistence begets character and character gives hope and a future. Let us ape Alexander Solzhenitsyn of Russia who spoke, “The lie may come into the world and dominate it, but not through me”. It is a bit of lie you and I are guilty of that make us recoil from each other in suspicion and fear and hide behind superficial defences of propaganda, factionalism, fratricide, corruption, etc. This day challenges each Naga to be firm not to partake of that bit of lie each can be a carrier of. This achieved, a Naga nationhood locked together in trust, harmony and real unity will no longer be a fallacy. May a common past of pain, honour and triumph help us to become proud contributors to a worthy shackle-free future not compromised by betrayal of fellow-patriots by sacrifice of sovereignty.
Zapuvisie Lhousa,
CEC Member, NNC
