FGN 65th Martyrs' Day at Settsü village observed
Morung Express News
Mokokchung | October 18
The Federal Government of Nagaland today observed its 65th Martyrs’ day at Settsü village located a few kilometers away from Mokokchung town organized by the Ao Region ‘chithat (programme) committee’ in a solemn manner.
The Kedallo (vice president) of FGN, I. Temjenba Longkumer read out the tribute speech of Gen. (Retd) Viyalie Metha, Kedahge of the FGN. The Kedahge in his message mentioned that the first Naga martyr to be murdered by Indian forces was Zasibito Nagi of Jotsoma village who was killed in broad daylight on October 18, 1952 and that the day was being observed as Martyr’s Day ever since. It was also mentioned that the programme at Settsü village today was to pay homage and respect to the five men from the village who were massacred on June 16, 1956.
The speech also mentioned the incident that happened at Longpha village of Ao Region on June 6, 1956 where 5 villagers were murdered and the Yengpang village massacres under Chang Region on November 15, 1954 where 65 villagers lost their lives. Mention was also made of the 11 villagers of Ketsapomi village under Chakhesang Region who were shot to death as “target practice” by Indian soldiers on April 13, 1956 and the 9 victims of Matikhrii village incident under Pochury Region on September 6, 1960. “On this 65th national Martyrs’ day, the nation wishes to pay tribute to all our people who have laid down their lives for the nation,” it read.
The message also “put on record” that “in all these many years of conflict, the Ao region has also played its role second to none.” The Kedahge also mentioned that however great and noble the past may be, “we cannot live in the past. We also cannot dream of a bright future without doing what we should do in the present.” He also conveyed that his generation had given their “best and utmost for the nation” and so that “today’s generation can have a country they can call their own.” The Kedahge also called upon the younger generation to “pick up the baton of our political torch and run on until the race for our national objective is achieved.”
“As long as a foreign flag continue to fly in our lands, the sacrifices of yesterday remain an unfulfilled dream,” he added, and continued that so long as “the enemy continues to occupy our land and oppress us, that long are we duty bound to resist the enemy and oppose him.”
Short speeches were also delivered by Kaka D. Iralu, Kilonser, FGN and Lhouvitsü, Speaker, Tatar Hoho, FGN. The programme culminated with a mass prayer. The event was chaired by K. Lepzüng Jamir, Secretary of Ao Region FGN and welcome address was delivered by Imli, GB Settsü Village followed by the singing of national anthem led by the Settsü Students’ Union. The gathering also paid homage to the fallen martyrs by observing a 2 minute silence and prayer led by the village pastor. Settsü village, the venue of today’s Martyrs’ Day ‘chithat’ is a small Ao village situated some 10 kilometers from Mokokchung town and located between two of the biggest Ao villages, Ungma and Longkhum.
The ‘chithat’ was solemnly held at the site of the headstone erected in memory of 5 innocent villagers of Settsü killed by Indian armed forces on June 16, 1956. A poignant epitaph is inscribed on the headstone followed by the names of the 5 fallen martyrs. The year 1956 is a dark memory in the history of Settsü village as they were twice ‘grouped’ with Ungma village that year. On June 16 of the same year, it is said that the Indian armed forces rounded up the villagers working on their paddy fields and were tied and tortured. Later that day, 6 of the villagers were lined up with their hands tied and shot at by the firing squad. One of them, Merenchiba, survived the firing squad as he escaped into the jungle after he managed to loosen his tied hands while the other 5 villagers fell on the ground lifeless. The five fallen villagers were I.Tsükjemmeri, a G.B. of the village, L. Imtongkokba, the village church ‘chowkidar’, S.Temjenwati, Anchaba and Danba.
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