Dimapur, January 3 (MExN): “Truly we are very unfortunate that today in Nagaland the situation turned into a very different and more ugly situation owing to both internal and external elements. However, it will not pull on like this endlessly,” said Viyalie Metha, the Kedahge Gen (Retd), FGN on the occasion of its 44th Naga Army Day and hoped that a time would come to make use of the rich past experiences to restore normalcy and peace that would open the way to strengthen the nation.
Metha appealed to work together to overcome falsehood and aggressor acts by honestly and boldly upholding national foundation and international behaviour and conduct that may be acceptable before God.
He said that on January 3 was observed as the Naga Army Day by the Naga Army ever since it’s raising day on January 3, 1964 by the FGN and continued that the raising of the Naga Army was rooted on a very noble and humble foundation by patriotic Nagas in defense of Nagaland against the aggressor India. “On this day, and every day, Nagaland shall honour and salute all those who fought against the invading forces of both Indian and Myanmar,” he stated.
Recalling the past, he said that India launched an undeclared war on Nagaland in 1954 with the sole intention of ‘invading’ Nagaland. Upon which, Nagas were left with no choice but to defend the sovereignty of Nagaland. Thus, brave and courageous Nagas rose in defense of land and people from every village formed the Naga Safe Guard (NSG) under the command of Gen Thongti Chang. It was a war, where many Nagas gave their precious lives as volunteer force of the Naga Safe Guards, Metha’s message stated.
He disclosed that the Indo-Naga war inflicted heavy toll of deaths and various kinds of atrocities on the Nagas and besides that villages and granaries were burnt. These horrible acts of genocide launched by India continued unabated in Nagaland hidden from the outside world and maintained that in order to resist the horrible acts of India, the NSG was raised to the Naga Home Guard (NHG) in 1956, with Gen. Kaito Sukhai, as the C-in-C.
Metha pointed out that Nagaland as a sovereign nation, cannot do without a standing army to defend and protect its country and its citizens. “This requirement was formally done on January 3, 1964 by transforming the NHG to the Naga Army, with Gen Mowu Gwizan, as the 1st Commander-in-Chief,” Metha said.
To strengthen friendly relation with foreign countries, he said that the FGN had undertaken ‘Good Will Alee’ (Foreign) Mission where the Naga Army were assigned and entrusted to go outside Nagaland. “In most of the ‘Good Will Alee’ trips Naga Army succeeded in its entrustments taking great risk of life in the interest of Naga people and Nagaland,” he disclosed.
Stating about Naga national workers of NNC and FGN, he said that the workers could maintain ‘Peace’ and ‘Unity’ in past years as far as possible. “And the war that broke out in 1954 between the two peoples, India and Nagaland were brought to a halt where the chosen church leaders of NBCC did its best to create Nagaland Peace Mission and the Nagaland Peace Council,” he added.
Initiative on wrong footing
In another statement received today the MIP NSCN (IM) commented “given the years of hardships with many lost of lives, there will undoubtedly be no single Naga across Nagalim who will not vouch for Naga unification. But the unfortunate thing as seen today is the exploitation of this issue on an emotional line to further enhance sectarian interest which is far from serving the purpose of the whole Naga”.
The MIP added “the NSCN never questions the initiative of anyone on the issue of peace and unity. Question was only raised when one started on wrong footing without taking the NSCN/GPRN authority into confidence. Because Azheto Chophy happened to be GPRN’s Kilo Kilonser and the violation thereof the mandatory adherence to principle guidelines and official code of conduct that binds every national worker, high and low. After all, an approach to the magnitude of Naga unification, otherwise motivated by ulterior design, will go the way of a very transparent manner”.
Besides it said “it is ridiculous for the Western Sumi Hoho to speak of Naga history. It will be an embarrassment for the WSH if historical facts are to be dug out; but for the faithful and die-hard Sumi National workers who have lived up to the Naga national principles, it is best left to the unfolding situation to reveal the true color of each national worker, irrespective of tribe and to prove their worth”.
The statement elaborated stating “in the given situation where Azheto Chophy has been listed among the National Traitors, the same stigma is to be attached to those who have gone along with Azheto if they fail to come back within the stipulated period. As such, “traitors and defaulters” will henceforth be treated in the manner they deserved and there will be no compromise whatsoever”.
