‘Rise not as an individual, but as a collective force’

Kiumukam Yimkhiung 
President, NNC/GDRN (N-A)

Dear comrades and countrymen, on this auspicious and historic occasion of 78th Naga Independence, I give glory and honour to our Almighty God for bestowing us the opportunity to once again celebrate this historic day.

On this 78th anniversary of our Naga Independence, I most humbly pay my homage and salute all the pioneers and stalwarts for their visionary leadership, indomitable courage, faith and belief, with which they carried out their ardent yoke for our present Naga generation could proudly proclaim our birth right as a Naga and a Nation. 

I on behalf of all comrades, salute all the brave hearted departed brothers and sisters for their supreme sacrifices and for establishing the foundation of Naga Nation. They shall forever live in our hearts for generation, Today I join the nation in paying my homage to all the martyrs and all the patriots who are no more with us today.

The Naga Nationalism in essence is a mass movement for the restoration of our political and historical rights. It started with the resistance of British colonizers and later with the Indian imperialism, The Naga since then had been fighting for free homeland and resisting the oppressive occupational forces of India and Myanmar on our land, ever since the British left the Indian sub-Continent. Nagas have always been fierce lover of freedom and equality, our aspiration has always been for self determination and for free Nation. The Memorandum submitted to the British Simon Commission on 10th Jan. 1929 by the Naga Club, “... to leave us alone to determine ourselves as in ancient times” in the event of British withdrawal from India, but the silent of the British govt for Naga self determination let to the NNC to declare Naga Independence a day before India’s Independence on 14th August 1947 and to augment the declaration the NNC conducted the plebiscite on 16th May 1951 where in 99.9%  voted for free sovereign nation.  

The Indian government tried to suppress and crushed the growing spirit of Naga Nationalism by introducing several oppressive laws and acts like, Disturbed Area Act, The Armed Forced Special powers Act, Prevention of unlawful Activities act, etc. But despite of all the torture, rape, killings, burning of granary, villages and their inhuman acts, etc., the Naga freedom struggle have withstood with unbridled courage and Valour till now.

Today as we celebrate our 78th Independence day, let us all remained steadfast to our goal and objective with prayers and supplication to our Almighty God. We acknowledge the selfless sacrifice of NNPGs and the signing of the ‘Agreed Position’ on 17th Nov 2017 and successfully concluded on 31st Oct. 2019. We believe and hope that the GoI (Government of India) will understand the sufferings and pain of the Naga and the wisdom of pragmatic reality of goodwill and understanding in resolving of our long protracted Naga issue. 
Fellow Nagas, today I call on all Nagas to unite, resonates within us, stirring our spirits and igniting a sense of purpose that cannot be ignored. It’s a call to reclaim our rightful place in our great Nation. We as Naga, it’s our duty and obligation, our destiny to heel that call with every fibre in our being. We must rise not as an individual, but as a collective force, unstoppable and unyielding in pursuit of our liberation.

My dear Friends, It is a long and arduous journey for all of us, but we cannot halt now. Let us all together march forward with heart full of passion, eyes fixed firmly on the horizon. Let us seize this moment and opportunity to shape our future and that of our younger generation. Together we can overcome any obstacle, conquer any foe and with collective will we can build a new Nagaland for Christ.

Once again I call on all Nagas, that with every beat of your heart and breath of our lungs, let us declare to the World that we will not rest until our dreams is fulfil. Let us seek forgiveness from our Almighty for our shortcomings and allow space for sanity to prevail enabling divine intervention to guide our people towards honourable, lasting and permanent solution.

Lastly, NNC/GDRN (N-A) acknowledges the unwavering support and prayers of all the stakeholders, the apex organisations, Tribal bodies, Student bodies, churches, Women Organisations. General populace, Prayer Warriors, etc. May God’s grace be upon us all. 

“Long live Nagaland” 
Kuknalim                                               
Speech on the occasion of 78th Naga Independence Day, August 14. 2024