‘Significance of ceasefire cannot be undermined’
Kolezo Chase speaking at 56th Indo-Naga Ceasefire Day at Peace Camp, Chedema on September 6.
56th Indo-Naga Ceasefire Day observed at Peace Camp
Our Correspondent
Chedema | September 6
The 56th Indo-Naga Ceasefire Day was observed today at Peace Camp, Chedema near Kohima.
Speaking on the occasion, Kolezo Chase, spokesperson, Naga National Council (NNC) said that the Indo-Naga ceasefire of 1964 was an agreement between two warring armies, that of India and of Nagaland.
He said the significance of this ceasefire which came into effect on September 6, 1964 cannot be undermined for the very reason that it brought about the much awaited peace which “we hope would result in understanding the fact of the problem between the two countries.”
Chase recalled the visit made by a Naga delegation to Mahatma Gandhi in 1947, and the latter’s often quoted response that "We do not want the British, and they are going. If you say that you are not Indians and your country does not belong to India then the matter ends there. Nobody will force you to join the Indian union."
He further recalled that the NNC president, late AZ Phizo in his letter to the Prime Minister of India, late Rajiv Gandhi in 1986 had said that the declaration of Naga independence was unnecessary since Nagaland is a sovereign state in its own right “but we are living in a changing world so the declaration of our Naga independence was a precautionary measure to safeguard our sovereignty so that no one could challenge us at some later date.”
Chase said the purpose of meeting with Mahatma Gandhi on July 19, 1947 was to avert war with India as the Nagas had been threatened that India will use force if the Nagas refuse to join the Union of India.
He further stated that at the initiative of the Nagaland Baptist Churches Council (NBCC) a ceasefire agreement was brought about between the Government of India and the Federal Government of Nagaland on September 6, 1964.
Chase thanked God and the NBCC for its noble and courageous initiative for ushering in a peaceful era in a war torn Nagaland by bringing about a ceasefire.
The conditions of the ceasefire were: (1) The Government of India undertook the Indian army to be confined within the periphery of 1,000 yards from its respective post; (2) And the Federal Government of Nagaland undertook not to allow the Naga Army to attack the Indian Army; (3) In an unexpected encounter, “no firing unless fired upon."
“Although the Government of India unilaterally abrogated this ceasefire on August 31, 1972, the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) and the Naga National Council (NNC) uphold the ceasefire agreement up to this day,” Chase said.
NNC President, Adinno Phizo; FGN Kedahge, Gen (Retd) Viyalie Metha were also present at the programme. The programme was led Akho Meru, Deputy Homaki Kilonser, FGN.
