My Dear Fellowmen in National Service, Ladies and Gentlemen, on this auspicious occasion as our Nation celebrates the Golden Jubilee of the Naga Army Raising Day, I bring greetings to you all in the name of the Federal Government of Nagaland. We are immensely grateful to God, for by His grace Nagas could stand as a Nation.
Today, I am overwhelmed with joy and happiness to see several fellowmen in our midst; they were all along relentlessly sacrificing their whole lives in the service of our Nation since the past fifty years or more, when Naga Home Guard was given full fledged Naga Army on 3rd January 1964.
History of defense in Naga tradition tells us that every able bodied male member is a warrior and guard of their villages, which was practiced till late 19th century. During early 20th century, there was mass involvement of our people Ira the two World Wars, as a result, there was change in peoples' attitude and a peaceful Atmosphere prevailed in Naga villages for some time.
Modern history of Nagaland took shape when the British withdrew from Nagaland where the Naga Leaders declared their independence on August 14, 1947 in order to keep the Nation's record clear. And again in support of this declaration, the 1951 voluntary Naga plebiscite was conducted at the instance of the Naga National Council (NNC), and the result was 99% voted in favor to remain independent. Thus, our National foundation was laid on solid rock through NNC.
India attained its independence on August 15, 1947 as one big nation, but one day behind Nagaland soon India started to exert its dominion over comparatively small but rightful nation-Nagaland, which was openly demonstrated on 18th October, 1952 how Zasibito of Jotsoma Village was killed in the heart of Kohima town. Further more, mass massacre of patriotic villages beginning with Yengpang Village on November 15, 1954 where all together 53 villagers including men, women and children were massacred. All these led Nagas to think seriously to defend themselves from Indian aggression.
At the beginning, in 1955 Naga youth volunteers came out from all Villages and formed Volunteers. The Indian Army perpetrated full-scale war against Naga Volunteers. After some time, Volunteer was re-named as Safe Guard. The Naga Safe Guard and Indian Army had their first encounter at Mima Village, Angami Region on 27th February 1956. Then in March 1956 Safe Guard was again changed and called Home Guard. The Naga Home Guard and Indian Army fought open battle for the first time in Kohima Village on June 11, 1956. Thus India fought an undeclared full-scale war against Nagaland till an international cease-Fire Agreement was signed between Government of India and Federal Government of Nagaland which took effect on 6th September, 1964. Prior to this during the period of intense fighting in Nagaland, Naga Soldiers were able to make several successful Alee Commands (Foreign Mission). The success in their missions prompted the need for an international competency; thus the Naga Home Guard was made full fledged standing Army as 'Naga Army' on 3rd, January 1964. Since then, 3rd January every year is observed as Naga Army Raising Day. Thus we are celebrating the completion of 50 years today.
In the war with India, the Naga Army maintained clean and unblemished record in accordance with the UN Resolution of Geneva Convention. That is to say: 1. The Naga Army never kill or harass any Indian civilian. 2. Never torture or mistreat enemy war prisoners. 3. Honor our Words and maintained restraint het to violate the Cease-fire Agreement till today.
On the other hand, the Indian Armed Forces made Naga civilian their first target. Our civilian were tortured, put in jail, forced to carry their ration and war materials, mass arrest of villagers, mass flogging and villages headed into concentration camps were common practices. Our houses, granaries and Churches burnt; our crops destroyed. Our women molested, raped, maimed and even killed; old men and women beaten with gun butts, kicked and children mishandled and thrown to death, More than 100,000 Naga civilian lost their lives due to starvation, shooting, shelling and bombardment of civilian populated areas by Indian Army. India committed heinous war crimes against Nagaland. In conclusion, I am proud to say ‘Well-done Naga Army' because of your bravery, dedication and sacrifice Nagaland stands as a Nation today. Let the same integrity, intrepidity and perseverance prevail in you to uphold and defend our Nation. May God continue to bless and keep Nagaland.
Kuknalim!
