DIMAPUR, AUGUST 14 (MExN): The term “Urra Uvie”, coined by none other but legendary leader AZ Phizo reverberated across the field where celebrations of the 61st “Naga Independence Day” was held at Camp Hebron today. “Our land belongs to us,” NSCN (I-M) General Secretary Th Muivah quoted in English Phizo’s words that have gone down in Naga history. “Brothers and sisters do not forget the history of our nation.”
Muivah owed “our history” to the Naga National Council and thanked ‘uncles’ Phizo, Imkongmeren and T Sakhrie for “not making mistakes when the world was turning. We owe our existence to their wisdom. We respect them.”
The ‘Ato Kilonser’ of the NSCN (I-M) also echoed T Sakhrie’s words: “If I would be given to make a choice from the creator, I will choose Nagaland again and again.” He said Nagas are “proud people” because they can defend their land. “No one should be allowed to encroach upon our land. We will not allow the world to confuse us.”
Paying homage to all Nagas who have fallen in their struggle, he encouraged widows and orphans by telling them that their husbands and parents had sacrificed their lives “for our today and tomorrow.”
On the present peace process, Muivah sounded his assurance that “we will not negotiate with anyone at the expense of our national rights.” He asked the Nagas not to falter in their fight to determine their own fate and future. Apologizing for mistakes committed by their cadres, Kilo Kilonser (Home Minister) of the organization, Azheto Chophy, urged youngsters to take the blessings of the Church and elders from their villages before joining them.
On behalf of the Naga Hoho, Speaker H K Zhimomi read out a solidarity message. “As a matter of fact, Naga Hoho is firmly committed to facilitate towards bringing honorable and acceptable solution to the vexed Indo-Naga political problem once and for all. Furthermore, we urge upon both the entities to be truthful in the political dialogue in the spirit of two nations, two people.”
However, the Naga Hoho also sounded a clear message that “Naga people are not happy at all to witness the celebration of ‘Naga Independence Day’ in different places under the aegis of various groups/organizations under the banner of Nagas struggle freedom. We are also surprised to see interdefection with the famous phrase – ‘mainstream’ which has become every day affairs. Enough is enough to witness the fratricidal killings in different nooks and corners of Naga areas.
“The time has come for us to overcome petty differences and reciprocate one another with the feeling of one people, one struggle.”
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