First and foremost, I offer my deepest gratitude to God Almighty, whose sustaining grace has carried me throughout my long journey in the Naga national movement. Across the many phases of my service, His divine love and protection have been abundant and unwavering. In moments of uncertainty, danger, and trial, it has been His guiding hand that strengthened my resolve and preserved my life.
I joined the NNC in 1963 and as I reflect upon those years, I am reminded of how precarious and testing those times were. It was when the resistance between the Nagas and the occupational forces was at its fiercest. I also recall my first Alee Mission to East Pakistan for training in that same year, as a young Captain in the Naga Army. During this overwhelming period of adversity, it was faith in God that enabled me to endure. I was constantly reminded of Jesus’ teaching in John 15:7: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” With the benefit of hindsight, I am convinced that it was divine assurance that sustained me through circumstances where surrender seemed the easier path.
On 17th August 1964, I returned to Nagaland from East Pakistan and continued to serve the national cause with renewed commitment. During the Indo–Naga Ceasefire period, I had the privilege of witnessing history firsthand at Khensa Peace Talk Camp in Mokokchung, where I served as Second-in-Command (2 I/C) of the Naga Army in 1965. Those moments remain etched in my memory as a testament to both the resilience of our people and the enduring quest for a just and honourable peace.
Echoing the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance,” I believe that God Himself has blessed the Naga nation and instilled in the hearts of our founding leaders a profound sense of the sacredness of our identity and our inalienable right to live as a free people and a nation. This conviction transcends politics; it is spiritual, historical, and moral. I remain resolute in the hope that what rightfully belongs to the Nagas shall one day be realized—whether in this generation or the generations to come.
Throughout my long years of national service, a question has consistently echoed through my reflection, one which I now place before the present and future Naga populace: How has a small and numerically limited people like the Nagas been able to withstand the might of a vast and powerful nation like India for more than seventy years? The disparity is immense when measured in material and physical terms- population, arms and ammunition, technological advancement, and resources. Yet, the answer does not lie in material or physical strength. It lies in the providence and protection of God, in the justness of our cause, and in our inherent and inalienable right to self-determination.
Today, the social vices and political practices prevailing among us have, in many ways, led to deep divisions and a gradual moral decline within our society. These are, in many respects, negative influences absorbed from foreign cultures and systems. While we acknowledge the positive advancements in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and technology, we must not ignore the cost at which some of these changes have come. The Naga people, once known for their honesty, integrity, and strong moral fabric, now face the danger of fragmentation and moral bankruptcy. This calls for sincere introspection and a collective return to the values that once defined us.
After serving the NNC in different capacities for many years, I retired from active national service in 1974. However, by the grace of God and the trust of the people, I was once again called to serve and was appointed Vice President of the NNC on 11th April 2016 at Yoruba Village. Later, in 2020, I was entrusted with the office of President of the NNC, serving alongside Ino Zhopra Vero as Kedahge of the FGN. In all the responsibilities and duties entrusted to us, we worked in close cohesion, fully conscious of our national responsibilities and the weight of the cause we represented.
Now, having reached the age of 88 years, born on 12th January 1938, and owing to advancing age and the natural course of life, I now step down from active service. As I lay down this responsibility, I urge the younger generation to carry forward the baton with courage, conviction, and unwavering dedication until our right to self determination is recognized.
Today, on this 18th day of May 2026, as I take my leave, I urge the Naga people to remain united in purpose and steadfast in principle. Our strength has always rested in unity and clarity of vision. There is no alternative path to achieving our rightful aspirations except through unwavering adherence to our foundational principles.
Let us hold firmly to the historical pillars that define our political journey; the Memorandum to the Simon Commission, the Declaration of Naga Independence on 14th August 1947, and the Naga Plebiscite of 1951. These are not mere historical references; they are the enduring cornerstones of our collective identity and political legitimacy. They must continue to guide our future course as we strive toward the realization of our shared destiny.
May God continue to guide, protect, and bless the Naga people.
(The views expressed are those of the writer and not of the newspaper)
