Mokokchung, August 14 (MTNews): The 76th ‘Naga Independence Day’ was celebrated in various parts of Naga inhabited areas on Sunday, August 14. In Mokokchung, the Naga National Council (NNC) Ao Region celebrated Naga Independence Day at Ao Region peace camp, Yimyu (Khensa) under the leadership of NNC Ao Region President, Takoyungba Longkumer with General Secretary, Central, Tsupong Longchar unfurling the Naga flag. The celebration was marked by a prayer meeting where they gave thanks to God and to the Naga leaders for successfully carrying the independence that NNC declared on August 14, 1947 and also for making Nagaland, ‘Nagaland for Christ’ in 1957. The gathering also paid homage to the martyrs.
Meanwhile, the Naga Students’ Federation observed the celebration at Parashen, Rengma Region, where the “first Naga flag hoisting” took place on March 22, 1956 with Mhiesizokho Zinyü, author of ‘Phizo and the Naga Problem’ as the main speaker. Highlights of the event included solidarity speeches by Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) and All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM). Nnolo Lorin, a centenarian who was witness to the first Naga flag hoisting ceremony on March 22, 1956 narrated his firsthand account.
The Global Naga Forum (GNF) also organized a virtual International Commemoration of the 76th year (75th Anniversary) of the Naga Declaration of Independence with Rev. Dr. Wati Aier, convener, Forum for Naga Reconciliation as the commemoration speaker and Dario José Mejia Montalvo, chairperson, United Nations Permanent Forum for Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) as the guest of honor.
Highlights of the event included a welcome address by Prof. Paul Pimomo, secretary, GNF and presentation of patriotic songs by Jo Marten Kaaven, Northern Sámi artist from Karasjok, Norway and Colored Keys, folk fusion band from Nagaland.
Naga flag and constitution are indivisible parts of the recognized sovereignty: Muivah
The NSCN (IM) observed the 76th Independence Day at the council HQ, Hebron with General Secretary, Th. Muivah unfurling the Naga flag.
Addressing the gathering, Muivah in his address to the nation thanked the civil societies who have taken all the necessary troubles in advocating for the rights of the Naga people. He also thanked the “churches and prayer warriors” who have been praying for the national cause and the workers in the forefront without ceasing.
Further, he extended his gratitude to the friends abroad for their unflinching support to the cause of the Naga people.
He said that the “divisive elements and collaborators are restlessly indulging in slanderous fabrications targeting the Framework Agreement.”
“The irony is that the Government of India is keeping pretentious silence over the Framework Agreement it has signed on 3rd August, 2015. But the truth shall prevail in the long run,” he said.
He then added that the 31st May, 2022, Emergency National Assembly was one of the turning points in the history of the Naga political movement where they took the stand that NSCN will uphold and protect the unique Naga history and the Naga National principle at any cost.
“The Naga flag and constitution are indivisible parts of the recognized sovereignty and unique history. We believe the Indian leaders too understand it,” he said.
Zheshito Swu calls for One Voice, One Solution
The GPRN/NSCN celebrated the 76th Naga independent day at Ceasefire Supervisory Board office, Padampukhuri, Dimapur with Zheshito Swu, Kilo Kilonser GPRN/NSCN as the chief guest who unfurled the Naga flag.
Swu in his speech quoted Mahatma Gandhi’s statement, “Nagas have every right to be independent,” and called for unity among the political workers and the civil societies. He said that it is crucial to have “one voice and one solution” and urged all Naga national workers to come together and work together.
Youth must come forward to shoulder the national responsibility: Viyalie Metha, Kedahge, FGN
At the Chedema village ground in Kohima, the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) commemorated the 75th anniversary of the declaration of Nagaland’s Independence where Gen. (Retd). Viyalie Metha, Kedahge, unfurled the Naga flag.
Metha in his speech recalled the sufferings, losses, and sacrifices made by the Naga people starting in the 1950s and continuing to the present day and noted that through God’s blessing and protection, Nagas have been able to celebrate great achievement.
He exhorted the Nagas to be proud of what they had achieved, all that is proper and legally right. “Nagas have done well in giving our all to the Naga noble cause in our own rustic way,” he continued with pride.
However, he made note of the fact that today’s youth, who are significantly better prepared in terms of education, intellect, technology, and finances, face a challenge.
Therefore, he stated, “the youth must come forward to shoulder the national responsibility and make Nagaland of our dream.”
He also narrated how Gandhi had encouraged the Naga delegation on July 19, 1947, which consisted of NNC members, to announce their independence as a result of which on August 14, 1947, in Kohima, the Naga National Council declared Nagaland’s independence.
He then quoted Article I of the Yehzabo (Constitution) of Nagaland, which states: “The territory of Nagaland shall comprise all the territories of the Nagas and such other territories as the Tatar Hoho may by law admit on such terms and conditions as it may deem fit,” and urged that one should not be confused with the “puppet state of Nagaland created by the Government of India with the intention to divide and confuse the Nagas.”
For that matter, he said, “from the very inception of the so-called 16-point Agreement which created the state of Nagaland by India was out rightly rejected by the then NNC President, A.Z. Phizo through a statement dated July 31, 1960, where Phizo stated: “No agreement can be recognized regarding the future of Nagaland except with people who are truly representative of the Naga Nation”.
He then continued how the Federal Government of Nagaland sent a protest note to the Prime Minister of India on the event of granting full-fledged statehood to Manipur from the Union Territory under the protest note titled “A Protest against Naga Territorial Involvement by the Government of India in Manipur” dated 19th January, 1972.
“As such, the name of Naga country is Nagaland; no other name. And no other constitution and no other flag except the constitution and flag of the Federal Government of Nagaland,” he stated.
Then, Metha declared that although Nagas are blessed in many ways, the two most significant ones are that, “Nagas as a nation with one destiny on this earth and as Christians for eternity”.
“This is a rare thing in the world. Therefore, we must be grateful to the Almighty God always and look for his guidance and blessing at all times,” he remarked.