Marking the 79th anniversary of the formation of the Naga National Council (NNC), its president Adinno Phizo reiterated that “Nagaland has been under forced foreign occupation for over seven decades” and urged the Naga people to unite under the NNC to reclaim their sovereignty.
In a statement released on the occasion, Phizo emphasized that the NNC remains the sole author of the Naga independence declaration and plebiscite, asserting that the plebiscite mandate of 1951 was the climax of Naga unity. She stated that true unity is possible only on the basis of truth, and NNC is the truth.
“The Nagas have been crying for peace. Our common objective is to work together to bring an end to foreign occupation. Ours is a God-given sovereignty established under the banner of NNC. The NNC was the foundation and the standing institution. Let us unite under its platform to free our nation from foreign occupation and live in the God-given freedom,” Phizo stated.
Formation of the NNC and the Vision for Naga Nationhood
Phizo recalled the formation of the NNC on February 2, 1946, when pioneer Naga leaders gathered at Wokha to establish a tribal representative body, which later became the organized apex institution for all Naga villages. She described the NNC as an institution, not an organization, asserting that every Naga is a member by birth, not by registration.
“The ultimate objective and vision of the NNC was for a common future in a free nation,” Phizo said, emphasizing that the NNC was built on the traditional village governance system that had existed for centuries.
The Struggle for Naga Sovereignty and the 1951 Plebiscite
Tracing the history of the Naga national movement, Phizo stated that successive NNC leaders had negotiated with the British and British Indian governments for a smooth transition of power, ensuring that the Nagas would once again govern themselves as in ancient times.
Under the leadership of A. Z. Phizo, the NNC took a decisive step by declaring Naga independence on August 14, 1947, a day before India’s independence from British rule. The move, she said, was a pre-emptive measure to assert Naga sovereignty, given the Indian government’s premeditated intent to force Nagaland into the Union.
The NNC then conducted a national plebiscite on May 16, 1951, which resulted in an overwhelming 99.9% mandate for an independent Nagaland. However, instead of respecting the popular will, Phizo stated, the Indian government responded with military force, leading to decades of resistance.
“The NNC leaders left no stone unturned for a negotiated Naga future based on inherent historical rights. However, the Indian government tried to crush that mandate by using its military power,” she said.
Despite these challenges, Phizo affirmed that the NNC remains committed to the cause of Naga sovereignty and urged the people to stand firm in their pursuit of self-determination. (Read full speech here)