The Naga National Council/Federal Government of Nagaland (NNC/FGN) Ao Region observed the 78th Nagaland Independence Day on August 14 at Khensa Peace Camp, Mokokchung. During the event, the Independence Day message from Kedahge, FGN, Gen. (Retd.) Viyalie Metha, was read out by Takoyaba, Advisor, NNC Ao Region, while Dr Toshi Echa, Advisor, NNC Ao Region, delivered a short speech.
“God gave us Nagaland. Hence, our past leaders courageously defended it and firmly laid down all the legal foundations so that none can destroy or take away our rights,” the Kedahge stated in his message (Full text here).
In his speech, Dr Toshi Echa asserted that the Naga National Movement is indelible and maintained that the atrocities inflicted on the Naga people by India in an attempt to crush Naga nationhood can never be forgotten.
Echa delved into the historical basis of Naga nationhood, discussing the socio-political and cultural distinctiveness of the Naga people. He argued that the Naga people were always independent and were never subdued by any foreign power. The NNC Ao Region Advisor cited historical facts, noting that the Naga people remained independent when the Ahoms subdued the Kacharis in the 13th century and continued to maintain their independence even when the Burmese invaded and dislodged the Ahom kingdom in 1824.
Echa referenced British Governor-General Lord Dalhousie’s ‘Non-Interference Policy in Naga Hills’ from 1842 to 1850. However, he noted that the British steadily expanded their influence in parts of the Naga territory between 1834 and 1879, during which 45 battles were fought, leading to a ‘No War’ agreement between the Nagas and the British on March 27, 1880.
He also mentioned the Naga memorandum submitted to the Simon Commission on January 10, 1929, and the major events that followed, including the signing of the ‘Shillong Accord’ on November 11, 1975, by some “underground” representatives—a move rejected by NNC President AZ Phizo, he said. He further noted that NNC Foreign Secretary Isac Swu and General Secretary Th. Muivah also rejected the Shillong Accrod. The formation of NSCN in 1980 and its subsequent split into two groups in 1988 were also highlighted.
Dr Echa also opined that the Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015, and the Agreed Position of November 17, 2017, signed between the Government of India and the Naga groups NSCN-IM and NNPGs respectively, were not much different from the ‘Shillong Accord,’ as all three agreements appear to resolve the issue within the framework of the Indian Union.
He further encouraged the gathering to educate the younger generation about Naga political rights without deviating from the truth.
The event was chaired by Kikum Pongen, Court Chairman, NNC Ao Region. The unfurling of the Naga national flag was conducted by Senli Imchen, President, NNC Ao Region.