The Naga National Council (NNC) will commemorate the 75th Naga Plebiscite Day on May 16, 2025, at Khucochiezhie (Kohima Local Ground) at 10:00 AM, the Naga Plebiscite Commission has informed.
In a concept note issued by the Naga Plebiscite Commission, the Council recalls the historic 1951 plebiscite conducted under the leadership of A.Z. Phizo, describing it as “the finest democratic expression of the collective political will exercised by the Naga people.” The plebiscite, which recorded 99.9 percent in favour of independence, is seen as “the clearest statement that Nagas had the political consciousness to organise themselves as a people and a nation.”
According to the Commission, the plebiscite’s outcome was “the peoples’ endorsement of NNC Declaration of Naga Independence on 14 August 1947″ and was consistent with the earlier political stand expressed by the Naga Club to the Simon Commission in 1929: “…leave us alone to determine ourselves as in ancient times.”
Reflecting on decades of struggle, the statement said, “Nagas have experienced unimaginable atrocities and brutality when external forces struck the nascent Naga nation on its soil from the 1950s… Nagas were persecuted, but they could neither be crushed nor destroyed.”
The NNC also emphasized the continuing relevance of this historical foundation despite current challenges, stating, “We accept that the Naga political struggle as we have today is characterised by deep division and discord… However, this momentary phase does not take away the irrefutable historical right and legitimacy of our political foundation.”
The Commission called on Nagas to revisit and reclaim their collective narrative: “Every Naga has a story to tell and the story will continue through posterity as truthfully and powerfully as it must, on the foundation of our peoplehood and nationhood.”
The commemoration of the 75th Plebiscite Day will not be a one-day affair. As per the Naga Plebiscite Commission, “This year’s commemoration will be a year-long event with various activities planned leading to the 75th Anniversary Year in 2026.”
To facilitate the event, “The Commission is supported by the Planning and Coordination Committee, comprising various Naga public organizations.” The celebration aims to bring all Nagas together on the mandate of the 1951 Plebiscite, “guided by democratic principles as it was in the past.”
The Commission further encouraged the involvement of youth, urging them to “step-up and nurture our story handed-down to us with all your hearts, minds, strengths, and resources… to ensure that the baton of our birthright, heritage and indelible living history is passed on to our children for our tomorrow.”
“Together, we remain strong,” the statement added.
(Read full statement here)
