The 71st anniversary of the First Naga-Indo Battle, described by organisers as having been fought at Hoshepu in the present-day Aghunato area from September 4 to 10, 1955, was commemorated at Hoshepu on Thursday, with Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) president Mteisuding Heraang calling for the use of the term “Naga-Indo Battle” and stating that the federation is examining historical records relating to the confrontation.
Addressing the commemorative programme as guest of honour, Heraang said the confrontation at Hoshepu should be viewed as more than an isolated battle, describing it as part of the wider historical journey of the Naga political movement.
He said the NSF preferred the terminology “Naga-Indo Battle” instead of “Indo-Naga Battle”, stating that the terminology should reflect the Naga perspective of the historical event. He also said the NSF had adopted a resolution to use “Naga-Indo” in reference to the Naga-India political talks.
However, Heraang said the federation was taking time to examine historical records concerning the battle before making any definitive historical recognition or declaration. He said the process was being undertaken with sincerity and transparency.
The NSF president paid tribute to those who lost their lives during the conflict and urged the people of Hoshepu and the Sümi community to preserve the historic site and pass its history on to future generations.
He stressed that the history of Hoshepu should not be regarded merely as the history of one village or community, but as part of the broader history of the Naga people and their political journey.
The commemoration was organised to mark the 71st anniversary of the battle, which historical accounts presented at the programme describe as a seven-day confrontation between Naga Safe Guards and Indian forces at Hoshepu and the surrounding area in September 1955.
President of the Sümi Hoho, Dr. Vihuto Asumi, said Hoshepu was “not merely a geographical location” but an important chapter in the history of the Naga people.
Recalling the early years of the Naga political struggle, Asumi said the first bloodshed associated with the movement took place at Huker village on March 24, 1955. He said this was followed by the first full-fledged and organised military confrontation between the Indian Army and the Naga forces at Hoshepu from September 4 to 10, 1955, under the leadership of General Kaito Sukhai.
According to Asumi, the battle represented a significant turning point and demonstrated the seriousness and determination of the Naga people in pursuing their political aspirations.
He also highlighted the contribution and sacrifices of the Sümi people during the early years of the Naga political struggle, saying many Sümi voluntarily joined the movement while others were forcibly recruited into the Naga Army. He said schools were also burnt in Sümi areas to compel young men to join the movement.
“These are difficult chapters of our history, and we must have the courage to acknowledge both the sacrifices and the excesses committed during those turbulent years,” he said.
Asumi said the Naga political cause remained important to the Sümi people and called upon young people and students to learn, document and preserve Naga history.
Quoting Marcus Garvey, he said, “A people without the knowledge of their past, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots,” and appealed to the younger generation to ensure that the experiences and sacrifices of earlier generations were not lost.
President of the Sümi Kukami Hoho, Akukau Hetoho S Zhimomi, said the All Sümi Students’ Union (SKK) had taken the initiative to commemorate the anniversary in recognition of those who fought, suffered and sacrificed their lives during the period.
He also acknowledged the efforts of the Hoshepu Range Public Organisation in keeping the memory of the battle alive, including the commemoration of its 50th anniversary in 2005.
Zhimomi stressed the need to develop a broader understanding of Naga history beyond individual tribal narratives.
“When we look at written Naga history, we often find the achievements of individual tribes. But there is far less history that tells us how Nagas came together, suffered together, and fought together as one people,” he said.
He called upon future Naga leaders to look beyond tribal boundaries and work towards documenting a shared history of the Naga people.
Zhimomi also traced the developments that, according to historical accounts presented at the programme, preceded the Hoshepu confrontation. He referred to meetings among Naga representatives in the early 1950s, the emergence of the Eastern Sema Tribal Council, the formation of the Naga Safe Guards and the establishment of camps in the Hoshepu range.
According to the account presented, Kaito Sukhai subsequently assumed leadership of the Naga Safe Guards, with the organisation establishing its headquarters at Khekiye village and defensive positions in the surrounding area.
The historical account further stated that the main battle began on September 4, 1955, at Hoshepu and continued for seven days before the Naga forces were eventually overpowered by Indian forces.
It said the conflict resulted in loss of life, destruction of property, displacement and prolonged hardship among residents of the Hoshepu range. The account also named five Naga Safe Guards personnel — Vitomo of Lithsami, Jehoto of Kulhopu, Ahoto and Vighoto of Hoshepu, and Viniqhe of Khekiye — as having been killed on September 10, 1955.
A separate historical account presented during the programme claimed that around 380 Indian soldiers were killed during the battle. The figure was presented as part of local historical accounts and was not independently established during the programme.
H Ghokiho Zhimomi, president of Aghunato Kukami Hoho, said the battle should be preserved and appropriately commemorated as an important landmark of the Naga political and armed struggle.
He called for the protection of the historic site for future generations and proposed that the Sümi Kukami Khel (SKK) and Eastern Naga Students’ Union (ENSU) jointly approach the Nagaland government for the upgradation of Aghunato ADC Headquarters to a district headquarters, while recognising the historical importance of the Hoshepu battle.
He further called upon student bodies and community organisations to support the documentation of oral history, particularly accounts relating to the long-term hardships faced by people of the Hoshepu range.
Zhimomi also proposed an inclusive historical memorial at Hoshepu that would recognise the sacrifices and suffering associated with the wider Naga political struggle, irrespective of factions, organisations or individual personalities.
The speakers at the program collectively called for greater efforts to document the events surrounding the Hoshepu battle and preserve the site as a place of historical significance for future generations.