Ato Kilonser of GRPN/NSCN and Convenor of WC-NNPG, Kitovi Zhimomi on Thursday said that August 14 is an “immortal date in the history of the Naga people.”
Published on Aug 14, 2025
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DIMAPUR — The Working Committee of Naga National Political Groups (WC-NNPG) celebrated its 79th Naga Independence Day at GPRN/NSCN designated Camp Khehoyi on Thursday.
Delivering the Independence Day speech, Ato Kilonser of GRPN/NSCN and Convenor of WC-NNPG, Kitovi Zhimomi, said that August 14 is an “immortal date in the history of the Naga people.”
On this day in 1947, Naga people chose to live as their ancestors had from ancient times; undisturbed, unchained, as a people and nation, free from conquerors and tyrants.
The Naga pioneers were convinced that neither the departing British nor the newly formed independent India had the right to occupy and rule over them, Zhimomi said.
He also asserted that though much water has flown down the Dhansiri River in the last seven decades but Naga political movement has not lost its meaning and soul.
“Generations of Indian armies, led by efficient commanders have shed much blood trying to capture our land. Many failed and went home lifeless, draped in tricolour. Yet, it is a sad reality that our land is occupied and administered by India and therefore the reason for prolonged political conflict followed by ceasefire and political negotiations,” he said.
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“The fierce Naga warriors of the bygone days are long gone, lost and buried in the hills. Today thousands of their sons and daughters, the grandsons and grand daughters are serving the Indian government. This is also a reality we must admit.”
He went on to state that despite social and political evolution, every Naga has been and continues to be a patriot, contributing in various ways to protect their ancestral land and raising future generations to honour and renew the supreme sacrifices of their forefathers.
He also acknowledged that at present there are too many Naga political groups “evoking alike a sense of bitterness, shame and hopelessness from our people.”
“Sadly, under various factors and circumstances different political groups have arisen. Only time will tell whether they succumbed to the policies of various agencies, anti-solution elements in Nagaland state, for fame and wealth or to really find a solution to their Naga problem,” he said.
Yet, despite the personal differences, all the political groups, save for few, are either in ceasefire or in similar status quo with the Gol, co-ordinating to secure an acceptable and honourable political solution on the basis of Agreed Position, signed on November 17, 2017, he added.
“Securing political solution for future Naga generations is our goal and on this crucial historic matter, personal differences amongst us do not matter. This has been conveyed clearly to the Gol officially,” Zhimomi maintained.
He further said that all negotiating entities have successfully completed political negotiations with the Gol as on 31st October, 2019, and therefore “philosophical theories at this hour is not really appropriate for the Naga people and the impending political solution.”
“We must rise above our differences, threats, fear and intimidations and prepare a robust ground for an acceptable and honourable Indo-Naga political solution,” the WC-NNPG convenor added.
During the event, short speeches were delivered by other WC-NNPG members including Akato Chophi, President NSCN-R; Toshi Walling, General Secretary of NNC (Parent Body); Shitoho Chophi, NNC/NPGN; George Yangba, Ato Killonser of NNC/GDRN; and Nu Pavi, General Secretary of UGN/NNC.