Cease-Fire Day: The Signing of Indo-Naga Ceasefire Agreement

The cease-fire between the Government of India (GoI) and the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) that was brokered with the mediation of the Peace Mission in 1964 occupies an important place in the annals of Naga history. The Indo-Naga Ceasefire Agreement was signed on 24th May 1964 at Sakraba village, Chakhesang Region, Nagaland and officially came into force with effect from 6th September 1964. After about 10 years of violence, disturbances and unrest, peace returned to Nagaland and the Naga people rejoiced over the dawn of peace in our land. The Naga people ought to remain grateful to those who worked so hard for this historic day to be made possible at a time when it was most needed.

After so many years of bitter confrontations and trying to crush the Naga National Movement, the Indo- Naga Ceasefire was perhaps the first sincere attempt made by the GoI to reconcile with the Federal Government of Nagaland. The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC), understanding the gravity of the situation and seeing no possible end to the escalating violence which instead of improving was worsening by the day, held a convention at Wokha from February 2-4, 1964. In the convention, a resolution was passed to bring about a peaceful settlement between the Government of India and the Federal Government of Nagaland, which led to the formation of a Peace Mission with Mr. B.P. Chaliha, the then Chief Minister of Assam, Mr. Jayaprakash Narayan, a veteran freedom fighter, and Rev. Michael Scott, a popular missionary from England and a social activist.

The Peace Mission took up responsibilities sincerely as a go-between, wherein they started contacts with both sides. After many selfless efforts, they got positive response from the Federal Government of Nagaland too. They met at the Peace Mission at Sakraba in Phek district, after which an agreement was signed and a cease-fire between the two Governments was agreed upon.

When the Cease-fire came into force, people returned to their normal occupations, families were re-united, the biggest harvest for many years gathered, and there was a feeling of hope in Nagaland. In all this, it is fair to pay tribute not only to the Government of India for their humanity and imagination, but also to the leaders of the Baptist Church for whom this initiative was the result of much thought and powerful consideration for the good of both India and Nagaland. Another result of the 1964 Cease-Fire was that it led to six rounds of Peace Talk at the highest level between the Prime Ministers of the Federal Government of Nagaland and the Government of India. But unfortunately the Peace Talk came to a dead lock after the sixth round on 5th October 1967 without any outcome and the cease-fire was finally abrogated by GoI on August 31, 1972.

The Peace Mission reiterated that it was under an inescapable moral obligation to ensure maintenance of peace and settlement of all outstanding problems through peaceful means, believing that there is no human problem that cannot be solved by peaceful means. The NNC, as the sole legitimate institution representing the mandate of the Naga people, has always maintained that the Indo-Naga conflict must be resolved through peaceful dialogue founded on mutual respect and honour—principles that have been upheld since the inception.

Today, we admire the courage and tenacity of the Naga people to achieve our goal, the desire of the Nagas for self-determination and our urge to preserve our integrity. The objectives which our leaders placed themselves in the memorandum 'Naga Peace Declaration' dated the 17th December, 1964, and addressed to the Peace Mission, namely the desire to find peace, the resolve to maintain our integrity and to resist entanglement in war, are indeed praiseworthy.

Today, this vision is kept alive in the principles of NNC/FGN. As we look ahead and remain steadfast in our belief that political conflicts should be resolved not through the barrel of guns but by peaceful democratic process. Political dialogue with dignity, mutual respect, and honest engagement must form the foundation for any lasting peace to prevail. As the members of the Special Committee to assist the Peace Mission, nominated by the NBCC, affirmed: “Hate can never be conquered by revenge. It is sheer love that destroys the stings of hatred and malice.” The message is clear: “We want peace; there is no doubt about it.” Only then can we hope for the day foreseen in the prophetic words of Isaiah 2:4: “They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks.” That day will not come by force; it will come by a political will to listen, to negotiate, and to recognise each other’s humanity and history.

Zhopra Vero,

Kedahge, NNC/FGN.