The Nagas have been privileged to have so many renowned and exemplary persons to lead a people who were initially written off even by their own neighbours just as a bunch of savages. Without these leaders who were steadfast in their believe of a wholesome better deal for the Nagas as a people, Nagas would not have come this far as a people with a distinct identity. One such leader that stands out is Isak Chishi Swu the former Chairman of the NSCN (IM) who passed away on June 28, 2016.
Late Isak Swu is from the village of Chishilimi in the present Pughoboto Sub-division of Zunheboto district. Isak was known to have worked for restoration of peace when the Naga areas were worst hit after India started her military campaign to suppress the then Naga Nationalist. It is recorded that Late Isak was one of the peace emissaries between the government and the Naga Nationalists and on one such mission he did not return. Having moved by the firm belief of the Naga national movement he decided to join the NNC and the rest is history.
He was a man who longed for peace but not at the expense of the identity of the Nagas, that was one very distinct affirmation that he made during his lifetime. During the peace mission after the ceasefire of 1964, in one of the meetings he is quoted as saying, “In this world of ours there are two forces working against each other, the forces of war and the forces of peace. The Peace Mission is a great force for peace in Nagaland.” Then he added “There must be reaffirmation of faith in the general rights of nations, by upholding the equal right of self-determination for all nations and peoples.” Eloquent and confident with firm belief in his ideals leading him to take such a painstaking path filled with hardships. His perseverance did not go without rewards having received opportunity to represent and speak on behalf of the Nagas Internationally. Such an plan itself was initially thought to be quite farfetched and fantastic for many Nagas and also for the representatives of the government of India. It finally culminated in the the ceasefire agreement signed in 1997 and the government of India acknowledging the “Unique history of the Nagas” unique history of the Nagas.
During the years in the NSCN especially starting from the early nineties he was the more religious and the austere side of their organisation. At every possible opportunity he had appealed to the Naga people for austerity, penance and repentance so that the national goals can be achieved as desired. His words and actions during his life time also indicate a person who willingly sacrificed his self thereby freeing from the clutches of tribalism for the greater good of all the Nagas. Though he has moved on, he still has left the greatest reward for his hardship and sacrifice to the Nagas and the progeny.
