On 16 May 1951, the Naga National Council conducted the
voluntary Plebiscite in our land under the leadership of A.Z. Phizo. Nagas used
their thumb impression to make their voice heard. It was the finest democratic
expression of the collective political will exercised by the Naga people. It
was the clearest statement that Nagas had the political consciousness to
organise themselves as a people and a nation. The peoples' mandate was loud and
clear with 99.9 percent in favour of independence. The verdict of the
Plebiscite was the peoples' endorsement of NNC Declaration of Naga Independence
on 14 August 1947 and the Nagas' first political memorandum submitted by Naga
Club to the Simon Commission in 1929 that states, “…leave us alone to determine
ourselves as in ancient times.” The Naga political position was accorded the
peoples' mandate through the Plebiscite and this exercise further consolidated
the struggle in the 'administered Naga-Hills' and the independent 'Free-Naga'
territory to continue with one voice.
In the long struggle, Nagas have experienced unimaginable
atrocities and brutality when external forces struck the nascent Naga nation on
its soil from the 1950s. History bears witness to the reign of terror that was
unleashed and the Nagas bore the brunt together, and together every Naga
village resisted the onslaught based on the power of truth that never failed to
ignite the valour and resilience of their love for the land. Nagas were
persecuted, but they could neither be crushed nor destroyed. We will never
forget our history. No force on earth can suppress the voice or erase the
memory of a nation. We accord fullest respect and recognition to our visionary
pioneers and national workers who sacrificed their lives for our collective
vision and aspiration.
With much concern, we accept that the Naga political
struggle as we have today is characterised by deep division and discord. The
prevailing situation has caused much harm to the struggle and created
confusion, fatigue and insecurity among the Naga people. However, this
momentary phase does not take away the irrefutable historical right and
legitimacy of our political foundation. 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. We acknowledge the
unmistakable Hands of God in the making of our nation and history that
reinforces us to face trials with the dignity, ingenuity and audacity of our
forefathers.
As we stand on this threshold, we have before us the 75 Naga
Plebiscite Day––the verdict that gave us the mandate and the voice to stand
together with courage in our struggle. We reaffirm our faith in the vision of
the Plebiscite by observing this solemn and historic day in the spirit it truly
and rightfully deserves.
With this in mind, The Naga Plebiscite Commission has been
set up with the blessings of NNC elders and leaders to collectively mark the
historic day. The Commission stands on the founding NNC principles of the 1940s
and '50s when all Nagas stood together under one institution with one vision.
The idea of the Commission is for all Nagas to stand on the mandate of 1951
Plebiscite and come together to reiterate our rightful place in history and
mark the occasion guided by democratic principles as it was in the past.
The Commission is supported by the Planning and Coordination
Committee, comprising various Naga public organizations, entrusted with the
task of organising the historic event on 16 May 2025. This year's commemoration
will be a year-long event with various activities planned leading to the 75
Anniversary Year in 2026. We repose full faith in the leadership of the Naga
public organizations and trust every Naga, the old and the young, join the
celebration in the spirit of the occasion. We entrust the young people to
step-up and nurture our story handed-down to us with all your hearts, minds,
strengths, and resources at our disposal to ensure that the baton of our
birthright, heritage and indelible living history is passed on to our children
for our tomorrow.
