Our Correspondent
Kohima, Aug. 14 (EMN): On the 75th anniversary (76th year) of Naga declaration of independence, Gen. (Retd.) Viyalie Metha, Kedahge, Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) said Nagas are able to celebrate a great achievement through God's blessing and protection, while remembering the sufferings, losses and sacrifices endured and given by the Naga people, starting from the 1950s till date.
However, he said the challenge is upon the youths of the present generation to come forward to shoulder the national responsibility and “make Nagaland our dream”.
He was speaking during the 75th Naga declaration of independence programme at Chedema village ground in Kohima.
"I am proud to claim that Nagas have done well in giving our all to the Naga rightful cause in our own rustic way," he said.
"Come what may, we are ready to face any eventuality in the years to come. We owe our existence today and beyond to the Almighty God and the patriotic Naga men and women who had given their all for us to live as a nation among nations, which is the envy of people around us," Metha said, adding, "Be proud that Nagas had done and achieved all that is proper and legally right."
He narrated that a Naga delegation consisting of Naga National Council (NNC) leaders met Mahatma Gandhi on July 19, 1947 to inform him of the Naga intention to formally declare Naga independence on August 15, 1947 to which Gandhi encouraged the delegation to declare it without further ado.
Acknowledging the good nature and understanding of Gandhi, Metha said nobody has any right to stop "Nagaland Independence. That was how Nagaland Independence was declared by the NNC on 14th August, 1947 in Kohima. From then on it is history, where India is answerable sooner or later," he said.
Quoting Article I of the Yehzabo (Constitution) of Nagaland, which states; "The territory of Nagaland shall comprise all the territories of the Nagas and such other territories as the Tatar Hoho may by law admit on such terms and conditions as it may deem fit," he said that one should not be confused with the "puppet state of Nagaland created by the Government of India with the intention to divide and confuse the Nagas".
Metha asserted that from the very inception of the 16-point Agreement, which created the state of Nagaland by India, was rejected by the then NNC President, AZ Phizo through a statement dated July 31, 1960, where Phizo stated; "No agreement can be recognised regarding the future of Nagaland except with people who are truly representative of the Naga nation."
Similarly, he mentioned how FGN sent a protest note to the Prime Minister of India on the event of granting full-fledged statehood to Manipur from the Union territory.
"As such, the name of Naga country is Nagaland - no other name. And no other constitution and no other flag except the constitution and flag of the FGN," he said.
Reminding that the occasion is also a day for thanksgiving, Metha stated that Nagas are blessed in many ways, which can be counted both at the individual level and at the national level. However, the most important ones, he said, are "Nagas as a nation with one destiny on this earth and as Christians for eternity."
Earlier, the Kedahge unfurled the national flag and took the salute while Rev. Hotokhu Zhimomi, director, Development and Outreach SABK and Rev. Neilievi-o Zuyie, pastor of Chedema Baptist Church read the scripture and offered prayers.
Blowing of trumpet from Shekhopa Venuh was followed by releasing of a souvenir of FGN, "Platinum Jubilee of Nagaland Independence Declaration (14.8.1947 - 14.8.2022)".
Awards were presented to Midan Peyus, former Kedahge, C-in-C, Naga Army including past generals, organising committee, heads of NNC and FGN besides tatars, Naga Army, FGN, national defence advisory board (NDAB) members, Mayam Riyam judges while military service medals were awarded to several army personnel and posthumous awards were also given away.
Performances from various cultural troupes including church choir and other artistes marked the event.