Naga National Council observes 66th anniversary of Naga Plebiscite Day
Our Correspondent
Chedema, May 16 (EMN): The Naga National Council observed the 66th anniversary of Naga Plebiscite Day today at Chedema Peace Camp, a few kilometres away from the state capital.
Addressing the ‘nation’ on this day, the NNC president Adinno Phizo, while reiterating that Nagas are not Indians, slammed the Naga political groups who have been playing politics with the Indian government, whom she termed as the ‘enemy’ of the Nagas.
“Nagas are not Indians and Nagaland is not Indian territory. At present, our country is in a chaotic situation because of India’s armed occupation of our country. This is the absolute and indisputable historical fact,” the NNC president said pointing it out to be unfortunate that “a few Naga groups have been playing politics with the enemy.”
Mentioning that Nagas are not demanding anything from India, she affirmed that “the present situation is aggression by India and the solution would be the simple act of India withdrawing from Nagaland.”
Reminding the Nagas about the national plebiscite held on May 16, 1951, she said this was necessitated to show India’s doubt on the Nagas that “only a few educated Nagas were talking about independence.”
Mentioning about the transparency of the Naga plebiscite, she elaborated that it was held openly without any secrecy. It is worth mentioning that 99.9 percent of the Nagas gave their thumb impression not to join the Indian union and expressed their wish to be independent.
“The result of the plebiscite was an overwhelming verdict to show both India and the world that the Nagas stand for independence,” Adinno said while she also fondly remembered those people who took part in the plebiscite.
“Many people who took part in the plebiscite are no longer with us, but we will remember the people who saved our country,” she said.
“The problem with India is that they see the Nagas as uncivilized. But Nagas are a matured people and that is why we will continue to uphold our rights whatsoever circumstances we face in these troubled times,” the NNC president said adding that “the Naga people have given their best to save Nagaland.”
Remembering the people who laid down their lives in the hands of the cruel Indian armed forces, Adinno was thankful to God for having mercy on the Nagas by saving them from the might of a great nation like India.
The programme, chaired by CEC member Kolezo Chase, commenced with invocation pronounced by Rev Phomlee Van, pastor, Phom Baptist Church, Kohima, while Day Spring from Rengma Baptist Church, Kohima presented a special number. An exhibition and sharing on plebiscite documents was also presented during the programme.
The 66th plebiscite day was also attended by FGN president Viyalie Metha, among others, while NNC leaders from across the state took part in the day’s programme.
