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TOUPHEMA — Revisiting the Naga political history that took place in Touphema village on April 12, 1955, NNC/FGN on Friday inaugurated a commemorative monolith. It was on this day the Nagas resolved that “There will be no political organisation of international or foreign character in Nagaland.”
The monolith was unveiled by Gen. (retired) Viyalie Metha, Kedahge (president) of the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN), which was erected by the Touphema village.
It was stated that subsequent to the public meeting in Touphema village, the resolution was ratified on April 27, 1955 at the Naga National Council (NNC) meeting at Lakhuti, which was better known as Lakhuti resolution in the Naga political history to this day.
The monolith unveiling ceremony was led by Neitho-o Kense, convenor, and Rev. Dr. Gelhou Seyie, pastor of Touphema Baptist Church, who offered the prayer.
Addressing the event, Akho Meru, FGN kilonser of Homaki (education), informed that on April 12, 1955, the public stood up to support the Naga cause. He called upon the participants on Friday’s event to recommit themselves to the cause of Naga nation.
He expressed concern over the polarisation of the society in the present situation where truth and honesty are diminishing. He, however, exuded hope that those who uphold truth would prosper and grow.
Meru pointed out that there are many people, who have knowledge yet lack wisdom, while there also existed many rich persons who have not overcome poverty and there are also some less privileged who are more generously living unlike the haves.
This, he said, honest people live richly and contended unlike those who get rich by other means.
He asserted that Nagas have its uniqueness and been existing as an entity with a strong identity based on “Urra Uvvie” which literally means “Our country belongs to us” and not to forgo to someone else.
Recalling the meeting held at Touphema village 69 years ago (1955), he stated that it stood as a testament and laid the foundation to uphold the uniqueness of the Naga identity and history from mainland Indians. Meru recounted that AZ Phizo, on that day, advised the Naga people to sacrifice and endure with tears, pain and death and uphold truth and honesty without fear to stand as a Naga nation.
Highlighting the various turns of events in history, he stated that God had anointed the Naga nationhood and used the right person at the right time and place to fulfill His purposes.
In this regard, he advised the national workers, religious leaders and civil society leaders to seek God first and keep a cordial relation. While underlining the importance to know the Naga history and its political struggles, he called upon young people to remember the sacrifices of the elders who had ensured the hardship for them to enjoy the fruits now.
A speech was also delivered by Thepfuselie, NNC president of Angami Regional Council (ARC), who called upon the gathering and the younger generation to dedicate themselves for the Naga cause.
Pfuduolhou Kense, chairman of Touphema Village Council (TVC), stated that the April 12, 1955 meeting held under the leadership of AZ Phizo in the village holds significance in Naga history. He also narrated the atrocities committed by the Indian army, which prompted the menfolk to join the national movement.
On the occasion, the Touphema village honoured four surviving national workers from the village, who went to China for the Naga nation.
Short speeches were also delivered by Lhouvitsu, speaker of FGN tatar hoho; Maj. Gen. Ruguselie and others.