NNC/FGN observes 64th Naga Plebiscite Day
Principal Correspondent
Kohima, May 16
Naga National Council (NNC) president Adinno Phizo while lamenting that the conflict between India and Nagas is yet to be resolved, stated that a section of Nagas is being used by India with its ‘occupational forces’ empowered by the order of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) of 1958 and conducting the so-called ‘election’ and ‘peace process’ in Nagaland.
Adinno’s message was read out by NNC secretary L. Kaiso in her absentia on the occasion of 64th anniversary of Naga Plebiscite Day held at Chedema Peace Camp in Kohima on Saturday.
Recalling that under the leadership of the then NNC president A Z Phizo, the Naga people overwhelmingly opted for a single national identity on May 16, 1951 not to join India, Adinno said that the result was significant for the Nagas, but it angered the then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlala Nehru.
She said that “the love of our country to save it is paramount and straight forward, not in several ways”.
In this hour of need, it is to understand the situation and to pursue justice and peace with India, she said adding that the Nagas are not against India but “we have got nothing to compromise with, because Nagaland is not a part of India from the very beginning”.
“The Nagas enjoy freedom and equality. Our village system is in harmony and not in chaos,” Adinno stated while also expressing that “no right thinking Naga will ever think of losing Nagaland, because he/she thinks that it is forever theirs”.
“The stand and position of Nagaland is simple and clear— we are living in our country, that is God given Nagaland,” the NNC president added.
One of the living signatories of the 1951 Plebiscite, ‘major general’ NNC/FGN Rüguosielie said that it was willful signature campaign, wherein the Nagas came forward in unison to put the thumb impression declaring ‘our land belongs to us’ while also conveying the clear message to the outside forces to ‘leave Nagas alone’. He therefore reiterated that still “we stand with the declaration”.
On the occasion, former vice principal of Patkai Christian College (Autonomous) Kolezo Chase reminded the gathering that “the Indo-Naga problem is not one of India’s political problem, but that of a bilateral problem – a problem between two nations, one so tiny and the other so huge.
Chase said that the problem is an outcome of India’s gross disrespect of Naga nationality and nationhood with a tinge of fear of her equally powerful neighbours.
He, however noted that on the part of Naga people, “we have compounded the problem by further division among ourselves due to our inept understanding of India’s design to legitimise her illegitimate occupation of our country”.
“Whatever the case may be the Naga Plebiscite certifies us as a people sovereign and free.
It consigned India’s right of occupation of Nagaland to the dust. It is therefore a foregone conclusion that the Nagas and Nagaland are sovereign as much as India and Indians are sovereign,” he said.
“Sovereignty cannot be given or taken. It is the expressed will of the people of a nation. The Plebiscite is the expressed will of the Nagas to live as a nation State, sovereign and free from external interference and aggression from any country around us,” he added.
He also said that the talk of early solution is just to keep many of our people tantalised and cheated, where is and what is the solution?
Inspite of division a nation state is still a nation state, he said adding that sovereignty is non-negotiable, as it was affirmed and established by the Plebiscite 64 years ago. “It is therefore not India’s job or any other country’s to give it to us,” he added.
Nonetheless, Chase maintained that “killing among ourselves, forming and manufacturing different political group by factionalising ourselves is a negation of God’s plan for our people.
“No Naga or group of Nagas should arm themselves against their own Naga brothers,” he maintained. Nagas loving one another, trusting one another, asking forgiveness from one another can revive the solidarity and oneness we had at the beginning of our struggle against the might of Indian occupational forces, he said.
Factional killing and division among ourselves is tantamount to waging proxy war for India’s success in perpetuating her occupation of our country, he said.
Further expressing that the period of arm struggle is over, he said that that now is the era of struggle between lies and truth. “Let us have much courage to live out the truth in our life as we have the courage to die for the truth as Nagaland is a sovereign and independent nation state,” Chase quipped.
Chaired by social activist Kaka D. Iralu, pastor of Khiamniungan Baptist Church Rev. Pomo read the scripture and pronounced invocation. Special songs were presented by Tangkhul and Chakhesang Baptist Church Kohima.
The observation concluded with special prayer for Naga nation, which was attended by joined by FGN kedahge general Viyalie Metha, NNC tatar hoho speaker Lhouvitsu and host of dignitaries.
