Speech of Gen. (Rtd) Thinuoselie M. Keyho on 62nd Cease-Fire Day

Dear citizens of Nagaland,

            I am very happy to get this opportunity to address the Nation again today, the 6th September, 2025, the 62nd Cease-fire Day. Coinciding with this peace day, I convey my best wishes to all peace-loving people of Nagaland. 

The aim of the Naga National Council (NNC) was to uphold our birthright as a sovereign nation on democratic platform. Therefore, our core policy was ‘Non-Violence.” Nagas are too few compared to Indians, one of the most populated nations in the world. This was openly expressed by Gundevia, the Indian representative while the cease-fire was under process. He said, “Nagas are only a handful.” Yes, Nagas may be a handful but we have our own land given by God and nobody has the right to claim that land. Therefore, the problem in Nagaland is external aggression and we are determined to fight against it, as stated earlier, on democratic platform.  The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution No.  1542 (XV), recognised that the desire for independence was rightful aspiration of the people under colonial subjugation.   Therefore, the Indian approach to the Naga problem was a miscarriage of justice.

Why a cease-fire was necessary? What are the reasons that led to the signing of the cease-fire agreement of 1964? Nagas were peace-loving people, They upheld their unique history in a most peaceful manner, such as the Memorandum submitted to the Simon Commission, the declaration of Naga Independence on 14th August, 1947, one day ahead of India, and the Voluntary Plebiscite of 1951, where 99.9% voted in favour of Naga Sovereignty, etc.

The Indian government wanted to suppress all these unique histories of the Nagas, and therefore, sent their army into Nagaland in big number in the mid 1950s. They themselves had mentioned that at one time the number of Indian army present in Nagaland was one to one with Naga male population.

We are all aware that it was the Indian army who started all violent activities; who burnt down our villages, some villages were burnt not once but as many as six-seven times; they burnt our granaries with the intention to starve us, and raped our wives and daughters. There were instances where the Indian army took some girls to the church and raped them on the church pulpit at Yankali in Lotha area. They desecrated and destroyed our churches and ordered their army to kill all the Christians when they invaded the free Nagaland in the 1950s, saying that Christianity should be destroyed. They arrested the innocent villagers on suspicion under AFSPA, tortured them, which either caused death or incapacitate the victim. Above all, Nagas have lost so many precious lives not in terms of thousands but in term of lakhs.   

The Indian elites today must feel embarrassed to read or listen to the beastly and barbaric behaviour of the Indian army during the 1950s and 60s in Nagaland, inflicting untold miseries to the Naga people like the Nazis did during the WW II and how the present German elite feel embarrassed to talk or listen to the stories of Nazi regime under Adolf Hitler. 

During this time, the third Baptist Church Convention was held at Wokha from January 31st to 2nd February, 1964, which was attended by more than 5000 delegates. The gathering unanimously resolved to request the government of India through Nagaland government to make the services of Shri Jayaprakash Narayan; Shri Bimala Prasad Chaliha and Rev. Michael Scott available with the sole objective of exploring ways and means for speedy restoration of peace and normalcy in Nagaland. 

The Peace Mission was thus formed to bring about normalcy. It worked out a peace proposal: (a) the Indian Army have to suspend jungle operation, raiding the underground camps, patrolling beyond 1000 yards of security posts, searching of villages, aerial action and arrests; and (b) the Naga Army to suspend sniping and ambushing, imposition of fines, kidnapping and recruitment, sabotage activities, raiding and firing at security posts, towns and administrative centres.

The Federal government of Nagaland signed the Cease-fire Agreement with the Peace Mission as early as 24th May, 1964 at Sakraba in Phek District. Likewise, the Governor of Nagaland, on behalf of the government of India, also agreed to the proposal, and therefore, the Peace Mission was busy making necessary consultations and preparations in collaboration with both the groups as well as NBCC leaders. Finally, they officially declared cease-fire between the government of India and the Federal government of Nagaland on 6th September, 1964, at Chedema.

Naga people were grateful to the wisdom of the leaders of Federal Government of Nagaland and the invaluable services rendered by the Peace Mission members as well as the government of India.

On that auspicious day, the then Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri, in his massage said: “There is, however, no doubt that almost all the people are keen to restore peace and normal condition in that State. I am glad that efforts have been made in that direction and the 6th September will surely be a happy day for the people who live in Nagaland.”  Shastri was short lived and Indira Gandhi took over the government. The six rounds of talk were conducted by Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, and Kughato Sukhai, the then Prime Minister of the Federal Government of Nagaland.

But unfortunately, the talk failed after six rounds. Although no official declaration was made to abrogate the cease-fire, it was the Indian government who slowly slipped back to the violent position.

As for the Nagas, we still respect and recognise the spirit of the Cease-fire of 1964, and therefore, continue to observe it every year to demonstrate our longing for permanent peace.  This is all about history. Now, we are hoping that a new dawn of peace is fast approaching and that day to have permanent peace may not be far off.  I am, therefore, appealing to the inner conscience of all Naga citizens to take firm and uncompromised stand towards Naga National Council and the Federal Government of Nagaland.  NNC/FGN will be the nucleus for the Naga people to see the good days ahead.

Gen.(Rtd) Thinuoselie M. Keyho

President, Naga National Council (NNC)