The Naga labor corp. was one of the greatest Naga gatherings and a symbol of unity during the first world war (1914-1918). They were recruited to go to Europe as a labor corp. but instead they saw it as an adventure. The story goes on that the Naga corp. constituted of 2000 Nagas from different tribe led by Dr. Khosa Zinyü and they traveled to different European countries efficiently executing whatever work was entrusted to them. The Naga labor corp. returned in the year 1918 from their European expedition and the very same year the Naga Club was also formed.
Being a Naga, if I look back I choose to see the formation of the Naga Club in 1918 as a divine intervention, a plan of God so that we the Nagas will have a story to tell and inspire us for generations to follow. In 1918, my father Late Mr. Zhadelie Ziephrü was studying in kohima Mission School in 6th standard and judging on that the founding members of the Naga club were about the age of his uncle and father at that time. The Naga Club was founded with the intention to unite all Nagas living in Indian territory, Burma etc. a club for all Nagas without borders.
The Naga Club submitted its historic memorandum to the Simon Commission in the year 1929. The British Government in India taking into account the rights and the ethnic difference of the Nagas, passed the 1935 Act recognizing the Naga hills and adjourning area as an excluded area. This laid the foundation of the Naga freedom cause and on its principle we stand till today all owing to the Naga Club and its members at that time.
At this present moment with both the Naga Club and NSF wanting to host the centenary celebration, as entrusted APO tried its best to broker an understanding between both parties. APO delegated two teams to both the party for dialogue and both the APO team met the Angami leaders on both side. However, a common understanding could not be established and APO was unable to bridge the gap between the two parties. APO regrets the situation that currently prevails but still hopes that a sense of brotherhood and understanding will prevail between both the organization. It is APO's stand that the Naga Club centenary celebration is an auspicious occasion for each and every Naga and the occasion should be celebrated on the facts of the Naga Club and the factual story of the Naga Club should not be distorted. It is APO's wish that the centenary celebration of the Naga Club will lay down the factual foundations of our Naga history for the upcoming generations and this occasion will educate and inspire us for the better.
Neisakholie Ziephru
General Secretary, APO
