FGN Kedahge, Gen. (Retd), Viyalie Metha, taking salute on the occasion of the 59th Nagaland Republic Day at Chedema Peace Camp on Saturday.
Correspondent
KOHIMA, MARCH 22
The Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) Kedahge (president), Gen. (Retd.) Viyalie Metha today asked “our elite groups” to step forward and make use of their intellect and wisdom towards nation building rather than accusing and abusing each other through the media. Stating this in his address during the observation of the 59th Nagaland Republic Day at Chedema Peace Camp on Saturday, Metha asserted that the time has come for all to unite for the good cause of the nation.
Unfurling the Naga national flag on the occasion, the FGN leader, who conveyed greetings to the Naga people on behalf of the FGN, added, “we pay our respect and national honour to our past national leaders and workers.”
He said the 59th Republic Day of “Naga Nationhood” is being celebrated with mixed feelings. “We are happy because by God’s grace, our Nation’s foundation was secured and laid on the solid rock that no power can deny us our right…but at the same time there is sadness in our mind because our country is still under siege of invaders, the Indian occupational forces,” Metha said. He asserted that India is a nation proud of her greatness in democracy and champion of ‘Ahimsa’ (non-violence) written in her history. However, he said that within seven years of becoming independent, India’s war with Nagas was set in motion. He pointed that by 1964, even after an international cease-fire agreement was signed between the Government of India and the FGN, the former had deviated and evaded the truth to settle the Indo-Naga conflict thereby resulting in a “record breaking time of unresolved conflict” in the modern history. He stated that India must do away with her dream to annex Nagaland.
Metha claimed that while the policy of the Naga National Council (NNC) and the FGN is to maintain peace and tranquility in the land and peaceful coexistence with all nations, India took advantage of their restraint to use “few gullible Nagas as its henchmen” to kill Nagas. Terming such crime as shameful, the FGN leader said these perpetrators must wake up and be aware that killing one’s own people is sinful before God neither will it benefit them or the nation. He underscored that the Naga people were known for their hospitality, honesty and independence, and they were known to settle any dispute promptly according to their traditional customary practice. “This culture and tradition are meant for us to uphold, protect and preserve for posterity. We shall not allow alien culture into Naga society,” he asserted.
He also stated that Nagaland is blessed with plenty of natural wealth beneath as well on the land surface which must be used in the best interest of its people. He, however, pointed out that some “self-seeking people under cover of enemy power” continue to violate the national stand against unscrupulous exploitations. “Such activities must be stopped,” he said and further observes that in the fast changing world, it is the people’s responsibility to live according to God’s will and as truly enlightened and concerned citizens. He stated that anyone born of Naga blood is a citizen and a member of the NNC, adding, and the nation needs all right thinking citizen to stand together for “the common purpose”.
NNC president, Adino Phizo was also present at the programme, however, she did not address the gathering.
The programme was chaired by Wung Region “midan peyu”, Capt. (Retd.) L Yirei while Chedema Baptist Church secretary, Vilelhoulie invoked God’s blessing on the occasion. CRC Chedema, Col. Ala, Namdiliang and Hraili presented songs and closing prayer was pronounced by CRC Chedema assistant pastor, Neisato.
