Rev. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
By the grace and constant sustenance of the Almighty God we could come together again on 6th September, 2011 on the occasion of this Commemoration-cum-Thanksgiving Service of the 48th Indo-Naga Cease Fire Day at this historic Chedema Peace Camp, Chedema.
Indeed we always keep in mind the beginning of peace works and express our gratitude to Peace Committee of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council(NBCC) for all that they have done in the past and even today. I thank you for giving me this opportunity to give a short talk on behalf of Naga National Council(NNC) and Federal Government of Nagaland(FGN). My humble and respectful greetings to you all.
Most remarkably, in the third Nagaland Baptist Convention of the three day Session at Wokha from 31st January to 2nd February, 1964 well attended by representatives from different Associations of Nagaland had unanimously passed a resolution to set up a Peace Mission with an eye to find out ways and means in order to restore peace and normalcy as well as a peaceful solution of a decade old Indo-Naga conflict. Following the historic resolution, a Nagaland Peace Mission was set up with the followings as members;
1) Late Jayaprakash Narayan, a Sarvodaya leader,
2) Late Reverend Michael Scott; a British citizen and
3) Late Bimala Prasad Chaliha, the then Chief Minister of Assam .
Concerned church leaders of Nagaland could insistently persuaded leaders of the Government of India and arranged to relax the Indian Army operation for 8 days in 4 villages. Accordingly, the church leaders along with Rev. Michael Scott walked and walked in jungle path rain or sunshine and reached Zeliangrong Region and met the Kedahge of the Federal Government of Nagaland and his colleagues at Tamphom village. Where they together discussed ways and means to bring about Indo-Naga Cease-fire. As a consequence, the Federal leaders verbally gave green signal to have Cease-fire.
Tirelessly they shouldered it for five months in conducting the negotiations to actualise the Cessation of Hostilities on the 6th September, 1964. But eventfully the major step that was taken was people in great number gathered together at Sakraba in Chakhesang Region on 24th May, 1964 where the Naga Federal leaders, the church leaders and Peace Mission Members were present. The public had witnessed the meeting held for the peace and normalcy in Nagaland. This was a memorable day in Nagaland.
Rightfully, the Dawn of Peace had been kindled in Naga country by the Nagaland Peace Mission instituted by Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) in 1964 at Sakraba, Chakhesang Region.
Indeed, Indo-Naga Cease-Fire Day is a historic event, where the members of Nagaland Peace Mission and dedicated Church leaders had brought about through heavy Indian Military troop movements between the Govt. of India and the Federal Government of Nagaland, after long toiled or sweat and involving high security. They had well done. We very much thank them of their achievement for peace and normalcy in Nagaland. The gun-battle came to a halt after a decade or so of the Indo-Naga conflict. There was a relieve of Indian Armed Forces brutality, and tears from every eye of mourning mothers, sisters, children, etc. were wiped away. And families were united and normal occupation resumed. And thus the peace makers are blessed.
And as a result of the Indo-Naga Cease-Fire the representatives of the two governments, India and Nagaland had peace talks on September 23, 1964 first at Chedema Peace Hall, Chedema village, Angami Region. Thus peace talks continued at Khensa Peace Hall, Khensa village, Ao Region and Chedema Peace Hall. After several rounds of peace talks in Nagaland, the Peace talks were raised to Prime Ministerial level; late Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India and Naga delegates led by Ato Kilonser, late Gughato Sukhai in New Delhi. In the 6th round of Peace Talks in Delhi the two Prime Ministers, India and Nagaland happened to come to a deadlock in October, 1967.
Following the deadlock of peace talks in New Delhi peaceful atmosphere became uneasy mostly in places where church leaders and public leaders are not strong and thereby situation became very uncertain in many parts of Nagaland like Shepoumaramth, Zeliangrong, Sumi etc.
Later the Govt. of India unilaterally abrogated the Indo-Naga Cease-fire in August, 1972 in violation of its own commitment. Whatever may be the situation in Nagaland the Federal Government of Nagaland reasonably continues to uphold the Indo-Naga Cease-fire of 1964 till date so that our people feel strong to work hand in hand.
Instead of stepping up to strengthen peace and normalcy it seems that a few anti-Naga elements and enemy agents attempt again and again to annul peaceful atmosphere in some Regions of Nagaland. And such kind of attitude or intent should not have been encouraged in any form/shape; rather we should encourage each other to hold ourselves together and sweat together for our people where true peace and normalcy be maintained in close co-operation and understanding with concerned young and old clergymen of Mission Field in Nagaland.
Even today and in the days to come it shall be remembered that, at that point of time all walks of life of the Nagas toiled and sweated together for peace works led by God fearing and courageous church leaders to safeguard the Naga lives and nation. On this historic occasion, I appeal to the churches and its leaders and every Naga in general to pursue peace and safeguard the Naga nation; as enumerated by the Naga National Council (NNC) from the days of the former NNC President, A.Z. Phizo even before India attained its independence. To this day, and in the days to come NNC shall uphold the Naga national right and ceaselessly work to free the Naga nation from Indian occupation through non-violence.
“Blessed are the Peacemakers”.
Urra Uvie
L. Kaiso
Secretary
Naga National Council,
Nagaland.
By the grace and constant sustenance of the Almighty God we could come together again on 6th September, 2011 on the occasion of this Commemoration-cum-Thanksgiving Service of the 48th Indo-Naga Cease Fire Day at this historic Chedema Peace Camp, Chedema.
Indeed we always keep in mind the beginning of peace works and express our gratitude to Peace Committee of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council(NBCC) for all that they have done in the past and even today. I thank you for giving me this opportunity to give a short talk on behalf of Naga National Council(NNC) and Federal Government of Nagaland(FGN). My humble and respectful greetings to you all.
Most remarkably, in the third Nagaland Baptist Convention of the three day Session at Wokha from 31st January to 2nd February, 1964 well attended by representatives from different Associations of Nagaland had unanimously passed a resolution to set up a Peace Mission with an eye to find out ways and means in order to restore peace and normalcy as well as a peaceful solution of a decade old Indo-Naga conflict. Following the historic resolution, a Nagaland Peace Mission was set up with the followings as members;
1) Late Jayaprakash Narayan, a Sarvodaya leader,
2) Late Reverend Michael Scott; a British citizen and
3) Late Bimala Prasad Chaliha, the then Chief Minister of Assam .
Concerned church leaders of Nagaland could insistently persuaded leaders of the Government of India and arranged to relax the Indian Army operation for 8 days in 4 villages. Accordingly, the church leaders along with Rev. Michael Scott walked and walked in jungle path rain or sunshine and reached Zeliangrong Region and met the Kedahge of the Federal Government of Nagaland and his colleagues at Tamphom village. Where they together discussed ways and means to bring about Indo-Naga Cease-fire. As a consequence, the Federal leaders verbally gave green signal to have Cease-fire.
Tirelessly they shouldered it for five months in conducting the negotiations to actualise the Cessation of Hostilities on the 6th September, 1964. But eventfully the major step that was taken was people in great number gathered together at Sakraba in Chakhesang Region on 24th May, 1964 where the Naga Federal leaders, the church leaders and Peace Mission Members were present. The public had witnessed the meeting held for the peace and normalcy in Nagaland. This was a memorable day in Nagaland.
Rightfully, the Dawn of Peace had been kindled in Naga country by the Nagaland Peace Mission instituted by Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) in 1964 at Sakraba, Chakhesang Region.
Indeed, Indo-Naga Cease-Fire Day is a historic event, where the members of Nagaland Peace Mission and dedicated Church leaders had brought about through heavy Indian Military troop movements between the Govt. of India and the Federal Government of Nagaland, after long toiled or sweat and involving high security. They had well done. We very much thank them of their achievement for peace and normalcy in Nagaland. The gun-battle came to a halt after a decade or so of the Indo-Naga conflict. There was a relieve of Indian Armed Forces brutality, and tears from every eye of mourning mothers, sisters, children, etc. were wiped away. And families were united and normal occupation resumed. And thus the peace makers are blessed.
And as a result of the Indo-Naga Cease-Fire the representatives of the two governments, India and Nagaland had peace talks on September 23, 1964 first at Chedema Peace Hall, Chedema village, Angami Region. Thus peace talks continued at Khensa Peace Hall, Khensa village, Ao Region and Chedema Peace Hall. After several rounds of peace talks in Nagaland, the Peace talks were raised to Prime Ministerial level; late Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the Prime Minister of India and Naga delegates led by Ato Kilonser, late Gughato Sukhai in New Delhi. In the 6th round of Peace Talks in Delhi the two Prime Ministers, India and Nagaland happened to come to a deadlock in October, 1967.
Following the deadlock of peace talks in New Delhi peaceful atmosphere became uneasy mostly in places where church leaders and public leaders are not strong and thereby situation became very uncertain in many parts of Nagaland like Shepoumaramth, Zeliangrong, Sumi etc.
Later the Govt. of India unilaterally abrogated the Indo-Naga Cease-fire in August, 1972 in violation of its own commitment. Whatever may be the situation in Nagaland the Federal Government of Nagaland reasonably continues to uphold the Indo-Naga Cease-fire of 1964 till date so that our people feel strong to work hand in hand.
Instead of stepping up to strengthen peace and normalcy it seems that a few anti-Naga elements and enemy agents attempt again and again to annul peaceful atmosphere in some Regions of Nagaland. And such kind of attitude or intent should not have been encouraged in any form/shape; rather we should encourage each other to hold ourselves together and sweat together for our people where true peace and normalcy be maintained in close co-operation and understanding with concerned young and old clergymen of Mission Field in Nagaland.
Even today and in the days to come it shall be remembered that, at that point of time all walks of life of the Nagas toiled and sweated together for peace works led by God fearing and courageous church leaders to safeguard the Naga lives and nation. On this historic occasion, I appeal to the churches and its leaders and every Naga in general to pursue peace and safeguard the Naga nation; as enumerated by the Naga National Council (NNC) from the days of the former NNC President, A.Z. Phizo even before India attained its independence. To this day, and in the days to come NNC shall uphold the Naga national right and ceaselessly work to free the Naga nation from Indian occupation through non-violence.
“Blessed are the Peacemakers”.
Urra Uvie
L. Kaiso
Secretary
Naga National Council,
Nagaland.
