Born on 21st March, 1926 at Süngratsu Village, under Mokokchung District, has served the Naga Nation in different capacities for the past 57 year. With his vigor, velour and a man of simplicity rose to the rank of President of NNC form a mere Sepoy.
Gen. I Panger Walling, the third sippling was born to Imtimeren Walling and Koralemla Ozukum. Being born form a linage of warriors, leaders and a patriotic person he distinguished himself from the others, be it in the social arena or in the movement for the Naga Independence.
He attended school till class three (3) at his own native village at Süngratsu, then in Impur ME School in 1943 till class-6 and in Jorhat BB Govt. Aided High School till class VIII (8) in 1947. He join the Assam Regiment and served the Indian Army for 11years. The turning point in his life was on 29th April 1956, He was back to his native village for a vacation, when the 8th Gorkha Rifle Battalion, at around 5:00 AM, after gathering all his villagers at Impur Village Gate burned the entire Village to ashes no one was allowed to take any of their belongings.
Thereafter, his conservation with Mr. Phukan, the OC of 8th Gorkha Regiment Battalion, where the said officer has called the national workers as traitors and also forced him to locate the Headquarters of the national workers, so that the so called “Traitors” could be flushed out. This incident convinced him to join hands with the national workers and on 30-04-1956 he joint the NNC from there on he turned back and served the Naga nation for 57 years until his death on 5-6-2012.
Besides his achievements being so colorfully decorated yet he has also faced so many hardships in his life. He was arrested by the Indian Army on 27-3-1957 from Molung Camp, at Molungkimong and was imprisoned at Merangkong Army Camp. He escaped from the Army Camp on 29-3-1957, Even his family had to pay for this cause when his dearest wife Mrs. Jepdakyangla, his daughter Limakumla and his elder brother Mr. Rendinungba were arrested on 12-12-1961amd imprisoned at Ghaspani Jail for 6 months. Gen. I Panger Walling under his initiative has build the Khensa Peace Talk Camp in 1964. He led the NNC delegation team to Bangkok, Thailand to meet the NSCN leaders Issac Swu and Th. Muviah for reconciliation on 1-5-2003. He also led the NNC delegation to Kachin, Myanmar to meet the NSCN leader SS Khaplang for reconciliation on 28-12-2003. On 24-10-2006 he also met the NBCC and the Quiker Team from UK and emphasis to the point that to have a final and lasting solution among the Nagas talks should be held with all the groups and bring a consensus solution. The Indian Army as well as the other factions in Nagaland has tried their best to make him either surrender to Indian Government or to the other factions but he did not surrender before anyone, throughout his life, he was true to his calling which he understood so clearly and stood by it.
His contribution to the Naga Nation has been immense; some of the milestone achievements are mention herein below:
1. 30-04-1956- Joint NNC movement as a Sepoy.
2. 15-5-1956- Promoted as full Lieutenant and Intelligent Officer on NNC.
3. 29-1-1957- Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and CO Ao Region.
4. 4-10-1957- Promoted to Brigadier.
5. 15-8-1962- Transferred to Northern Command as GOC.
6. 12-10-1966- Promoted to Major General Northern Command.
7. 9-12-2000- Elected as Vice President NNC.
8. 14-3-2003- Elected as President NNC.
Besides his active involvement in the Naga national movement, he was also the General Secretary of Aoli Mongsen Mungdang from 15-10-1980 to 13-02-2009, as well as Aoli Walling Mungdang for more than 20 years. General I Panger Walling is one of the pioneers of NNC and the working President of NNC till his death, yet he was a man of simplicity sacrificing his entire life for the cause of Naga Freedom, who has withstood the darkness hours in Naga history, leaves behind memories of sacrifices, hardships, piles of personal diaries where he mentions his memories only he had no riches or property. He was a person of simple living serving the Naga Nation for 57 years. He was survived by his wife, 5 children, 1 grant children and one great grant child. Let honour be given to him for which he so richly deserves by keeping alive the ideals and values for which he selflessly dedicated and devoted his life for the Nation. May he live in our hearts forever.
“I FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT”
Gen. I. Panger Walling
Kuknalim.
Prepared by: Alang Zhimomi, on behalf of family members.
