General (Retd) Viyalie Metha
Kedahge, Federal Government of Nagaland
All Glory to God, the Creator of Universe, Who set our people apart and made us one among the nations. He bestowed upon us a land enchriched with countless treasures to be called our own-Nagaland.
66 years ago, God gathered our Naga National Council leaders from their respective regions to the historic place of Parashen in Rengma Region, on 22nd March 1956 our leaders inaugurated the formation of the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN). We are eternally grateful to our leaders of ages past for their vision and sacrifices.
We share border with China in the north, Manipur in the south, Burma in the east and Assam in the west and the people living along these frontiers are our own. History testifies to the fact that Nagas have always been free people. We were never under the yoke of any foreign rule or monarchy. We lived in village states where everyone was equal. Every region had its own unique customs and tradition. Every village was self-sufficient and defended its pride fiercely. Every family worked hard to produce food for themselves and governed by their own customary laws based on fairness, justice, equality and honesty. In religion and spirituality, they worship neither hand-carved deities nor inanimate objects but lived in awe and reverence of the Being who created all things and acknowledged Him as the sole owner of the earth and skies above as their God.
The Britishers, following the annexation of Ahom and Meitei kingdoms, came to our land to do the same but after witnessing the courage and sacrifices of our ancestors to protect their inherent rights, made peace and set up their administration in some parts of our land for some time.
The British had left, India forced it’s dominion over us. This marked the beginning of Indian Army’s atrocities on our people. Tens of thousands of our people were killed; national workers were taken captive and tortured mercilessly before being killed like wild animals, thousands of women were raped and stripped of their dignity, more than nine hundred Villages were burned and completely destroyed.
However, this violent invasion could not defeat us nor deter us from defending and loving our country. So the Government of India resorted to political trickery and bribery to induce few Nagas calling themselves as the Naga People Convention resulting in the creation of an illegitimate Puppet State without the mandate of the Naga People and its authority concerned. So Naga National Council and Federal Government of Nagaland did not recognize the action of the so-called NPC as the NPC itself was neither a mandated organization and worked in direct contravention to Lakhuti Resolution and the Yehzabo of Nagaland.
The creation of the State brought more turmoil and conflict, so the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) took initiative and formed the Peace Mission which eventually succeeded in negotiating a Cease-fire Agreement between the Federal Government of Nagaland and the Government of India in 1964. Even to this day, we stand true to this agreement.
From 1954 we bear witness to our pain and suffering, our sacrifices and courage, our faith and victory. My dear countrymen, We have weathered the stormy night, we have passed the test of time. As we celebrate the 66th Republic Day today, we pay homage to our patriots, who with faith instilled in them from above, gave their yesterday for our today. Their sacrifices shall forever be engraved in our hearts. With eternal God as our witness, let us pledge, as one people, one nation, in one voice to continue their legacy to set our people free.
May God bless us all
KUKNALIM
