‘Naga Nation is a nation of History’ 

Morung Express news 
Kohima | August 14

Timikha Koza, Advocate today called the Nagas especially the younger generation to continue to hold our political history by remembering the strength of our people who underwent tremendous difficulties but continued to defend our land to remain as a people. 

Delivering the keynote address during the 77th Naga Independence Day Celebration at Naga Solidarity Park, Kohima, Koza said that nobody can distort the history but asserted that it is the bounden duty of the younger generation to safeguard it.

Koza said that Naga history is called unique and is unique in itself because of the firm stand taken by Naga leaders’ decades back. “Naga Nation is a nation of History, without a history, we would have ceased to exist as a nation,” This stand, Koza said “was not to sign the accession document as an affirmation that we are different.”

“This is the reason why we celebrate the uniqueness till today with heart and soul,” he added. 

He said although, through all these years, the Indian Government has been devising delay tactic and imposing draconian laws in the Naga inhabited areas like the Armed forces special Powers Act (AFSPA), Prevention of Unlawful Activities act to let Nagas undergo tremendous difficulties with the intention to filter those who have lived during the peak of the struggle. 

He asked the people to remember the strength of our people who underwent tremendous difficulties which is noteworthy as we continued to remain in our land and guarded our homes and remained as a people. “Villages were burnt down and people were compelled to flee to jungles but we never became refugees. We came back and settled down and rebuilt our homes,” he narrated. Despite all these, the Nagas have been waiting for the political negotiation. “Forces against us will continue but our feeling of unity and oneness must grow stronger,” he challenged. 
Young people, today, Koza lamented are forgetting our history and said, “Unless we carry forward the legacy and develop a sense of belonging.” Although Nagas are in a better position and situation today unlike the era of conflict and violence and exist and continue as peaceful people, we must not forget the sacrifice of the past leaders, the speaker said. 

While talks is still in negotiation, Koza said, we as intellectuals must continue to discuss wherever it is necessary and awaken the civil societies all over and hold peaceful rallies to usher our voice for peaceful settlement without further delay. 

Koza further called to treat the Naga flag with honour as it isn't just a printed cloth. It defines a revelation for the Nagas with a rainbow and Star of David and was women by two Rengma women from Sedenyu village. 

Kegwayhun Tep, President, Naga Students Federation, gave a Presidential Address. Earlier, a bike rally was flagged off from NSF Oking. The programme was chaired by Benjong Longchar, Secretary, Social and Culture, NSF and Süpuni Ng Philo General Secretary gave the concluding remarks.  The Kohima Baptist Pastors' Fellowship prayed for Naga Nation and Arenchila Walling presented Healing of the spirit.

Messages were delivered by All Assam Naga Welfare Society, Arunachal Naga Students' Federation, Eastern Naga Students' Federation, Eastern Naga Students' Association, All Naga Students' Association Assam.