Brig (Retd) S Singnya
Kedahge, Federal Government of Nagaland
My dear Countrymen,
It is indeed a great honour to address you on this historic 75th Naga Independence Day, today the 14th of August, 2021. I warmly greet you on behalf of all the ranks and file of the NNC/FGN. It was on this very day in 1947, 75 years ago that our pioneers and visionary leaders proclaimed the aspirations of the Naga people and took the giant step to declare our freedom and independence to the world. We are grateful to our Almighty God for the guidance, protection and sustenance throughout our long struggle for an honourable existence and a rightful place as a Nation among the Nations of the world.
Today, the Nation celebrates with pride and honour those martyrs who have made the supreme sacrifice for the noble cause and the patriots who selflessly chose to bear the hardships and sufferings in the pursuit of the long cherished dream. I join the nation in paying my homage to all the martyrs and all the patriots who are no more with us today.
We are all aware that Naga Nationalism in essence is a movement for the restoration of our political and historical rights. The political history of the Nagas first started with the resistance of the British colonizers and later with the Indian imperialism. Ever since its formation, the Federal Government of Nagaland has always stood firm and resolute on the “historical and political rights of the Nagas.” The Naga people for many decades has been fighting for a free homeland and resisting the oppressive occupational forces of India and Myanmar on our land ever since the British colonial empire left the Indian sub-continent.
Nagas have always been fierce lovers of freedom and equality. Our aspiration has always been for self determination. We do not covet what is not ours or what belong to others but we would keep what is rightfully ours at all cost. In its memorandum submitted to the British Simon Commission on 10th January, 1929, the Naga Club, the first Naga organization stated its request “…to leave us alone to determine ourselves as in ancient times” in the event of British withdrawal from India. When the status of the Crown colony was offered to the Nagas, the Nagas expressed the desire to remain free. But since the British Government remained silent on the Nagas’ right to self-determination at the time of its departure from the Indian sub-continent, the Naga National Council (NNC) after getting the necessary assurances from the top Indian leaders of the time, declared Naga Independence on 14th August 1947. To augment this declaration, the NNC conducted the Plebiscite on 16th May, 1951 wherein 99.9% voted for Sovereignty.
When it was made clear to India that the Nagas would not join the Indian Union, India started sending thousands of troops to occupy the Naga territories. The massive deployment of Indian armed forces to hunt down the nationalists unleashed intolerable sufferings on the Naga people. When the Indian soldiers invaded Nagaland, they intruded our homes, persecuted and tortured our people without any valid reasons, our women were abused and molested, carried out willful destruction of our goods and properties, killed and injured many of our people. It was because of these reasons that the Nagas were compelled to rise up with arms against the Indians.
The Indian Government introduced several oppressive laws and acts like the Disturbed Areas Act, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, Prevention of Unlawful Activities Act, etc. These Draconian Laws continue to be imposed and enforced in our land by the Government of India, the so called biggest democracy in the world. The Nagas also concluded several agreements with the GoI like the Hydari Agreement of 1947 or the 9 Point Agreement, the 16th Point Agreement, the Ceasefire of 1964, etc. but unfortunately India has not honoured her commitments and successive Indian leaders failed to uphold the promises made to the Nagas by their most venerated leaders like Gandhi and Rajagopalachari.
However, Nagas have always sought to live in harmony and peaceful co-existence with our neighbours. We are aware that conflicts do not serve any purpose; it’s not beneficial either for India or the Nagas. Thus to end the history of our conflict, the NNC/FGN after many rounds of deliberation, consultation and much thought, decided and as an entity of the NNPGs has participated in the political dialogues with GoI since 2017, in order arrive at a political solution which is honourable and mutually acceptable. We took the decision to take part in the political negotiations because we believed that violence should end and that we should pave the way for peace to prevail in our beautiful homeland which though not of our making or design, has experienced so much violence and bloodshed.
The political negotiations between the Government of India and the Working Committee of the NNPGs have concluded and now the onus lies with the GoI to set the date and time for the implementation. The
NNC/FGN hopes that GoI is sincere in its desire and commitment to resolve the more than seven decades old political conflict and that India has become a self-respecting and honourable country, prepared to be honest with her commitments. The solution of the Naga issue may be a challenge to the wisdom and statesmanship of the Indian leaders. On our part, we as an entity of the NNPGs, we have stood by our commitment given to the Nagas in the hope that it will usher in a new era of lasting peace and tranquility, long desired for our people.
As we celebrate the 75th Naga Independence Day, we also celebrate with pride and fondly remember the contributions and sacrifices of the patriots who selflessly gave their lives for the Nation. I warmly congratulate all the recipients of the awards and special commendations for their dedication and commitment.
God bless us all. KUKNALIM
Speech on the occasion of 75th Naga Independence Day (August 14, 2021)
