The Nagas were free nation from the time immemorial, but after 1872 some parts of the Naga homeland fell under British colonial rule and subsequently take control by the successive Government of India which necessitated the Nagas to decry the British colonialism and Indians forced control over the Nagas. As a kick off campaign against the forced rule, the great leaders A.Z.Phizo, Tolhopu Sumi and Luzukhu Sumi came to “Viyilho Village” under Aghunato Area in 1953 to launch on Independent Movement .It was perhaps the first ever mammoth gathering of the public who were overwhelmed by the speeches on “Naga Independent” that prompted the formation of “Naga Safe Guard” (NSG) in the following year 1954. The reason of those great leaders’ coming to Aghunato area was left to remain under “North East Frontier Agency” (NEFA) which was later on brought under “Naga Hills Tuensang Area” (NHTA) by a process of political transformation .The leaders felt that a nation that has paid taxes to the other Nation or Government is not a free nation and since time immemorial Aghunato Area and the Eastern Naga Tribes had not paid the taxes to any Government, they thought to let these people kick start the political movement for the Naga independent. In keeping with the above thought in mind, the great leaders A.Z.Phizo, Tolhopu Sumi and Luzukhu Sumi addressed the mammoth gatherings that unless we speak out our political rights and defend our independent, India will impose a levy on men, women, Dogs, Pigs and every movable and immovable properties, and above all, we will become the servant of Indians. It was also told that once the Indians occupied our land, they will not spare even our wives and daughters to serve their interest/purpose. As the crusaders’ speeches touched the sentiments of every members present, the public were excited to adopt the resolutions to start political movement for complete independence. The decision to defend the nation hood was basically on political rights, but also obviously to avoid taxations to the Indians or forced upon by any nation which is against the norms of the Naga traditions.
For the Nagas, taxations to other village or community is a sign of submission and cowardice who can not defend themselves from attack or impositions. It is for all these genuine reasons, independent movement begins by mobilizing the volunteers in the form of “Naga Safe Guard” (NSG) (now Naga Army) with its Head Quarter at “Khekiye Village”. Initially, when the movement started “Hoshepu Range” comprised the villages of Khewoto, Khekiye and Nihoshe men and women formed the majority of the volunteers and donated huge number of Arms and ammunitions. After the “Naga Safe Guard” (NSG) was installed, armed resistance movement began to thwart the activities of the Indian Army in the free Naga Homeland. However, for setting up the “Naga Safe Guard” (NSG) HQ. at Khekiye Village, the village was completely overrun by Indian Army on 10th Sept.1955, but the armed resistance movement continued from then on. In those days and until 70’s those national workers never sleep in the village neither their identity were known to the public for security reason. Now when we recall those memories as to how the pioneers started political movement voluntarily and compare with the present trend of taxations and conditions under which we are compelled to live now is quite contrary to the peoples aspirations to live as a free nation. No doubt, every individual Nagas are accountable to the national cause, and as a token of support to the struggles, loyalty taxes in the form of voluntary contributions are unavoidable or a must, but taxations beyond bearable in the name of national struggle is unbecoming in the history of Naga Political movement. People are aware that every government has its system on taxation policy, but the governments are also not ignorant of excesses in exercising the powers by their cadres which needs to be checked. Every time, different political parties are giving out press release advising people not to pay the taxes to unauthorized person(s) which is a laudable ,but people are made to confuse to authenticate the authorized person for the fact that ,every cadres who comes to the people claimed to be authorized officials. As equal human beings, no body can compel the other to be submissive, but the cadres who come to the public for taxations or demand comes in the name of a nation that shuts the mouth of the people for the reason that a nation is being respected and honoured by one and all. But if the growing trend continued for longer period of time, public may have the impact on the Naga political struggles. It is known to all that the Civil societies are trying hard to facilitate the unity of all the political parties to become one, but the problem lies with the national workers which can not be questioned by the facilitators. Now the talk of “Unity” has two schools of thoughts (1) Intellectual groups are talking about unity for political solution (2) where as the common peoples talking about unity is to lessen the burden of taxations, which is a sign of despair .Therefore, in my personal opinion the talk of “Unity” should not be the talk by mouth of speak but needs to be seriously addressed to be practical sooner than later. It is imperative for one and all to understand the global scenario and the growing powers of the adversaries of which we can not challenge had there been no human rights. The Nagas in general believed that the Nagas can not stand strong with divided house for one cause and one goal, and for which every individuals as well as civil set ups are longing for unity of all the political parties to become one. But it is beyond anybody’s capacity to force out any faction to leave their camp and join the other camp to become one, so the only available means for the public is to make “appeal” than nothing more or less. However, it is prayed that the Almighty God will unite together the hearts of all the leaders to overcome the differences and bring about a lasting solution to the protracted Naga political problem once for all.
(H.K. Zhimomi)
Social Activist
For the Nagas, taxations to other village or community is a sign of submission and cowardice who can not defend themselves from attack or impositions. It is for all these genuine reasons, independent movement begins by mobilizing the volunteers in the form of “Naga Safe Guard” (NSG) (now Naga Army) with its Head Quarter at “Khekiye Village”. Initially, when the movement started “Hoshepu Range” comprised the villages of Khewoto, Khekiye and Nihoshe men and women formed the majority of the volunteers and donated huge number of Arms and ammunitions. After the “Naga Safe Guard” (NSG) was installed, armed resistance movement began to thwart the activities of the Indian Army in the free Naga Homeland. However, for setting up the “Naga Safe Guard” (NSG) HQ. at Khekiye Village, the village was completely overrun by Indian Army on 10th Sept.1955, but the armed resistance movement continued from then on. In those days and until 70’s those national workers never sleep in the village neither their identity were known to the public for security reason. Now when we recall those memories as to how the pioneers started political movement voluntarily and compare with the present trend of taxations and conditions under which we are compelled to live now is quite contrary to the peoples aspirations to live as a free nation. No doubt, every individual Nagas are accountable to the national cause, and as a token of support to the struggles, loyalty taxes in the form of voluntary contributions are unavoidable or a must, but taxations beyond bearable in the name of national struggle is unbecoming in the history of Naga Political movement. People are aware that every government has its system on taxation policy, but the governments are also not ignorant of excesses in exercising the powers by their cadres which needs to be checked. Every time, different political parties are giving out press release advising people not to pay the taxes to unauthorized person(s) which is a laudable ,but people are made to confuse to authenticate the authorized person for the fact that ,every cadres who comes to the people claimed to be authorized officials. As equal human beings, no body can compel the other to be submissive, but the cadres who come to the public for taxations or demand comes in the name of a nation that shuts the mouth of the people for the reason that a nation is being respected and honoured by one and all. But if the growing trend continued for longer period of time, public may have the impact on the Naga political struggles. It is known to all that the Civil societies are trying hard to facilitate the unity of all the political parties to become one, but the problem lies with the national workers which can not be questioned by the facilitators. Now the talk of “Unity” has two schools of thoughts (1) Intellectual groups are talking about unity for political solution (2) where as the common peoples talking about unity is to lessen the burden of taxations, which is a sign of despair .Therefore, in my personal opinion the talk of “Unity” should not be the talk by mouth of speak but needs to be seriously addressed to be practical sooner than later. It is imperative for one and all to understand the global scenario and the growing powers of the adversaries of which we can not challenge had there been no human rights. The Nagas in general believed that the Nagas can not stand strong with divided house for one cause and one goal, and for which every individuals as well as civil set ups are longing for unity of all the political parties to become one. But it is beyond anybody’s capacity to force out any faction to leave their camp and join the other camp to become one, so the only available means for the public is to make “appeal” than nothing more or less. However, it is prayed that the Almighty God will unite together the hearts of all the leaders to overcome the differences and bring about a lasting solution to the protracted Naga political problem once for all.
(H.K. Zhimomi)
Social Activist
