Morung Express News
Kohima | May 31
The GPRN, Angami region today organized a seminar on ‘Retrospection on Naga Integration’ for Angami Region Leaders at Hotel Hut, Kohima.
Former President, Angami Public Organization (APO), Mhiesizokho Zinyü who was the resource person reaffirmed that the Nagas “maintained its separate identity and unique nationality,” while stating that the Naga people have never been conquered nor signed any treaty but lived undisturbed in village-states under self-rule, throughout the vast expanse of Naga Territory. “The village-states were strictly governed by traditional practices, customary laws, and religious belief,” he said.
Pointing out that survival of the people largely depended on land and natural resources, Zinyü said the concept ”Urra Uvie” (Our country, our Own) is deeply rooted in the ethos of Naga nationalism. “Urra Uvie implies both emotional integration as well as territorial integration,” Linyü said and added that this has been a driving force in the Naga national movement.
Referring to historic moments in the Naga movement such as the Naga independence declaration of 1947 and the Naga Plebiscite of 1951, he stated that: “Those were the days when the Angamis and neighbouring tribes took up the responsibility on their own shoulders to have travelled far and wide across Naga country to educate their Naga brothers and sisters across Naga Territory that all Nagas are one family and all Nagas when integrated are one big nation.”
Towards this, he stated, “Any Naga whether living in Nagaland or Assam or Manipur, or Arunachal Pradesh or Burma (now Myanmar) is a Naga by identity.”
However, he observed that there seem to be a wrong notion elsewhere that the Angamis today no longer stand by the sworn-in Naga stand on ”One People, One Nation.”
To this end, Linyü asked the gathering to remember their patriotic urge and “instead of weakening our stand and dimming our vision, we too should be treading in the footsteps of our fathers and forefathers more vigorously than ever so as to strengthen the unity and integrity of Naga nationhood.”
Rtd. Lt. Col. Victor Angami, Member Collective Leadership, GPRN while delivering a short speech said that Nagas were peaceful and non-violent for the first nine years of the movement;” while adding that the loss of lives accounts to about 3 lakh people in that time. He also pointed out that Indian leaders at the same time were upright and recognized the independence of the Naga nation.
The leader also remarked that AZ Phizo is a champion of Naga integration, having made commendable feats in reaching out to far-flung areas of Naga inhabitants by foot. These feats need a revival in our times, he added.
During the seminar, Dr. P Mor, Kilonser, Ministry of Education chaired the programme and welcome address was delivered by Helie Zumu, Central Administrative Officer, Angami Region.
