Veteran leader Mr. Bendangangshi Ex-MLA a senior Naga citizen has published a write up in one of the local paper under the heading “A perspective on the signatories of the Shillong Accord”. As a former Naga Army at that point of time I have come across the situation practically and testified that the situation described by him were all facts. I would also like to add more facts to what he has already mentioned in his write up as follows:
1. To crush the Naga National movement the state government then proclaimed Assam Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) while Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was already in force throughout the state.
2. Apart from these two draconian laws enforced on all Nagas, state government established Assam Rifles and NAP camps in almost all the Naga villages then.
3. Civil Administration was completely paralyzed resulting in the widespread violation of Nagas’ civil rights.
4. Press and media were either banned or completely censored in favour of the government. Views projected by the government at that time were also either false or bias.
5. Villagers were forced by the security forces to apprehend the National workers from their respective villages and to handover to them. Therefore, we were afraid of our own people or villagers. So, we tried our best to hide ourselves from the public. At that time any kind of help from the public was a far cry. That is how we were forced to surrender before Shillong Accord was signed.
Aftermath follows. Due to sudden arrest of Late. Imkongmeren Vice president of NNC by 2nd NAP in February 1975, his subordinates were demoralized like adding salt to a fresh wound, many more top ranking leaders were arrested all over Nagaland leaving no alternative for the remaining leaders but to concede to the demand of the government to sign Shillong Accord with all pulsating hearts.
Therefore, now it is high time to accept the fact and prepare to reconcile in the spirit of true comradeship towards finding permanent solution to the vexed Naga issue. I sincerely urge upon all the leaders and their followers of various groups to take the opportunity of opened door kept by FNR for Naga reconciliation. It is an opportunity to be grabbed now to be appreciated by our own future generation when the situation will be in quite contrast to what it is today
1. To crush the Naga National movement the state government then proclaimed Assam Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) while Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) was already in force throughout the state.
2. Apart from these two draconian laws enforced on all Nagas, state government established Assam Rifles and NAP camps in almost all the Naga villages then.
3. Civil Administration was completely paralyzed resulting in the widespread violation of Nagas’ civil rights.
4. Press and media were either banned or completely censored in favour of the government. Views projected by the government at that time were also either false or bias.
5. Villagers were forced by the security forces to apprehend the National workers from their respective villages and to handover to them. Therefore, we were afraid of our own people or villagers. So, we tried our best to hide ourselves from the public. At that time any kind of help from the public was a far cry. That is how we were forced to surrender before Shillong Accord was signed.
Aftermath follows. Due to sudden arrest of Late. Imkongmeren Vice president of NNC by 2nd NAP in February 1975, his subordinates were demoralized like adding salt to a fresh wound, many more top ranking leaders were arrested all over Nagaland leaving no alternative for the remaining leaders but to concede to the demand of the government to sign Shillong Accord with all pulsating hearts.
Therefore, now it is high time to accept the fact and prepare to reconcile in the spirit of true comradeship towards finding permanent solution to the vexed Naga issue. I sincerely urge upon all the leaders and their followers of various groups to take the opportunity of opened door kept by FNR for Naga reconciliation. It is an opportunity to be grabbed now to be appreciated by our own future generation when the situation will be in quite contrast to what it is today
Lanukaba, Former Naga Army
