The British first came in contact with the Nagas is the Zeme, a simple and peaceful community inhabiting the North Cachar Hills of Assam in 1832. They first set up their administrative headquarters at Asalu for the entire Naga country. Later on the headquarters was shifted to Samaguting, present Chumukedima and finally to Kohima for convenience and better administration purpose.
Beginning from the Zeliangrong kingdom the British slowly started to invade and occupy the Naga territory. By 1860's the whole Angami territory was conquered and an administrative centre was established at Kohima in 1878, followed by Kyong territory in 1870's, and sub-centre was established at Wokha. The British occupied Naga territory was declared as "Naga Hills" District in March 27, 1881 with Kohima as the administrative headquarters. The British colonial further expanded their occupation to Sumi territory in 1887 and Ao territory in 1889 where Mokokchung was established as another sub-centre in which a house tax of rupees two was collected annually. The British administration functioned through their political officers and in the meantime the village chief and elders were assigned to look after the welfare of the village and community. With the advent of British and Christianity, Nagas found their world greatly changed, inter-village feuds came to an end and headhunting became a thing of the past, which resulted to a new dimension of life in the Naga society. The conquest, invasion and rule of the British transformed the political administrative system of the Nagas. For the first time, Nagas had graduates in different fields and served as bureaucrats and in other related offices under the British. The .educated Naga became prominent figure in the society and became very influential, especially creating an awareness of the importance of education, which in turn lead the Nagas to new horizon.
The Government of India Act 1919 declared the 'Naga Hills District' as a 'Backward Tract' and the occupied Naga territory was treated as a separate entity from the British Indian Colonial. When the Simon Commission visited Kohima on January 10th 1929, the Nagas submitted a memorandum, stating that the Nagas should be left alone to determine their own political affairs as in ancient days when the British leave India.
Therefore, the Government of India Act 1929 which passed on the recommendation of the Simon Commission, the "Naga Hills District" was declared as "Excluded Area" on March 3, 1936, thus the Nagas were not brought within the Indian Government Policy. When the British were planning to leave India, they proposed Nagaland to be converted as the British crown Colony but the Nagas turn down the proposal on the ground that they wanted to be a free nation. The Nagas declared Independence on August 14th, 1947, one day ahead of Indian Independence Day. After Indian Independence the jurisdiction of Naga Hills was transferred to the Government of India and Nagaland became one of the states of India. The present state of Nagaland is the continuation of the Naga Hills District of Assam created by the British Government of India for their administrative convenience. Thus, Naga Hills district became the 16th States of India, whereas, on the other hand, the majority of Nagas were divided to different states of India and Myanmar.
The historical fact tells us of how the colonial British India government have demarcated and carved the Naga areas into different states and countries under the "Divide and Rule" policy on account of political administration convenience against the will of Nagas. Nagas who were free and independent from time immemorial were compelled to live under the dominance of the Indian and Myanmarese government. Therefore, the patriotic Nagas started to form Naga National Movement for independent Nagaland of all Naga inhabited areas.
Whereas, looking at the present scenario of North Cachar Hills of Assam, every sensible Nagas irrespective of organizations and its affiliation need to ponder and act at the earliest possible lest it become a national tragedy for the Nagas. While appreciating the Government of Nagaland, and like minded NGOs and Churches for reaching out and helping the homeless, innocent Zeliangrong Nagas who are taking shelter in Peren district of Nagaland and Tamenglong district of Manipur, I would like to draw the attention of the Government, Human Rights Activists and the Nagas in particular through the following points:
1. It is very sad and discouraging from the part of the government to work hand in glove with a particular group of people in order to eliminate innocent public. The insincerity of the government is vividly portrayed in tackling the ongoing violence and situations, by way of supplying sophisticated weapons, money, and man power (including police force and army) and adding fuel to escalate the violence.
2. Human Rights activists need to play a vital role at this juncture where the government miserably fails to do justice and protect the innocent citizens. NPMHR or for that matter even UN need to send fact finding teams and intervene against the total violation of Human Rights.
3. Where as the Nagas and Naga national worker in particular need to wake up from their deep slumber, if we truly and really love our people and our land. All the patriotic Nagas need to open our eyes, and act at the earliest, rather than shedding crocodile tears when our brethren are dying.
Talks at the highest level or prime minister level for sovereignty or integration of the Naga inhabited areas will be meaningless if we fail to defend and protect our land.
Rangro Herie
Peren Town
