Adinno Phizo, President of the Naga National Council is seen addressing the 63rd Naga Plebiscite Day at the Kohima Village Council Hall on May 16.
Chizokho Vero
Kohima | May 16
Naga National Council (NNC) President Adinno Phizo today asserted that the people of Nagaland must see to it that the institution of the NNC and its ways are kept in place at all times for prevalence of safety and harmony within the Naga territory and with its neighbours as well.
Addressing the 63rd Naga Plebiscite Day cum Dr. A.Z. Phizo’s Birthday here this morning at Kohima Village Council Hall, Adinno said, “We are gathered here today to commemorate the Plebiscite Day and honour the completion of the sixty second year of voluntary plebiscite of the Nagas to be an independent nation.”
We, she said, Nagas have come across untold sufferings and hardships initiated by our adversary, India, while steadfastly upholding the sacred pledge and mandate for the cause of our nation. However, with God on our side, we have prevailed till today.
“Our only demand to India is for withdrawal of her occupational forces from Nagaland; and to negotiate for a settlement towards coexisting as peaceful independent neighbour countries,” said Adinno.
The celebration of Plebiscite Day by the Nagas here and elsewhere, she iterated, is a representation of the continual commitment of “our resolve made on this day in 1951.”
On the occasion of the Plebiscite Day, she called upon the people to “remind ourselves” on the tenets of the NNC; “(i) That, the institution of the NNC is not a political party but the very foundation of the Naga nation. It is not for power struggle, thus the NNC will not indulge in politicking within the nation. (ii) The Regional Presidents along with the Central Executive Council Members will assists the President at the Centre in managing and safeguarding the rights and interests of the Naga Nation. (iii) In recognition of the beauty and uniqueness of every region, the Yehzabo (Constitution) of the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) guarantees regional autonomy to all regions in every sphere of life. (iv) Every region must learn to manage it own affairs within its jurisdiction and promote common good for the Nagas as a whole.
No region should overstep its precincts as an expanse to impose its will on the other.”
It is most unfortunate that we, Nagas, she said, have suffered unthinkable pain and affliction from the hands of our aggressor, India, since 1954.
“Many of our people, young and old, have laid down their lives defending the cause of our nation- they sacrificed their ‘today’ for a better tomorrow for us,” Adinno said adding that their selfless sacrifices will ever remain in our heart.
“The invasion of Nagaland baffles the world as to why a newly independent nation, India, should invade its small neighbour country, Nagaland. In these six decades of India’s occupation of our country, we have become too obvious with the sacrifices made by our countrymen, atrocious tortures endured, and the loss of our properties on a large scale. But, even in the face of all these miseries, the brave Nagas have never left their home and land to become refuges; we have instead re-established our lives, homes and villages over and again,” said the NNC President.
I salute and congratulate the indomitable Nagas always, she said, and further called upon the people to strive on trusting the Almighty God with the “national right on our side.”
Thus far, she said, our situation has need for a united front against our adversary at all cost and against all odds.
“Where there is no room for dissension and political discord amongst ourselves, it is imperative that we pull in all our strength together for the salvation of our nation,” Adinno added.
Earlier, Adinno stated that through most unexpected circumstances, the Almighty God has brought her to Nagaland enabling her to meet the people and address them on this important national day (Plebiscite Day).
“I thank Him and His faithfulness in spite of the loss of my beloved brother, Kevilevor Phizo,” Adinno said and further thanked the people for sharing the grief “with us and for every help in bringing home the mortal remains of Kevilevor, and myself.”
FGN President Gen. (Retd) Viyalie Metha and FGN Tatar Hoho Speaker Lhouvitsu also spoke on the occasion. The programme was chaired by P. Pashen, Vice President NNC and concluded with a mass prayer.
