Kezha Angami
Kedahge, Federal Government of Nagaland
Dear Fellow Nagas,
I extend my greetings to all of you on this historic day of our nation today. On this day, 79 years ago, our people under the banner of the Naga National Council (NNC) formally declared the age-old Naga Independence in Kohima and immediately informed India by Telegram and cabled to HMG and UNO for information and record.
On this great day, we remember the conviction, sacrifices, determination and vision of our pioneering leaders and elders for freedom.
To build our nation and strengthen our peoplehood is a continuous, ongoing process. The seeming insurmountable challenges before us Nagas is part of our struggle. This state of affair in Nagaland will pass. Because no force on earth can destroy nor hide the truth. Truth will endure, prevail and triumph. This is the power of truth.
We say this with confidence because we acknowledge that the hands of God is guiding and leading us in the making of our history and our nation. Therefore, as we celebrate our Independence Day we also reaffirm the guiding principles of the Naga nation and the declaration of our courageous founding fathers, elders and leaders:
1. Nagas are a free people. We are a nation. We are a republic.
2. Nagas are not Indians - historically, culturally, ethnically, racially, linguistically, politically, socially, geographically and legally.
3. Nagas never consented to be part of the construct of the Indian Union at any point of time.
4. The legitimatization of our sovereignty and independence that was mandated by the Naga voluntary Plebiscite of May 16, 1951 is rooted in the foundation the village republic, instituted across different region in the Naga country since time immemorial. This Naga national character is undeniable, irrefutable and indisputable.
5. In God’s time, NNC founded in February 2 1946 became the Naga Institutional umbrella that provided the platform, authority and leadership for all the village- republics to come together as a nation and made the Naga Independence Declaration during the Presidentship of T. Aliba Imti on August 14, 1947.
6. Based on the Naga national character of our village-republic, our people under the leadership of the NNC proclaimed the Federal Government on the 22nd of March, 1956 through a federation at Parashen.
7. On March 22, 1956, the Naga National flag was officially hoisted by Thungti Chang and the Naga Yehzabo - the Constitution, was adopted and came into force. Thus, the Naga Republic was born.
8.The Federal Government merged the independent Free Nagaland and the so-called ‘administered Naga-Hills’ into a unified, single independent political entity, thereby in effect, for all intents and purposes known as Nagaland - Nagaland - a solidified nation, with a flag and the Yezhabo.
9. Our founding fathers at the core of our Yezhabo inscribed the principles of the republic - where the supreme and ultimate authority resides with the people, democratic federalism - where region hold power and representatives are chosen respecting our democratic and political processes.
10. Thus, the Naga Yehzabo- the Naga Constitution declares, “Each Village is a republic within its own territory having full authority over its own affairs including land, community, organization, social, culture, religion, customs and practices”.
11. The Indo-Naga bilateral Ceasefire between Government of India and FGN that came into effect on 6th September 1964 was facilitated by Peace Mission, Nagaland Baptist Church Council. The Ceasefire recognises that military aggression is not the answer to the Indo-Naga issue.
12.NNC and FGN belong to the Nagas. And the Naga public must actively ensure that NNC and FGN functionaries are accountable not only to the vision but their action towards that vision for the nation.
Today, we remember and accord our fullest honour, respect and recognition to our visionary pioneers and national workers who sacrificed their lives for freedom in our land, and those who continue to work for our national cause without compromising on the foundational principles of our nationhood.
Let us be very clear - the Indo-Naga issue is an act of occupation and aggression. Our demand is for India to simply respect our position and leave us alone. There is a Naga maxim – “Power, strength, and greatness are measured not by machete, but the strength and the bigness of the heart.” Nagaland and India can exist as neighbours as equals on the principles of mutual respect, common interests and concerns.
Our nation is built on the bloods, tears, sacrifices and prayers of many Nagas. May we never treat these living force lightly, nor become foolish and obscene to forget. History tells us, big talks and dreams from the comfort of our homes and accustomed living and comfort have never liberated a nation, nor brought changes. Tough decisions must be taken, sacrifices must be made, suffering must be endured - to become the living force to change, to serve, lead and build the Naga nation.
Let us be reminded, we cannot attain and fulfil the Covenant of our vision by becoming subservient to forces that does not align with our vision and values. Our faith teaches us, “No one can serve two masters”. No one can serve God and mammon. Mammon lies, steals, destroys and eventually kills. Let no Naga – big or small, young or old, become the cautionary Esau, who sold his birthright for a bowl of soup.
Let us remove the shackle of fear, cowardice and self-serving agendas. Let us work to build nation by actively engaging with our soil, land, villages and communities. Let us pledge to listen and seek common ground and work side by side to heal wounds of division. Let us take a stand that refuses to protect evil with our silence, compliance and indifference in the face of injustice, corruption and crony capitalism. Let us reaffirm our faith in the power of truth because only truth will set us free.
Kuknalim
