NSF hoists Naga flag at Parashen

Naga Students Federation (NSF) organised a Naga flag hoisting programme at Parashen, the place where the first hoisting took place on March 22, 1956.
Speaking at the programme, former editor, Platform (W) & Nagaland Newsreview and author of Phizo and the Naga Problem, Mhiesizokho Zinyü said it was a day of rejoicing, a day of celebration and a day to proclaim “our” right to freedom.
He said NSF completed 75 years of existence and so also the declaration of the Naga Independence on August 14 1947, which he said, was “our” history and that the people still stood firm on the unique history and “our” great heritage.
Zinyü said ever since its inception the NSF took active part in the non-cooperation movement launched by NNC in subsequent years with “unrelenting spirit of patriotism.”
He said the past 75 years had been years of struggle, thirst and hunger, tears and bloodshed, rape and suppression, dissension and factionalism and innumerable instances of untoward eventualities however, today, the Nagas and the government of India have realised that fighting cannot bring any solution.
He observed that what the people had gained till today was that the Government of India realised and recognised the Naga history as unique in the sense that Nagas had never signed any treaty of accession with any country as such Naga country had country or for that matter not even India.
In has never been a part of any foreign view of our unique history, the Naga issue is political and not a law and order problem, therefore the people should safeguard whatever they had gained so far, he said.
Zinyü pointed out that the Naga political issue was the second longest surviving political problem in Asia today having already waited for 75 years and that the people were now impatient.
However, he urged the people not to forget that India was under British domination for about 200 years before being freed.
He called on the people to not get discouraged when things do not happen easily but understand that God’s timing was never too late or never too early.
“We must and we will continue to defend and protect our God – given land, our people, our rights to freedom and our flag and may God help us to stand our ground today for our tomorrow” Zinyü said.
One of the surviving members of the first Naga flag hoisting ceremony, 102 year old Nnolo Lorin during a reminiscing of the event said he witnessed the event first hand when he was a youth in his mid thirties.
He said 66 years ago Zhapu Phizo along with few of his friends hoisted the flag of the Naga Federal Government on March 22, 1956 at Parashen, Rengma area.
In the solidarity message, All Nagaland Students Association Manipur, general secretary, AC Thotso saluted the past and present Naga leaders who stood firm for the cause of the people and the land .
“We dearly remember with deep sense of pride and respect to our martyrs, fallen fellow warriors who have given their all for the Nagas to live as a free people,” he said.
Thotso also thanked all the Naga national workers, CSOs, leaders and all the fellow compatriots who had been tirelessly working for the cause of the Nation.
“On this auspicious day, we must realize together that we are at verge of defining our own shared future and it is high time that we firmly reiterate our stand and strive for an inclusive, honorable and acceptable solution based on the unique history and situation of the Nagas; recognising integration, flag and constitution as the inalienable right of the Nagas,” Thotso asserted.
The youth are hopeful for a positive outcome: NSF
In the president’s address, Kegwayhun Tep said as people embark upon this landmark occasion, “we” must shoulder the sacred legacy and the solemn responsibilities which “our” visionary leaders had collectively struggled for and shouldered.
“Our humble presence on this solemn occasion this morning is itself an homage and prayer offered to all Nagas who have contributed selflessly towards the Naga Cause. It is our solidarity of sharing in the grief at the irreparable loss of countless sons & daughters, parents, friends and loved ones whose innocent lives were robbed in the Naga peoples’ search for peace and a dignified future,” Tep said.
He said the youth today were hopeful about a positive outcome, having placed their trust in the strong political will and able statement-ship of the Prime Minister of India, that lasting peace and justice would be brought in the Naga homeland through a settlement that was inclusive, honourable, acceptable and transparent..
He asserted that the people placed their confidence that the PM would hold on to the declaration made to the international communities that the South-East Asia’s longest running conflict would be brought to its logical conclusion and that this declaration would be translated into reality without further ado.
Earlier the programme was chaired by NSF platinum jubilee planning committee co-convenor, NSN Lotha while invocation was pronounced by Tenyimia Union Baptist Church, Tseminyu, pastor Krodilhou Vimera.
Solidarity message was shared by Eastern Naga Students Federation (ENSF) president Chingmak Chang and vote of thanks was proposed by Rengma Students Union president, Ajo Tsela.
A special number was presented by youths from Rengma Baptist Church Kohima while Parashen Cultural Troupe presented a folk dance.