CONDOLENCES FROM PM, SONIA, ACHARYA, JAMIR, RAVI, ZELIANG & OTHERS
NSCN (I-M) chairman/Yaruiwo Isak Chishi Swu, who began his life’s journey in the quest for Naga freedom, died after a protracted ailment at Fortis Hospital, Delhi Tuesday at around 12.40 p.m. He was 87 and leaves behind his wife Khulu, five sons, one daughter and two grand daughters.
The chairman of the NSCN (I-M) and veteran Naga nationalist leader was also a signatory to the August 3, 2015 Naga Peace Accord which held the blueprint of a Framework Agreement to be finalized between the group and the government of India.
NSCN (I-M) sources said that the body would be brought to Dimapur on June 30 by a special chartered plane and taken straight to Hebron camp. On July 1, the NSCN (I-M) will accord a state funeral. On July 2, late Isak’s body will be taken to his native Chishilimi village. Final decision on the funeral and burial service was yet to be finalized. On June 29, a brief condolence service would be held at Delhi organized by the Naga Forum Delhi.
Meanwhile, people from all walks of life carried out a candle light vigil in memory of late Isak Swu both in Dimapur and Ukhrul on Tuesday night.
Late Isak Chishi Swu, son of late Kushe Chishi Swu from the Chishilimi village was born on November 11, 1929.
He did his early education at American Mission School at Chishilimi and later continued his studies at Government High School, Kohima and graduated with Political Science honours from St. Anthony’s College, Shillong
Late Isak joined the Naga movement in the late 1950’s and served as NNC Foreign Secretary (1959-66), chaplee kilonser (1966-76) and NNC vice president from 1976-1980.
Isak Chishi Swu, Th Muivah and S.S. Khaplang were instrumental in forming the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) on January 31, 1980 opposing the Shillong Accord signed by Naga National Council (NNC) with the Government of India.
However, following a disagreement within the group, they further split into two factions, one led by Khaplang (NSCN-K) and the other led by Isak Chishi Swu and Th. Muivah as (NSCN-IM).
PM Modi: Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi has condoled the death of NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Chishi Swu and said he would be remembered for his historical role in bringing out the Framework Agreement for Naga peace. “My heartfelt condolences to the family and supporters of Mr. Isak Chisi Swu on his demise. May his soul rest in peace,” said Modi. “Mr. Swu will be remembered for his historical role in bringing out the Framework Agreement for Naga peace,” he added. Modi said Swu had wished the best for the Naga people and aspired for peace.
Sonia Gandhi: All India Congress Committee (AICC) president Sonia Gandhi has extended her condolences on the passing away of Isak Chishi Swu. Congress President, Sonia Gandhi expressed hope that his legacy would evolve into that of lasting peace and reconciliation.
RN Ravi: Interlocutor for Naga talks, R.N. Ravi in a condolence message described Isak Chishi Swu as a “God fearing great leader who lived and worked for the best interest of the Naga people”. Stating that he was a man of peace, Ravi said his crucial contributions to bringing out the land mark Framework Agreement would be remembered for all time to come.
Ravi further said that all those working for peace in Naga areas would sorely miss him. “Let the gracious God give peace and rest to his soul and fortitude to his family to bear with this devastating loss”, Ravi stated.
P.B. Acharya: Nagaland Governor P.B. Acharya expressed “great shock” at the passing of Isak Chishi Swu, chairman and co-founder of NSCN (I-M) and said he was a person with a combination of all experiences who proved himself well practically. “It is indeed a great loss for all to have lost a dedicated, devoted and a committed leader. The Nagas have lost one of the most influential and courageous leader,” said Acharya in his condolence message to Mrs. Khulu Isak.
Stating that the late Naga leader spent all his life for the cause of Nagas, the governor said his contribution for the frame work agreement signed between government of India and NSCN (I-M) has been enormous. “His guidance and contributions will remain vital,” said Acharya. He also termed it as “unfortunate” that “he is not in our midst to participate on the final agreement between GOI and NSCN (IM) which is heading towards the final stage”, adding that the vacuum caused by his departure would be very hard to fill.
Governor and his wife Smt Kavita have conveyed their heartfelt condolences to his wife, children and the rest of his entire family. The governor prayed that “may God provide strength to all his family members” and “May his soul rest in eternal peace”.
S.C. Jamir: Odisha Governor S.C. Jamir has expressed shock at the passing away of veteran and recognised Naga political leader and chairman of NSCN (I-M), Issac Swu.
In his condolence message, Jamir said “Though basically religious minded, he had always firm belief in peace and non-violence. Prior to joining the Naga movement he was one of the champions to restore peace in the trouble-torn Nagaland in the late fifties. As a matter of fact, he and late Gohovi Sumi were sent as peace emissaries to the Naga Federal Government but they never returned back from there. Since then in different capacities and position, he played an important role in the Naga independent movement with full commitment and dedication.”
All through the perilous Naga political pilgrimage, Odisha Governor said he never deserted his political ideology and remained steadfast in his approach. Jamir said Nagaland today desperately seeks a congenial political environment burying all the differences among different sections of the Naga community and reinventing a dynamic and progressive Naga society rooted in the spirit of peace, harmony and feeling of oneness.
“Dedicating to this cause by drawing inspiration and motivation from his eventful life will be the best tribute to Issac Swu,” Jamir said, adding that “his death is indeed a great loss to the Nagas at this critical moment. After all, life is not in our hands.” “My wife joins me in condoling the demise of this noble soul and pray that his soul rest in peace,” stated Jamir.
T.R. Zeliang: Nagaland chief minister has expressed grief at the demise of NSCN (I-M) chairman, whom he described as “our Naga leader Uncle Isak Chishi Swu” at New Delhi Tuesday afternoon.
In his condolence message, the chief minister said “on the several occasions that I have had the privilege to interact with him I have always been impressed by his dedication to the cause of the Naga people – the cause for which he had forsaken the numerous opportunities of personal comfort he could have easily availed as one of the few Naga graduates in the 1950s.”
Describing late leader as “a thorough gentleman, soft spoken and God-fearing”, Zeliang said he always had a word of guidance for the younger Naga leaders that the fear of the Lord should be, and must be, the guiding spirit for any leader so as to lead the people in the right direction.
“If God is on our side, no problem is too big to be insurmountable, he had been quoted on several occasions,” chief minister said.
Zeliang opined that under Isak’s leadership, the organization was greatly enriched with Christian principles, and the followers too could imbibe themselves with piety that the leader exuded.
“As the fatherly figure that he was to many of us, it was always comforting to be in his presence and interactions with him were always enlightening and beneficial – his narrations of personal experiences never failed to captivate us and we could not help but be amazed at the sacrifices he had made for the cause of the Naga people, and the tears and sweat he went through for the cause which he held so dear to his heart,” the chief minister said.
Zeliang said Isak’s death at this crucial juncture when the Naga Political problem appeared to be on the verge of being solved once and for all, was all the more lamentable. “But since the Almighty has pre-determined period of time for all of us in this world, we have to be content with the divine plans. However, to ensure the memory, life and contributions of our legendary leader do not go in vain, we the living must endeavour to fulfil the precious dream he could not witness when alive: Let all sections of the Naga people come together, sink our differences and concertedly work to bring about an early solution to the Naga problem,” Zelaing said.
Further, Zeliang maintained “Let the living also learn from the testimony of uncle’s life: Though he had taken up armed struggle when the Naga movement was at its peak, he had realized the futility of violence to solve any political problem and he had opted for peaceful negotiations to find a solution.”
And to uphold his aspirations and in his memory, the chief minister called upon all to resolve to fulfil his cherished dream to bring a peaceful and negotiated settlement as early as possible so that “we Nagas can hold our heads high in the comity of peoples and Nations.” He also prayed that the departed soul find eternal solace.