Nagas lived as Nagas even before the British occupation of India. Nagas are different from India by its distinct ethnic culture and origin. Therefore, Nagas are never Indian. The British parliament recognised the Nagas as a different cultural identity and put the Naga hills ‘Excluded Area ‘ from Indian union. Nagas did not participate in Indian independent movement as they lived a separate independent entity. Till 1960’s Naga Hills area was put under the external affairs in its governance.
Nagas are bonded by blood and connected by its unique cultural identity. Human rebellious nature , selfishness, differences, and problems that exist within can not separate Nagas.
By religion Nagas are not Hindus or Muslims nor follower of any other religious group etc. They worship nature and from it they accepted Christianity not by force nor by inducement or any other means but by conviction. Accepting Christianity have totally change Naga’s lives better and God has abundantly blessed the Nagas. No other religion is found so powerful that worked miracles and healings. Christianity change ones lives from worse to a better life. Christianity advocate forgiveness. So Nagas being Christians should forgive others in and forget the past wrong doings, bitterness and rancours.
We are all human and made mistakes. So let us live as brothers and sisters. Let us treat each other as one family because we are Nagas by blood. Let Nagas from East or West feel that we are one. Let us not discriminate or criticise each other but let us all be united and joint hands to fight our rights to live as Nagas.
Let us look back the history of Nagas and remember how Nagas have struggled together to defend the inherited God given land. Hundreds of precious Naga souls have lost from every corner of Naga territory in the hands of our adversaries.
The Naga territory which was kept in Excluded Area from Indian Union was forcefully occupied and suppressed after the colonial handover by British India. Nagas have never accepted to live under Indian union nor have surrendered. Therefore, the Naga negotiation for political settlement continues till today.
On the other hand, let us also see how the Naga political history began .During the British India regime a memorandum was submitted to Simon commission in 1929 by Naga club to allow Nagas alone to determine their own future . The Government of India Act 1935 thus separated Naga Hills from mainstream Indian governance and put in as Excluded Area. Again, in 1947 the 9 point Agreement was drawn between the Govt. of India represented by Akbar Hydari the then Governor of Assam and the NNC.
The agreement stated that after 10 years Nagas shall be left free to decide their own future. But the Govt. of India did not honour the agreement and betrayed Nagas.
In 1946 Naga delegation led by A.Z Phizo met Nehru for Naga sovereignty but was turn down. Nehru instead, sent the Indian forces to torture Nagas mercilessly and forcefully occupied the Naga inherent God given land. Later negotiations were carried out with Mrs. Indira Gandhi , the then Prime Minister of India but fail.Following it, several Agreements / Accords were signed with the Govt. of India viz. the 16 point Agreement,1960, and Shillong Accord, 1975 etc. but none could be able to materialised.
The Shillong Accord has splitted NNC and their military power was declined. The then top leaders of NNC Th. Muivah , Isaac Swu and Khaplang refused to accept Shillong Accord and splitted out from NNC and formed National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN). The NSCN again splitted into NSCN ( IM) and NSCN(K) due to the plot played by adversaries of Nagas. The NSCN (IM) soon became very powerful militarily and politically among the Northeast Asian insurgencies. Their intelligent network and supremacy in military power was spread far beyond. The Indian Govt. by then recognised the Naga problem is a political issue and began to initiate the talk with the NSCN( IM).
Thus the legacy of Naga political movement was carried on by NSCN (IM). The negotiation for Naga political solution between the Govt. of India and the NSCN ( IM) which represented the Nagas ( not by any other group/faction or organisation ) began in 1977. The talk between them was unconditional and outside of Indian constitution.
Now Nagas should understand that the Naga National movement was a joint venture for all Nagas and participated together by Nagas of Nagaland/Manipur/Arunachal / Assam and Myanmar. We fought and suffered together. It is well known that there are Naga leaders from outside of the present Nagaland who fought and suffered inhuman tortured and bullet wounds sacrificing all their lives during the worse times of struggle for Naga sovereignty. But it appears today’s Naga leaders ignored the sufferings of how our past Naga freedom fighters suffered and sacrificed their lives some of whom few are alive today.
Remember Nagas, we are living in peace and a comfort life today because of those who laid down their lives for Nagas cause and of few who are a live and continuing to fight for Naga cause. So we are to pay respect to them and recognised their selfless sacrificial service for Nagas. Their indomitable spirit and selfless sacrifices has made the Naga political movement carried on to this day. Nagas will live as one and united . Long live Nagas. God bless Nagalim.
Dr. Wanthang Rengma, PhD.
Former Director (G&M).
Govt. of Nagaland
Sunday, June 28, 2026