Naga national groups including NSCN (I-M), ‘GPRN/NSCN’ and the FGN Thursday celebrated the 62nd Naga Independence Day at their respective camps.
NSCN (I-M)
NSCN (I-M) celebrated the 62nd Naga Independence day at CHQ Hebron marked by paying homage to national martyrs, declaring awards, promotions and cultural display by various groups. Speaker Kilo Kilonser i/c, Tongmeth Wangnao graced the occasion as the chief guest.
NSCN (I-M) Yaruiwo, Isak Chishi Swu’s message which was read out in absentia by chief principal secretary, Samson Jajo reminisced the declaration of independence by the Naga people in August 14, 1947 to re-unite with their brothers outside the British occupation. The message declared that India and Myanmar had no legal and political right to claim any parts of Nagalim.
Paying tributes to the martyrs for their “supreme” sacrifices, the Yaruiwo’s message also acknowledged their selfless sacrifices.
The message stated that it was the bounden duty of the Nagas to defend their land and asserted “we will never part with the land God had given us to glorify His name”. The Yaruiwo’s message also conceded with the fact that the NSCN’s dialogue with the government of India for more than eleven years now had become a long process. It however, maintained that the process was still going on towards peaceful and honourable solution.
The Yariuwo, on behalf of the People’s Republic of Nagalim appealed to the people of Nagalim to rise up and stand together on the side of God and Nagalim.
Attended by around 2000 people, Speaker, Kilo Kilonser incharge, Tongmeth Wangnao, who earlier hoisted the national flag, reminded of the historical fact of “our” forefathers who lived an independent life but whose peaceful atmosphere were eroded by occupational forces and Naga’s independency suppressed. He said that the Naga people shall never give up the struggle till the rightful existence was restored. “On the question of misunderstanding and fratricidal among the Naga brothers, we are left with no option other than to let the offenders retrospect the crimes committed by them and come forward responding the call of Naga people for genuine reconciliation, a reconciliation with purpose”, he said. Wangnao saluted the national martyrs whose sacrifices, he said had saved the nation thus far. He said the martyrs shall be remembered and recorded in the history of the Nagas.
Other highlights of the programme included homage to national martyrs by Keya secretary R. S. Alum, cultural display by the Chishilimi village, Toulazuma Tenyimia village, Rengma, Anal, Poumai and Kamdi Bazar.
Representatives from Naga Hoho, Naga Council Dimapur, public etc attending the celebration.
‘GPRN/NSCN’
‘GPRN/NSCN’ celebrated the 62nd Naga Independence Day at Khehoi camp, Dimapur, with deputy kilonser Shikato Chishi Swu taking the Naga Army salute and unfurling the Naga national flag.
According to a press release issued by Publicity Cell ‘NSCN/GPRN’, Shikato also read out the speech of ‘GPRN/NSCN’ chairman SS Khaplang during the function, which was attended by over 600 civil and military workers.
Speaker of the Tatar Hoho, Hevukhu Yeptho exhorted the gathering that unification of Nagas was a reality and despite many hurdles, God had paved a way for the Naga people to unite.
Camp commander Lt Colonel Aheto who also spoke on the occasion, said that though the “anti-unification forces” harped on peace process with Government of India and international connections, Nagas have come to realize that unification of Nagas was far more important than having a dozen international connections or offices or fruitless peace parleys.
“This is simply to confuse the Nagas. Unity of Nagas and a common struggle precedes all international supports,” Aheto said and added a clean united Naga kitchen rekindled by patriotic torch was better than having murderous flame engulfing Nagaland in an uncontrolled fashion.
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