Tribute to Naga Martyrs by Gen. (Retd.) Viyalie Metha, Kedahge, Federal Government of Nagaland

My dear Countrymen,

I am grateful to the Almighty God once again for allowing us to observe this 73^rd Martyrs Day of our Nation here at Khonoma village peacefully. It is my great privilege and honour to stand before you and pay our respect together to all those who have sacrificed their precious lives in defence of our Nation. On such occasion like this that reminds us of the value of both sacrificial life and sacrificial death. I on behalf of the Federal Government of Nagaland salute them and pay my profound tribute to all those soldiers and civilians who laid down their precious lives for the cause of our Nation.   

It was the day, the 18^th of October, 1952, Eno Zasibito Nagi of Jotsoma Village of Angami Region was murdered in cold blood in the street of Kohima by the Armed Forces of India. Thus he became the first Naga Martyr in the hands of the aggressor, India. Hence this day has been marked as the Martyrs Day of the Naga Nation and has been observing it till today. Thereafter, many Nagas have been martyred like him. Brave soldiers have died in the battlefields, while many others were shot, captured and killed. Besides many soldiers, civilians of men, women and children were mercilessly tortured, raped and murdered by the occupational Armed Forces of India. Those who survived are living with scars and trauma of an unjust war, a war of aggression, perpetrated by India upon Nagaland. We assured that their sweats, blood and tears they have shed for the Nation will never go in vain but it will be engraved in our hearts and enshrine in the annals of the Naga Nation.  

Now, to the younger generation who have not experienced the worst situation in the past, I fervently urge you to deeply ponder the pain and horrific time that the past national leaders and civilians have gone through under the wicked occupational Armed Forces of India. Live the exemplary lives as our heroes and martyrs have shown. By this, I do not necessarily mean we must all die to save our Nation. But to fervently pray for God’s guidance and protection, live with prudence and take necessary steps by knowing the situation in our land with the principle of the Nation.  

The strategies of India have changed. Today, the aggressor is playing with money power, cultural assimilation and propaganda, economic packages in the guise of development in collaboration with the pseudo nationalists and renegades.

In conclusion, I appeal our people to desist from all kinds of malice and egoism. Cease intimidating and harming our own people in the name of the so-called nationalism, as it causes frustration and hindrance of life in our own families and society. Instead, let us all truly repent to God and seek His guidance and unite each other in the name of our gracious God. We must stand united and seek the old path where there is our future. So that no one can stop us. May what is good be ours.   

Long live Nagaland.

KUKNALIM.