Mokokchung, October 18 : The 65th “martyrs’ day” of the ‘Federal Government of Nagaland’ (FGN) was observed in Settsu village, some fifteen kilometers away from Mokokchung town. A memorial honouring five persons from the village who were killed on June 16, 1956 by the Indian Army marked the event.
Delivering a tribute on behalf of ‘gen (retd.)’ V Metha, the president of the FGN, their vice president I Temjenba Lkr, addressed the event.
In the speech, I Temjenba Lkr thanked God for sustaining the Naga people despite the tragedies and pain they have had to experience during the past 62 years of conflict. He noted the people’s ‘solidarity and sympathy’ during the sufferings that the survivors of the massacre have had to endure in their lives. It is the living who must has to suffer the consequences of the absence of the deceased, he said.
“On this 65th anniversary of our national martyrs’ day, the nation wishes to pay tribute to all our people who have laid down their lives for the nation. We salute all of them with the same words of solidarity and appreciation”, he said.
The FGN leader also said that the Ao region had also played a pivotal role with the likes of Imkongmeren, vice president of NNC, who carried the ‘national responsibility faithfully to the end and who also kept the spirit of Naga nationalism and patriotism throughout his life.’
The Naga people cannot dream of a bright future without doing what must be done in the present, he said, ‘as we cannot afford to live in the past, however great and noble the past might have been.’ The older Naga generation, he added, despite their limited education have given their best and utmost so that today’s generation could ‘have a country that they can call their own.’ In the program, short speeches were also delivered by Kaka D Iralu, Kilonser, FGN and Lhouvitsü, Speaker, Tatar Hoho, FGN.
