Isak Chishi Swu hailed as ‘Naga Star’ on first death anniversary

Staff Reporter
Dimapur, June 28 (EMN): It was a matter of pride for the Nagas as hundreds congregated at council headquarter, Hebron to commemorate the first death anniversary of the former Yaruiwo of the Government of the People’s Republic of Nagaland (GPRN) and Chairman of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) late Isak Chishi Swu on Wednesday.
The event was held on the theme: “Whoever does the will of God lives forever”. Hailed as a ‘man of prayer and pride of the Nagas’ by many of the speakers on the day, the legacy left behind by late Isak Chishi Swu and the great work achieved for the people will continue to be endeavoured, resonated at the commemoration service.

Also on the occasion, the outfit’s political commissar Lt. Gen. Ningkhan Shimray refuted the claim of late SS Khaplang – as translated by Athong Makury President of Council of Naga Affairs, Myanmar that the late NSCN (K) chief had stood under the banner of ‘Nagaland for Christ’. Shimray maintained that it was the late NSCN/GPRN chairman Isak Chishi Swu who initiated and stood by the banner ‘Nagaland for Christ’.
“The vision of Swu and the cause impregnated by him for Nagas will live and our gathering here today is to know the sacrifice and prayer for the Naga nation”, asserted Shimray. Eastern Nagaland has seen the light of peace because of the supreme sacrifice of Swu, it was asserted.
However he pointed out that ‘Nagas have failed to honour, recognise and follow his vision practically’. We are ‘expressing only through words without any genuine feeling’, he said.
Collective Leadership member Gen. (Rtd) VS Atem acclaimed Swu as a person who gave his life for the Nagas, an unparalleled leader for the Naga nation with no person to replace him.
“We will always continue to follow his path tenaciously and leave no stone unturned in our fight for a peaceful nation”, concluded Atem.
Steering Committee member Lt. Col (Rtd) Kiqheto Awomi, reminiscing his early days with the late NSCN/GPRN chairman, remembered Swu as a man with a genuine vision for Nagas while hailing him as a ‘Naga Star’. Also Awomi conveyed optimism that the work sowed by the late Naga leader will not fade away but bear fruit.
Collective Leadership member Rev. Puni Mao in his address maintained that the excessive ‘ism’ in Naga society with dictatorial authority was one reason for Swu’s unceasing effort leading way for reconciliation and therefore he called for continuous strive in achieving reconciliation.
A documentary video clip of Late Isak Chishi Swu’s life was screened on the day and his last journey video was released by convenor of Steering Committee, Rh. Raising which will be available at the MIP Office Hebron from July 15 for free.