KOHIMA, AUGUST 14 : The Naga National Council (NNC) and the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) celebrated the 70th Naga Independence Day today at Transit Peace Camp, Kohima.
Addressing the nation after unfurling the national flag, Gen (Retd) Viyalie Metha, Kedahge, FGN, thanked the Almighty God for bringing the Nagas thus far. With the solemn occasion being a Sunday, the FGN President welcomed the 70th Independence Day celebration as a day of dedication and prayer to God.
On the day, Metha paid respect and honour to the past leaders who pioneered to bring the Nagas as one family, while he paid rich tributes and saluted those patriots who sacrificed their lives in defence of the country.
On behalf of the Federal Government of Nagaland, the president also extended gratitude to all national workers of the NNC and the FGN for their dedication and sacrifices up to this day, and to the Naga people in general for steadfastly upholding the Naga national right.
The FGN President, while stating that the Nagas have been endlessly suffering in the hands of the Indian occupational armed forces for seventy years, called upon the Naga brethrens to come together and move forward for a brighter future as one family.
“Though we live in the midst of turmoil caused in our land by aggressor India, we have overcome all hurdles and could uphold our national right. People who lack integrity were bribed to go against the government to weaken it,” Metha said.
Standing firm on ‘one government for a nation’, Metha asserted that perpetrators and propagators of such multiple governments in the land are fooling themselves by trying to fool others.
“Over the past few years, our land has been plagued by the so-called extortionist governments of the factional groups who made peace agreement with India, however, peace is not found amongst themselves and with the people,” Metha said maintaining that the FGN is aware and concerned for its people and deals accordingly with diligence.
The FGN President also slammed the Government of India for its recent policy of ‘notoriety’ in forcing the innocent Naga public to obtain Indian citizenship card called ‘Adhar Card’, without which our people are denied to avail facilities even on payment for their daily utilities such as coking gas, telephone and banking services, etc, whereas it is voluntary for genuine Indians. “Unfortunately, this cannot make a Naga an Indian or a Mongolian and Aryan,” he stated.
Delivering the presidential address, Adinno Phizo called upon every Naga to keep the Naga country safe from evil so that we return to normality. “Throughout the ages, the Nagas protected our country and we still continue to do so,” Adinno said adding that “the Naga people are always with the course of time in asserting our rights without fear.”
“The Nagas sought peace and harmony between Nagaland and India, but India responded with war and brought divide and rule in Nagaland, and continued till today,” the NNC President said adding that “a small nation surrounded by armed forces of a giant nation is unthinkable.”
On the day, the NNC President, in her address, yearned for a day where all the Naga tribes will come under one roof. “In the past, Nagaland was self sufficient country and beggar was unknown. People were happy and honest,” she stated maintaining that tribalism unlike the present day, was started by the educated people who fight for jobs/salary with false pride.
The programme, chaired by Lhouvitsü, Speaker, Tatar Hoho, FGN, commenced with blessings invoked by Brig Vephi Dozo, Head Chaplain, Naga Army. A song was presented by the youths of Transit Peace Camp, while Thilü Khamo, chaplain-cum-secretary, FGN, pronounced the benediction.
