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Dimapur, Nov. 27 (EMN): “The Lost Mission”, a book on the records of veteran Naga soldiers and about the things they experienced in their mission undertaken during the year 1967-69, was released on Friday by advisor for School Education, KT Sukhalu at the Orchid Conference Hall, Hotel Saramati, Dimapur.
The book is written by Pekingto Y Jimo and published by Maurice Wylie Media, Northern Ireland, UK.
Speaking at the book launch event, Sukhalu said that yesteryear leaders, who were convinced that Nagas should be free, ‘truly sacrificed for the Nagas and we must salute them for their sacrifices’. He also expressed hope that the present leaders of various organisations negotiating with the government of India too ‘have that spirit’.
“I may have misunderstood but the commitment of the former 50s and 60s workers and the commitment of our today’s workers, there is a huge difference,” he stated, adding that the book will be a lesson for many because it is more of a documentation of the entire journey on foot and how they suffered. He asked if today’s generation can make such sacrifices for the future generation of the Nagas.
Sukhalu stated that Naga history is literally oral and ‘there are many young scholars and researchers trying to do research on our past and there are also many authors who write books about the Naga nationalism movement but with their own research paper only’. He lauded commended Jimo for going deeply into the journey of people who were directly involved.
‘We still have peace talks going on for the settlement of Naga issue. There are many people who have heard about the history of Naga movement in papers or through social media, but those may be distorted or may not be correct,’ he said.
The advisor for School Education suggested that the tribal Hohos, NNPG and others look into the book as it has been mentioned by people who are directly involved. “It will hurt some because when truth is told, it is bitter to swallow but if we can swallow the bitterness and overcome, nothing is better than that,” he stated.
Jimo stated that the book is an attempt to speak for those who could not speak about themselves. It is not intended to bring hatred, contempt, insult the government of India or any of the Naga political groups, he added.
The author shared that the book is all about a mission undertaken by 312 brave Naga soldiers during the year 1967-69, and how they gave their youths and blood not for personal gain but for ‘us to live in liberty’.
“I have written the book not for fame or fortune nor to proof myself as a writer but to tell the Nagas and the world, their stories of love, sacrifice and betrayal,” he said.