Correspondent
KOHIMA, AUGUST 27
THE observation of the 65th Martyrs’ Day organized by Mao Council under the aegis of United Naga Council at Mao Gate on Tuesday has sent a clarion call to the Naga leaders, both underground and overground, to retrospect on the seriousness and responsibility towards the achievement of the common aspiration of the Nagas while also demanding that the India should stop all forms of atrocities on the Nagas.
UNC president L Adani, in his Martyrs’ Day message, recalled that on August 27, 1948, the combined force of Assam Rifles and Manipur Police killed three Nagas and grievously injured four volunteers, including students, who were blocking the road to stop the arrest of then Naga National Liberation president A Daiho and N Modoli for launching the No Tax Campaign against Manipur Maharaja (King).
He said though the movement was forcibly suppressed, the seeds sown during the campaign never died. The political aspirations of the Nagas in Manipur that found strong expression during that critical time grew with time, he said. Adani maintained that many have followed the valiant ways of the heroes of that day while citing the martyrdom of Loshou and Chakho on May 6, 2010 as the testimony.
“Today we are gathered to bear witness to the selfless sacrifice of those who laid down their lives and unsparingly suffered brutal violence on that awesome day for the inalienable rights of the Nagas to live together undivided by arbitrary boundaries,” he said while paying tributes to Naga patriots.
He said the movement for securing an alternative arrangement outside the Government of Manipur, launched on July 1, 2010 by Naga People’s Convention severing ties with Manipur government, has been registered in history with the democratic process of tripartite talks between the Centre, government of Manipur and the Nagas in Manipur.
The dialogue process will enter the 6th round on August 30, 2013 in New Delhi, he said, while also informing the Nagas of the need to be prepared for what could happen in the days to come, depending on the response of the Centre in taking forward the process and putting it to its logical end.
“All of us are on board the Nagas boat in the ocean of history,” he said while challenging Nagas to be firm as a people. “Everyone on board must move together in tandem, in unison, in the logical and defined direction of our political aspiration,” he said.
Naga Women Union Manipur president Aram Pamei said, “We are surrounded by divisive forces. Let us mend the errors of the past and shoulder the responsibility of building our Naga nation devoid of sectarianism, communalism and corruption. Let us wipe out the communal politics that has crept into our society.”She said ‘our leaders had done their job and duties, and now our turn is to make Naga future bright’.
Secretary General of Naga Peoples’ Movement for Human Rights Dr Gina Shangkham said, “There are artificial walls and boundaries in our land aiming to divide us but we do know that it will not last and we are definitely on our way to live as one people in one nation”.
“We understand that there are forces who will not want us to be united but we have time and again make them see reasons and that we mean no harm to them and we believe they will in good time realize the vanity of their actions and concerns of our neighbours,” he said.
All Naga Students’ Association of Manipur president Seth Shatsong said India claims to have achieved freedom through non-violence but it had resorted to killing the Nagas just after a year of its independence. He also appealed to all Naga leaders to join hands and provide the required genuine leadership in order to win the common vision of Naga people.
Representatives from all the Naga tribal councils in Manipur and Naga Hoho laid wreaths at the memorial of the patriots at Mao Gate. Hundreds of Nagas from all walks of life joined in offering silent prayers in respect and remembrance of the martyrs.
Patriotic songs were presented by students of Asufuu Christian Institute and Baptist Engligh High School, Shajouba.
The programme commenced with invocation by Executive Secretary of MBCA Rev. K. Koda, president Mao Council Lokho Romeo delivered the welcome address and general secretary UNC Gaidon Kamei tendered the words of gratitude while Rev. Loli Kapfii said the benediction.
