Speech of Yilow Humtsoe, the President of Naga National Council (Parent Body) on the observation of 71st Naga National Martyrs’ Day of 18th October 2023 at Oking

Dear Naga People,

On this day, as we observe our 71st Naga National Martyrs’ Day, I salute and pay tribute to all those brave souls who fought and sacrificed their lives for the Sovereignty of the Naga Homeland, they were the defenders and protectors of our Naga Legitimate rights to freedom of Sovereignty as a people and nation. May God Almighty bless the souls of our Martyrs as we remember and pray for them on this day.

On behalf of the NNC (Parent Body) I wish to convey to their families and loved ones that our thoughts and prayers are with them, and would like to reiterate that their sacrificial deeds will never go in vain, as the destiny which the Nagas have embarked upon to achieve our historical and political rights continues.

 As we observe this day I would like to highlight the recorded history of the first Naga Martyr :- “On October 18, 1952, Mr Zasibito of Zotshuma Village was shot dead in the main road at Kohima by a Sub-Inspector of Indian police. Zasibito was a judge of the Kohima Central Court and was the first Naga to be shot dead by blood thirsty Indian Government officials. There had been a peaceful public demonstration that fateful morning by the Nagas to protest against the reported torture of a Naga minor boy by the police at Dimapur. Zasibito was not even a demonstrator. He was coming to attend the Court from his village four miles away. This incident had touched off the slowly deteriorating relations between the Nagas and Indians to flames. ” On October 24, 1952, Prime Minister Nehru referred to this unfortunate incident while addressing a Naga gathering at Mao and expressed his sorrow. He promised a high powered judicial body to inquire into the whole incident. A memorandum was also submitted to him to leave the Nagas alone in peace. Later, in their report to the Indian Government, the ‘Jarman Committee’ which inquired into the incident doubted the veracity of the Naga witnesses and completely exonerated the Indian sub-inspector of police.” This is a history as and how the first Martyr was murdered and declared as Naga National Martyrs Day as our Naga official recording of the incident as a reminder of the history made known to the Naga people today once again.

The Nagas are free and independent people, and our Homeland is sovereign and stand for Christ the only living and true God. Today, I appeal to all the Nagas to remember these rights and stand united to achieve our sovereign and independent homeland for Christ alone.

The Naga Homeland has been illegally and forcefully occupied by the Government of India and Burma (Myanmar) in complete violation of Human Rights as well as violation of Self- Determination under the charters of the United Nations. The Government of India though it calls itself a democratic nation is not really one but in reality it is a Fascist Government. Likewise, the Military Junta of Burma (Myanmar) which is a dictatorship and military regime is a Government that is condemned by the world at large .

The Naga National Council as the parent body and the political institution of the Naga people will always stand to defend the Naga Sovereign rights as a people and nation based on the policy of non-violence and Non-Co-operation which has been the core principle  since the inception of our political movement for freedom of Sovereignty.

 We the NNC will always stand to defend and protect our rich culture, tradition, and religion of Christianity as our God given freedom on this earth. We praise God that the world recognises the Naga people as a distinct and unique people on this earth.

Today the Naga National Council (Parent Body) appreciates and supports those individuals, unions, civil societies, student bodies, etc. who have boldly spoken out, intervened, and condemned the vices emerging out in the Homeland without any hesitation in support and betterment of our people. These are praiseworthy and we look forward to see more bold steps taken in the future for the rights of the Naga people in the Homeland.

 May our people unitedly stand together to overcome all the vices and evils in the society in days to come to achieve our freedom of Sovereignty.

Kuknalim