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DIMAPUR — Thuingaleng Muivah, General Secretary and Ato Kilonser of NSCN/GPRN, turned 90 on Saturday. The day also marked his 60th year of Naga National Service.
Celebrating the occasion at Camp Hebron, President of NSCN/GPRN, Q. Tuccu said that 60 years of dedicated service for the ‘Naga nation’ is no mean achievement for any person, while lauding Muivah for giving his everything for the Naga political issue.
“You spare no effort to work on this line and the world knows too well how you have gone through blood, sweat and tears to save the Naga nation from being thrown into oblivion,” he said while highlighting the magnificent role he played in letting the world take cognizance of Nagas as a people and as a nation.
Citing the group’s international campaigns for decades, including Nagalim being made a bona fide member of UNPO in 1993, he said Muivah had left no stone unturned in cultivating the political legitimacy of the Naga nation, along with late Chairman Isak Chishi Swu. He also mentioned the signing of the historic Framework Agreement with the government of India in 2015.
DIMAPUR — The Naga people will remain indebted to him for defending the sovereignty identity of the Naga nation and his groundbreaking foray into Naga political movement, he said.
“It was because of your brand of revolutionary leadership that the governments of India take notice of the Naga issue from correct perspective,” he added.
Vice-President of NSCN/GPRN, Tongmeth Wangnao also recounted his association with Muivah for decades, acknowledging him for making the Indian authorities understand the reality of the Naga people and history. “You have fought a good Fight,” he added.
Safeguard your rights — Muivah
Speaking at the event, Muivah expressed profound gratitude, stating that the day held an unparalleled significance in his heart, marking his 90 years of life, a blessing bestowed by God never to be revisited.
He mentioned that the Nagas inherently owned the air and land, asserting that Naga rights belong exclusively to the Nagas, just as Indian rights pertain solely to India.
Urging the gathering to safeguard their rights, he said it will inevitably slip away, necessitating relentless pursuit, if they do not fight for it.
He also encouraged the gathering not to fear, assuring them of divine blessings for their endeavours.
60 years of service without break
Providing a brief account of Muivah’s 60 years of Naga national service, Deputy Ato Kilonser, V. S Atem said that he completed his MA in 1963, at a time when there were hardly any post graduates among the Naga community, before joining the Naga National Council (NNC) in 1964. He was elected as the second General Secretary of the NNC in 1965, and since held the same position and as the Ato Kilonser till 1978.
Atem shared that the general secretary along with the brigadier general and about 130 other soldiers ventured out to China, which is at least is 800 km away, and reached there in 1967 after overcoming lots of obstacles. He also recalled his return from China in 1972 and his subsequent detention for about one-and-a-half-year before he was released on January 24 1980.
The Deputy Ato Kilonser further said the NSCN leader gave his service to the people for 60 years without a day’s break.
At the event, short speeches were also shared by the representatives of CSOs including: Naga Hoho, Global Naga Forum, Naga Mother’s Association, NPMHR, Tirap, Changlang and Longding People’s Forum, Forum for Naga Reconciliation, Naga Students’ Federation, Eastern Naga People’s Organisation, United Naga Council, Naga Women’s Union Manipur, Eastern Naga Students’ Federation, Naga Council Dimapur, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, Dimapur Naga Students’ Union and All Naga Students’ Association Manipur.