A tribute on the 68th Martyr’s Day, by I Temjenba Lkr, Kedallo,Federal Government of Nagaland, on the 18th of October, 2019 at Transit Peace Camp, Kohima.
Dear Countrymen,
On this fateful day, the 18th October, 1952 an aggressive armed Indian officer killed the Naga leader EnoZasibitoNagi of Jotsoma Village, in broad daylight, in the heart of Kohima town, during a peaceful public procession. He was the first Naga martyr to be killed by the Indian army. Hence, the Naga Nation has marked this day, the 18th of October each year as the National Martyr’s Day, to pay tribute to those who laid down their lives in defending our sovereignty.
In fact, the war between India and Nagaland could have been averted, if the Indian leader after Mahatma Gandhi understood the position of the Naga people and Naga National stand. The leaders such as the first Prime Minister of New India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, arrogantly began to invade Nagaland with the help of the Indian Armed Forces, with the aim to force the Naga to give in, however failed.
The Indian Armed Forces committed such criminal atrocities as burning down of thousands of Naga Villages and churches and granaries. Many patriots and innocent civilians were killed, women were sexually assaulted and killed, men tortured to death.
Mentioned below are some instances of the criminal atrocities committed by them. They are putting them in a nutshell:-
1. The Yimpang village Massacre of November 14, 1954, in the Chang Region;
2. The Longpha Village massacre of June 6, 1956, in the Ao Region during which five civilians were massacred by the 5th Gurkha Regiment, another Nükshiliba’s dead body was found later;
3. The Settsü Village massacre of June 16, in the Ao Region, when five civilians were killed at a time;
4. Corpl. Shamla, Naga Home Guard, who hailed from Atuphumi Village, was killed in the field of Ungma Village, on the 10th of August, 1957 by the Indian Army,Shamlas’s head was beheaded, while a young man working in the fields was forced to carry the head up to till Mokokchung town, and displayed it before the public!
5. The massacre of the two sisters, Miss Imtiyangla Miss Merenchila of Longkhum Village, on the 8th of October, 1962 by the Indian Army! Both of them were from the same family.
6. The Matikhrü village massacre of September 6, 1960, in the Pochury Region wherein all the menfolk were massacred by the Indian Army; all houses burnt down.
Many more reports of such inhuman atrocities committed by the occupational Armed Forces of India against the Nagas will be found in the records of the Naga Nation. Please see also the atrocity report “The fate of the Naga people an appeal to the World” submitted to UN by A.Z. Phizo, President, NNC in July, 1960: London.
The Nagas will never compromise their sovereignty to India or to any State in the world. Hence, we will never betray the heroes who sacrificed their lives for a sovereign and independent Nagaland. There would be no permanent peace in Nagaland, unless The Indian Occupational Forces nobly withdraw from Nagaland, and we hope that the new Indian leaders, with true sense of wisdom will prevail against the false claims of India on Nagaland, and peacefully resolve the conflict, based on the unique historical facts of the Naga Nation.
May the good Lord grant peace to the martyrs, and solace to their orphans, widows and grandchildren.
May God bless Nagaland - UrraUvie.
Kuknalim
