Kohima, August 14: Amidst uncertainty looming over the peace process, and sharp division in the society, Naga people across the globe today celebrated 74th Naga Independence Day calling for unity.
The global celebration of Naga Independence Day was initiated by the Global Naga Forum (GNF) and Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), and supported by various Naga organizations, spreading across Naga inhabited areas and Naga solidarity groups.
The Naga national flag was hoisted across the world and Naga homeland calling for unity among Naga people. This year’s celebration was also intended to remonstrate and resent against elements which are hell bent to fragment Naga people, said one of the organizers of Naga Independence Day.
Naga flag was hoisted in all the offices of federating units of NSF and offices of mainstream Naga organizations throughout Naga homeland, despite objection from authorities and security forces in some places like Meluri and Phek. In Mokokchung Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) also hoisted Naga flag regardless of presence of Assam Rifles in the vicinity.
The Naga flag was jointly hoisted at Naga Club, by NSF and All Nagaland College Students’ Union (ANCSU).
In Myanmar, Naga Students’ and Youth Federation celebrated the day in several place. “The Naga Independence was declared on 14th August 1947 from the British ahead of India and Myanmar. But, after a few years we lost our self-determination, rights and freedom, due to taking into advantages over the weaker and helpless nation. We were forcibly divided into small groups against our will and placed us in different administrative units. Consequently, the Naga people have been in turmoil for the present day,” said NSYF.
Celebration was also held at Layshi, Khamti and other major towns.
The GNF celebrated the day from 11 am to 1 pm where Dr. Visier Sanyu, president, Overseas Naga Association and member, Forum for Naga Reconciliation, spoke on “Historical perspective of the Naga political struggle” and Prof. Paul Pimomo, Central Washington University, spoke on “Towards a just peace, respecting Naga rights and dignity”.
Solidarity messages also came from by Tapan Bose, The other media, SAFHR, Signe Leth, Senior Advisor, Indigenous Women &Land Rights, Asia, IWGIA, Galina Angarova (Buryat), Executive Director, Cultural Survival, USA, Advocate Shankar Limbu, LAHURNIP, Nepal, Ghazali Ohorella, (Maluku) Intl. Human Rights Law, Expert on Indigenous Peoples Rights, Advisor, International Relations and Indigenous Rights Alifuru Clouncil, Raja Devashish Roy, Former Minister, Bangladesh, former Expert Member, UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous issue, Gam Shimray, secretary general, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact and Vijayan MJ, Pakistan India People’s Forum for Peace and Democratic (PIPFPD).
In solidarity were Naga Hoho, FNR, Naga Mothers Association and Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR).
It was on this day the Naga National Council (NNC) hoisted a Naga flag and unilaterally declared independence from the British yoke, which was never accepted by the Government of India. (Page News Service)
