Ukhrul: 73 years of Naga Plebiscite Day that was conducted on 16 May 1951 was commemorated at Wung Tangkhul Region at WTR Compound, Ukhrul Headquarters on Thursday, once again demonstrating that Nagalim was never a part of the Indian Union or Myanmar either by consent or conquest.
Central Administrative Officer of Wung Tangkhul Region, Ayung Sayai in his welcome address expressed immense gratitude to Naga leaders of the past and present for their selfless sacrifice and the vision they have sown for the future. Ayung Sayai elaborated on the journey and the historic plebiscite that took place 73 years ago. Ayung Sayai stated, “the question of ‘Naga Sovereignty’ was put to a plebiscite on 16 May 1951 to defend ourselves and free ourselves and 99.9% of the Nagas wanted independence from India.”
“Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don’t stand in the doorway
Don’t block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
The battle outside ragin’
Will soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'” strummed Guru Rewben Mashangva and presented the beautiful song of Bob Dylan “For The Times They Are A -Changin” during the programme.
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Artax A Shimray stated that “in 1917 during the First World War about 4000 Nagas Labor Corps who after returning from France in 1918 decided that all the Nagas should come together under one political umbrella and organized the Naga Club.”
“The Naga Club representation to the Simon Commission became the cornerstone of the Naga political movement which defined the rights of the Nagas and it still stands to be one of the most significant steps taken to assert the uniqueness and oneness of the Nagas” added Artax A Shimray.
Ngachonmi Chamroy stated that ‘ it has been almost 80 years now that different organisations and leaders have spearheaded the Naga movement and talks. In our age, under the leadership of Isak Chishi Swu and Th. Muivah, the NSCN/GPRN has signed the historic Framework Agreement and we are all looking for a logical conclusion to arrive at the earliest time.”
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Ngachonmi Chamroy remarked “There is a possibility of armed conflict in the region if the Union of India does not handle the ongoing peace talk seriously. The saying ‘history repeats itself’ is true and we have witnessed it from history.” A plebiscite in 1961 was conducted to prove to the British and India that the Nagas didn’t want to be a part of India when the British left. The Nagas declared independence on 14 August 1947, one day ahead of India. R. Suisa has once stated that biologically, culturally and our way of life is very different from India. We have never been dependent on India. “The ingenuity of Nagas is allowed to develop without any hindrance, it is the pure definition of democracy” stated Ngachonmi Chamroy.
Ngachonmi Chamroy further continued that “the Tangkhul people ought to give utmost respect to AZ Phizo and other leaders of the past for their vision and sacrifices.” He also elaborated on the pain, trauma and suffering of the Naga people at the hands of Indian Security Forces during the armed conflict. Effective unity must be once again demonstrated by the whole Nagas. To do this, we need to go back to a democratic society. The directive system would not work in the long run. But we need to respect and understand each other and come together at a table to reason and peacefully solve the differences between families. Time is changing. We must adapt to a changing world. We need to adapt the policy to the changing world scenario but without compromising our principles.”
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The commemoration programme was attended by the Naga people residing in Wung Tangkhul Region on Thursday at WTR Compound, Ukhrul Headquarters in solidarity with the rest of the Nagas. Tangkhul CSOs leaders, church leaders, human rights activists and elders from different corners attended the solemn commemoration.
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