16 POINT AGREEMENT – THE GREATEST BETRAYAL IN NAGA HISTORY

16 POINT AGREEMENT – THE GREATEST BETRAYAL IN NAGA HISTORY

Kaka D. Iralu
February 15, 2003

The Wider Historical Background:
July 18, 1947 – The British Parliament had passed the Indian Independence Bill of July 4, 1947. After two hundred years of groaning under colonial rule, India and Pakistan were finally free to leave the British Commonwealth and become two sovereign dominions.

This was indeed Asia’s hour of freedom from colonial rule. Very soon Burma to their Northeast and Ceylon to their south would also become free on January 4, 1948, and February 4, 1948, respectively. To their north and Northwest, ancient kingdoms like Nepal, Afghanistan, and Tibet would also breathe a sigh of relief at the sight of the departing British imperial power. New constitutions would be drafted, new national flags would be unfurled and Asia would never be the same again.

Foreseeing all these cataclysmic changes that would be sweeping through the entire Asian continent, the Naga National Council (NNC), under its farsighted leader A.Z.Phizo had also declared Naga independence on 14th August 1947 and informed the UN Headquarters in New York. In order to make their stand more clearly heard and established in the noise and din of Asia’s awakening, they had further conducted the Naga Plebiscite of May 16, 1951. All these events were done to declare to Asia and the world that Nagaland too would become an independent sovereign nation to take her rightful place in Asia’s new chapter in history.

However knowing that India could not be bypassed, Phizo after the Plebiscite had on behalf of the Nagas, written thus to Nehru on December 29, 1951:
…“With the verdict of the Naga adult population embodied in the Plebiscite papers go our sincere feeling of goodwill to the government and people of India. It is the prayer of the Naga people that the government of India will respect the desire of the Naga people for having their own independent state, separate and sovereign. To allay the fears and suspicion of India, Nagas on their part will agree to accept an Indian national to be President of independent Nagaland for a stated period”…

He further added:
…“What the future has in store for the Nagas, time alone can show. Besides God, India today holds our destiny in her hands. Whether we, the Nagas shall shed our tears in joy or whether in sorrow and anger is a matter which India will decide”… (See contents of the full letter in Nagaland and India, the blood and the tears, pp. 533 – 541)

Nehru and India’s response to this Naga plea was to invade Nagaland with 2 divisions of the Indian army and 35 battalions of the Assam Rifles and Armed police in the early 1950s. (For details, see B.N.Mulik’s book, My years with Nehru, p.312)

This invasion, by the late 1950s, reduced six hundred forty-five Naga villages to ashes resulting in the deaths of over a hundred thousand Naga lives who died from bullets, torture, starvation and diseases. By 1960, the Naga landscape was a wasteland of razed houses and broken lives.

In short, a nation that had desperately tried to raise its flag to take its rightful place in the new Asian scenario now lay devastated and almost destroyed.

However, Phizo had successfully escaped to London on June 16, 1960. His arduous journey across the Angami, Zeliangrong regions and on to East Pakistan too, had left behind a trial of blood, as villages that had assisted his escape were burned and in some cases, its male population wiped out by the Indian army. But whatever the price paid in Nagaland, all Nagas were now looking with hope to Phizo for their national salvation. Phizo had been sent with full plenipotentiary powers to present the Naga case in the UN. Therefore all the people in Nagaland were praying, when they learned that Phizo was going to address the world press on July 26, 1960. Phizo was also going to present the well-documented booklet “The fate of the Nagas, an appeal to the world” in order to bring charges of genocide against India for its crimes against Nagaland.

However, the sacrifices of over a hundred thousand Naga lives and the divine providence of God in helping Phizo to escape to England would all be nullified by the 16 Point Agreement.

Hearing about Phizo’s achievements, the Indian government had hurriedly dispatched an IAF Dakota to Dimapur on the 25th of January 1960. Members of the Naga People’s Convention were hurriedly gathered from all corners of Nagaland. They were all flown to Delhi on the 26th July 1960, and on the same afternoon, the Indian manipulated 16 Point Agreement was already lying on the table of the Prime Minister of India. (For a detailed account of the Indian manipulation in creating the Naga Peoples Convention and the 16 Point Agreement in order to nullify the Naga Plebiscite of 1951; See Nagaland and India, the blood and the tears, pp. 18 – 27)

The Naga People’s Convention members that went to Delhi was namely: Dr. Imkongliba Ao, Jasokie Angami, Chubatoshi Jamir, R.C.Chiten Jamir, Kelhoshe Sema, Etsorhmo Lotha, Sentsi Rengma, Lakhimong Yimchunger, Litingse Sangtam, Pauthing Phom, Pudemo Chakhesang, Imtichuba Chang, Thanwang Konyak, Thinuowholie Zeliang, T.N.Angami, Sashimeren Ao, H.Zopianga, Goyiepra Chakhesang, and P.Shilu Ao.

The Indian side was represented by the following persons: Shri. S.Dutt, Foreign Secretary, K.L.Mehta, Joint Secretary (E), N.K.Rustomji, Advisor to the Governor of Assam, M.Ramunny, Commissioner NHTA, R.Khathing, DC Mokokchung, T.S.Krishnamurti, Private Secretary to the Governor of Assam, Har.Mander Singh, Deputy Secretary (N).

The discussions from the meetings between the NPC and the Indian government resulted in the state of Nagaland Act 1962 which converted the Naga Hills – Tuensang Area and the Naga Hills District of Assam into the Indian state of Nagaland on December 1, 1963.

From thenceforth, Naga's lives would be divided into two camps. In one camp, the inmates would be provided with heavy security for their protection. In fact, even today, their houses are still guarded by these forces. In the other camp, the inmates would be hunted like animals for the rest of their lives. Many of them would even fall from the enemy’s bullets.

As already stated, Phizo addressed the world press in London on 26th July 1960. Parts of his statement read:
“I have come to this country on behalf of the Nagas to tell the people of Britain and through them the people of the whole world of the terrible tragedy that has overtaken our country. I have come here because we found ourselves helpless in the hands of superior forces. …I should like to make a particular appeal to the people of India to understand what has been done in their names and to come forward to help bring these sufferings to an end… Killing… raping… forced labor… concentration camps… torture must be stopped… this horrible tragedy must not be allowed to continue even for a day longer… The world press must be allowed to see for themselves the real state of things in any and all parts of Nagaland… we are helpless; that is why I am here and I am humbly making this appeal to the great people of Britain, to the Indians and to the whole world to help resolve our differences between India and the Nagas…”
(Extracted from, statement by A.Z.Phizo, 81 Danison House 296 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London, dated July 26, 1960)

Back in India too, and on the same day, the NPC delegates were having a closed session with Nehru and some Indian leaders. Immediately following these discussions (stretching to 27th and 28th July) a counter-statement was given by the Indian government declaring to the world that the Indo-Naga conflict had been amicably settled through the 16 Point Agreement.

In this way, as the Naga nation stood grievously wounded and tottering from its baptism of fire, and even as Phizo was pleading with the world for intervention, the Naga nation was stabbed from within by its own people who had collaborated with the enemy for their own ends.

This act of treachery would condemn Nagas to forty-three years of Indian rule. And since the sacrifice of over one lakh Naga lives could not set Nagaland free from the Indian invasion, another one lakh Naga lives would have to be sacrificed again to defy that Indian state of Nagaland in the subsequent years.

In the light of all these historical facts, fellow Nagas – as you once again walk to the polling booths to cast your votes for this Indian state of Nagaland, remember this - that you are treading on the blood of your own kith and kin to justify India before the world.

(The second section will present how Phizo up to December 5, 1963, pleaded with the NPC members to meet and discuss possible ways of not going beyond the 16 Point Agreement and preventing elections from being conducted in Nagaland)
(II Section)
The over one hundred thousand innocent Nagas who were killed by the fifty-four thousand Indian troops in the 1950s were described by the Indian Government as goondas, gangsters, extremely bloodthirsty, and so on. Were they indeed such heinous criminals that their villages and houses had to be burned to ashes? As they perished starving and shivering in the jungles, was their fate a deserving punishment that they had brought upon themselves?

The destruction of their homes and lives were carried out under the authority of Indian laws. The Indian soldiers who carried out these heinous acts were operating under the sanction, protection, and legal immunity of Acts and Regulations like The Assam Maintenance of Public Order Act, 1953, The Assam Disturbed Area Act, 1955, The Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 etc.etc

Now, had these Naga villagers indeed created public disorders in Assam? Had they disturbed peace and tranquility in Assam that they could even be shot to death on mere suspicion as sanctioned under The Armed Forces Special Powers Act 1958?

The truth is, none of these innocent Naga villagers were anywhere near any Assamese lands when their villages were attacked by the Indian Army and burned to ashes. I repeat, none of the six hundred forty-five villages that were burned – whether it was Khonoma or Longpha or Xhuivi - were in Assamese territory or Assamese lands.

Why then were over one hundred thousand Nagas done to death in the 1950s branded as bloodthirsty goondas and gangsters creating disturbances in Assam and India?

In the name of God and in the name of humanity, we demand an answer from the Government and people of India. If however, the people and the Government of India cannot give us a satisfactory answer, then we shall take our question to the highest court of law in the world. We shall do this because thousands and thousands of Nagas cannot simply disappear from the pages of history without a reason or an answer.

Coming back to the subject of the article, Phizo had fled to London to present the plight of his suffering people to the attention of the world. This had become necessary because the world was not willing to believe the many reports that had been sent out from Nagaland to various governments in the world. India had effectively seen to this by pulling down an iron curtain of total news censorship all over Nagaland. At that time, not to talk of foreign pressmen – even conscientious Indian journalists were not allowed to see what was happening in Nagaland. (See, for example, The Tuensang Frontier Division [undesirable persons] Regulation Act, 1955).

But as stated earlier, all the sacrifices of the Nagas and all of Phizo’s attempts to draw the attention of the world were foiled by the Naga Indian collaborators of the 16 Point Agreement.

At this juncture, someone might ask: But has not all the development in Nagaland come as a result of the 16 Point Agreement? Others might even say, Where would Nagas be today if it were not for the 16 Point Agreement? My reply would be: But for India’s interference, Nagaland today would be as progressed and developed as any of her Asian neighbors. This is because God had gifted enough resources for Nagaland to develop herself like any other nation.

As for India’s development assistance to Nagaland in the form of roads, buildings, schools, etc., if these so-called development works are meant as compensation for all the Nagas that the Indian Army had killed, then let India take away all their roads and buildings back to India. For we will not trade the blood and tears of our people for any of their development works in Nagaland. Yea, we would rather, walk barefooted on bare footpaths than exchange the lives of our kith and kin for metalled roads and concrete buildings.

As for Phizo and the 99.9% Nagas of the plebiscite, they refused to surrender to the treacherous betrayal of the 16 Point Agreement. From London, Phizo continued to plead with the Naga People’s Convention not to go any further and conduct an election in Nagaland. In letters after letters running into thousands and thousands of words, he pleaded with the NPC members not to go ahead with the Indian Elections in Nagaland. In one such letter he had written:
“If we simply barter away the birthright of our posterity due to fear or through selfishness, we shall have committed an unpardonable sin…”

In another letter he wrote:
“But for Shilu Ao or any other Naga to compel our people to do things against their will, and that with the force of the Indian army, it is almost unthinkable. We shall never agree to such a betrayal…”

In one of his last letters, dated December 5, 1963, Phizo even went so far as to write:
“The so-called Interim Body will be burying the Nagas alive if the proposed election takes place…”
(For details of Phizo’s quoted words, see “Reminiscences of Correspondences with A.Z.Phizo”, pp.13, 25, by S.C.Jamir, March 31, 1998).

However, the Naga People’s Convention and the Interim Body in collaboration with the Indian Government went ahead with the first election in Nagaland on January 10-16, 1964.

Both the Indian general elections of 1952 and 1957 had been totally boycotted by the Nagas. But now, the NPC with India’s armed assistance had successfully conducted the first Indian election in Nagaland. After consolidating their position firmly in the Indian Union, on January 24, 1964, eight days after the completion of the election, S.C.Jamir wrote to Phizo saying:
“It was not without difficulties, (that) the Nagaland administration obtained guarantees of safe conduct for you and your delegation…I personally feel that no better opportunity would come for our meeting and thus, we should not fail to meet at this stage…”

Phizo never replied to him because he realized that the NPC had betrayed the Naga nation and there was no further point in the meeting some Naga-Indian politicians.

Earlier on, even Jawaharlal Nehru, having realized that Nagas could not be intimidated into submission and knowing full well that the 16 Point Agreement was not what Nagas were demanding, had, from the floor of the Indian Parliament expressed his willingness to talk to Phizo in March 1963. But some members of the NPC opposed even this desire of Nehru and successfully prevented him from meeting Phizo.

In one of his earlier letters to S.C.Jamir dated August 31, 1963. Phizo had written:
“But I know we have some excitable young men to deal with who does not care what may happen to the nation.”

These “excitable” young Nagas had through the 16-Point Agreement of 1960 and the election of 1964 condemned the Naga nation to forty-three years of Indian rule in Nagaland.

IF THIS IS NOT TREACHERY AND BETRAYAL THEN WHAT IS IT?

In conclusion, as for subsequent Naga history and tragedies, if there had been no NPC and no 16-Point Agreement in 1960, there never would have been a Revolutionary Government surrender in 1973 or a Shillong Accord in 1975, or an NSCN in 1980 and 1988, or a second NNC in 1990.

In summary, the seeds of confusions, suspicions, corruption and fratricidal killings were all sown into Naga hearts and soil when the NPC signed the infamous 16-Point Agreement with the Government of India in 1960.

 

A NAGA COUNTRY: THE IMPENDING NEED FOR A SEPARATE ISO 3166- COUNTRY CODE.

 A NAGA COUNTRY: THE IMPENDING NEED FOR A SEPARATE ISO 3166- COUNTRY CODE.

A compact and contiguous territorial homeland of the Nagas measuring approximately 1,20,000 km2 that lies between India, Myanmar, and China is the much historical claim of the undivided country of all the Nagas. This God-given, natural and ancestral land of the Nagas with beautiful hills & valleys, mountains, flora and fauna, and incredible natural resources are still inhabited by the Nagas themselves along with their other kindred tribes. It was the British colonial authority and its illegal successors who had arbitrarily divided the Nagas and their country into different administrative setups under alien rule. Recognition of the Naga country as a single political entity by the international community especially India & Myanmar has been the essence of the popular Naga aspiration, powerful political locomotion of the Naga national struggle. The dark conspiracy and repressive policies against such collective aspiration of the Nagas have time and again reconsolidated the national struggle and the spirit of oneness in Christ among the Nagas. Who can undo the will of God in repeopling the Nagas as a new nation? Who can force us to do what is against the will of God? Who really can stop the working of the Holy Spirit of God for bringing a just and lasting peace in this part of the Naga world? India, the largest democratic nation in the world whom Nagas as of late has put their credence will help in bringing genuine peace and comprehensive progress in consonance with the genius of the Naga people.

It is high time for the Nagas to critically understand about a country that they have been fighting for with more than 2.5 lakhs of precious lives of the Nagas being sacrificed. The modern concept of a country began in the 17th century. The Peace Treaty of Westphalia in 1648 was considered a turning point in international relations between different territorial entities. The American Revolution (1775) and the French revolution (1789) that articulated popular sovereignty further contributed towards the growth of the country-based nationhood. There is no universal definition of the term “country” to date. A country according to Webster's dictionary means land or territory of a nation or state that includes the peoples themselves. Oxford (Lexico) gives the meaning of a country as a nation having its own government occupying a particular territory with separate citizenship rights. The Montevideo Convention (Treaty) of 1933 threw some light for the first time on the creation of statehood with obligatory rights and duties. Article 1 of the treaty says a state is a person of international law which must possess (a) a defined territory (b) permanent population (c) Government and (d) the capacity to enter into relations with other states. Here, ‘state’ is a legal term for a country. Articles 3 further declares that statehood is independent of recognition of other states. A country is meant to still exist even in the absence of recognition by other countries. This legal premise is based upon the principle of the declarative theory of statehood. The constitutive theory of statehood on the other hand defines a state or country as a person of international law if, and only if it is recognized as sovereign by other sovereign states. Recognition by sovereign countries is a prerequisite to becoming a country under this theory. Meaning, in both theories the state/country must be a person of international law having the capacity to enter relations with other countries.

The formation of the United Nations Organization (UNO) in1945 initially with 51 nation-states and the subsequent emergence of many other sovereign nation-states have brought a new dimension in international law and structure of relations. Self-determination means the legal and political rights of people to decide their own destiny in the international order. It is the core principle of international law and such national right is protected under the new international order of the UN regime. Various provisions under the UN Charter (1945), International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ICCPR (1966), Universal Declarations on Human Rights, UDHR,(1948)and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, UNDRIP(2007) give cognizance of right to self-determination. In the given perspective, self-determination without its own flag and constitution is no self-determination at all either internally or externally or both. In the new international scheme of countries, there are currently altogether 249 countries having separate ISO – Country Codes- 3166 out of which only 193 are sovereign independent UN member-countries whereas the remaining 56 are Non- UN member but sovereign and independent and semi-independent countries having their own ISO country codes under UN jurisdiction.ISO stands for International Organization for Standardization. The changing dynamics of international laws and practices that efficaciously accommodated separate ISO-country codes to many new countries of different political status and varied geopolitical size including many indigenous nations by blending the noted two theories is indeed greatly ushering the building of comprehensive & meaningful world peace.

Categories of states entitled to get separate ISO- Country Codes are; UN member-countries, UN observer states, sovereign but Non- UN member states, self-governing associate states (unincorporated), and dependent territories(unincorporated) having an international personality. All these categories of states are sovereign & independent and/or semi-independent states with their own flags and constitutions as separate nations or sub-nations having expressive right to hold a future referendum. The point is that in order to get a separate country code, the state in question must be an international person subject to international law either wholly or partly. Meaning, the only technical requirement to become a new country and obtain her separate country name & country code into ISO 3166 -1 under the guidelines of ISO 3166 Maintenance Agency (UN) is to get registered in one of these two sources i.e. (i) United Nations Terminology Bulletin on country names; or (ii) Country and Region Codes for statistical use of UN Statistics Division. Again to be enlisted in the above noted (i) UN Terminology Bulletin on country names, that applicant-country must be at least; a member state of the United Nations; or a member of one of the United Nations’ fifteen (15) Specialized Agencies; or party to the statute of the International Court of Justice. The country name will be added to ISO 3166-1 once it appears in either of the said two sources.

When and how will the Nagas get a separate country code? The present Nagaland which is the 16th state of India governed by the constitution of India is not a country at all. Article 371A neither provides real internal autonomy nor a clause for future referendums as it does not possess even a characteristic of a quasi-country like sub-nation. However, Article 371A provides to the Nagas some constitutional safeguards pertaining to land and natural resources, customary laws, social, and religious matters almost resembling the protective rights given to many Scheduled Tribes and other minorities. Like any other Indian state, Nagaland cannot secede from India and accordingly cannot become a country unless it is critically transformed and restructured along with other outside Naga territories that equally constituted the undivided Naga country. The correct remedial approach will be a logical and honorable conclusion of the ongoing Indo-Naga negotiation which has made India duly recognize the legitimacy of the pending Naga national movement based on Nagas’ unique history and their right to self-determination as a separate entity. The Indo- Naga Framework Agreement (FA) 2015 signed under the most dynamic, visionary, strong, and principled leadership of (L) Isak Chishi Swu, His Excellency, the then Yaruiwo of NSCN/GPRN and Th. Muivah, Hon’ble Ato Kilonser, and present Chief negotiator have made the most pragmatic and middle path win-win agreement to resolve the pending oldest Indo- Naga political conflict. The FA provides some significant attributes:

(1) Recognition of the unique history and position of the Nagas (It means recognition of the historical fact that Nagas have not been a part of India either by consent or by conquest and hence the legitimacy of their national struggle. It further means taking cognizance of the Naga issue as an external matter of India and thereby treating them as a separate entity),

(2) Nagas’ appreciation of the intricacies of the Indian system (It means that as an act of reciprocity to the above recognition, Nagas appreciate the difficult situation of the Indian system of governance that primarily involves their security concerns having direct geopolitical and strategic proximity with the Nagas in the eastern frontier. This further signifies the mutual agreement for a joint ventures on security issues identical to both sides.

(3) Recognition of the universal principle that in a democracy, sovereignty lies with the people (It predominantly means India’s recognition of the system and structure of Naga democracy & governance and recognition of the right to use the universal principle of conducting a referendum to democratically determine any issue relating to the territorial integrity & sovereignty of the Nagas),

(4) Agreement to share sovereign powers between India and the Nagas as defined in the competencies to bring enduring and inclusive new relationship for peaceful co-existence of the two entities (It means a mutual agreement for sharing sovereign powers: defense, external affairs, currency, etc. as two separate entities in terms of extra-territorial relations). No political agreement has ever been made by India with any one of the existing states for sharing sovereign powers except the FA signed with the Nagas on the basis of Nagas’unique history.

(5) Agreed to abjure all forms of violent confrontation once for all(It means the interpretation, as well as the implementation of the detailed workout of the FA, must be carried out lawfully and peacefully without any coercive act to bring permanent solution once for all. Forcibly putting the Naga issue at par with post-independent intra-territorial problems of other ethnic minorities/peoples within India will clearly contradict the already agreed principles.

The interpretation of FA should necessarily be made in tune with the relevant legal principles of interpretation and as well as in corroboration with all the Naga historical facts and circumstantial materials leading to the signing of the Framework Agreement and the objective thereof. Meaning, the legal version of the agreed principles and recognitions made in the Framework Agreement itself embodies a Naga country having her own flag & yezabo (Constitution) outside the Union of India.

Naga flag and constitution is an essential prerequisite for the Nagas to obtain a separate ISO 3166-1 country code by becoming a new country ( Associate state/Dependent territory of India or both India & Myanmar) having at least a membership to one of the fifteen (15) Specialized Agencies of UN, such as an International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), World Health Organization(WHO), International Labor Organization (ILO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), etc. Secondly, India cannot have a joint defense or foreign affairs with any one of her existing states as the matter falls to the center's prerogative. However, in the case of the Nagas, the much talk about the new Indo- Naga relationship through the shared sovereignty method (joint defense & joint foreign affairs,etc.)will be legitimate and workable only when Nagas are treated as a separate entity as already agreed upon in FA. This is in tune with universal principles and available international models. It may be good if the People's Government of Nagalim, a member country of UNPO initiates minimal international relations, especially in socio-economic and cultural matters. Thirdly, the construct of the system and structure of Naga democratic government (Legislative, Executive, & Judiciary) are to be made up of many Naga native terminology and nomenclatures that appear to have been included in the proposed draft agreement. It will suffer defeat for want of constitutional sanction during a parliamentary passage for endorsement unless it is supported, determined, and be implemented by a Naga yezabo(constitution)of its own. Indian constitution per se cannot sanction separate Naga native nomenclatures & structure of governance. Indian constitution may, however, be partially applied in Naga territory strictly as regards to those shared competencies only. Fourthly, Naga country as a separate entity i.e. Associate state / Dependent territory (both unincorporated state models) will enable the restoration of the Naga territories presently in Myanmar, an equal partner in Naga national struggle who have been suffering the most, in defense of an undivided Naga country. The surging India being the larger entity needs to consider the application of relevant international law and models including international models of unincorporated territories such as; Cook Islands-New Zealand and Puerto Rico-USA(Associated statehood models)and Anguilla, Bermuda, Falkland Island, St. Helena-United Kingdom, UK (Dependent territories) to resolve the long-drawn Indo-Naga conflict in the interest of peace and justice. Lastly, the Parliament of India may cause the necessary amendments of Article 260 and Article 2 of the constitution to enable the signing and the implementation of the proposed Indo- Naga final draft agreement. To collectively materialize this political roadmap of a Naga country, all concerned Naga stakeholders who are engaged in talks with GOI are earnestly appealed to come together in the spirit of oneness and resolve the oldest Indo- Naga political conflict once for all. Give peace chance!

Naga Indigenous Peoples Alliance, NIPA

KUKI IS A REFUGEE, NOT A INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF MANIPUR

 

KUKI IS A REFUGEE, NOT A INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF MANIPUR

 

“Kuki War of Independence 1917-1919” by Kukis
                                        V/S
“Massacre of people of Manipur by Kuki Marauders.1917-1919”

A critical analysis based on History, Geography and Political situation.

1. It has been unanimously resolved that there is no need of giving rejoinders to each and every endless fabricated stories and forgery of historical documents, literature, religious and traditional records with intention to cheat by the Kuki conspirators, particularly by the Thadou Kukis. Perforce Haomee and Yek-Salai of Meitei and Nagas have to adopt various measures and counter measures against such dirty and dangerous conspiracy to save the identity of the indigenous people and motherland. The case against the forgery will have to be taken up immediately as priority. We have lost everything; the only one left is action. It is time for “action”.
2. Massacre of hill and valley people by Kuki marauders.
There was no Kuki War of Independence 1917-1919. There had been number of heinous crimes of massacre of the indigenous people and more of Thangkhul, Kabui etc. including valley people of Manipur since the arrival of Kukis in Manipur. There was no “Kuki War of Independence 1917-1919” it is shockingly condemnatory that the heinous crime of assassination and massacre of men, woman, children, traders and cultivators by Kukis have been glorified and manipulated as “Kuki War of Independence” to boil the blood of Haomee (Naga + Meitei). Telling and writing blatant lies boldly and without any remorse by the Kukis is just a contrary to bravery and generosity of a civilized human race, but it is clear evidence of savagery nature and betrayal.
3. Proposed title of the rebellion.
Any title of the story or narrative should be appropriate, befitting and compatible to the reality of the story. The following were suggested titles:-
a. Massacre of people of Manipur by nomadic immigrants 1917-19.
b. Result of the nomadic Kuki immigrants 1917-19.
c. Opportunist immigrant Kuki rebellion 1917-19.
d. Rebellion of opportunist Kuki immigrants 1917-19.
e. No proper punitive action against Kukis 1917-19.
4. Meaning of war.
(a) It is imperative that one should understand the simple dictionary meaning of war, mutiny, rebellion, uprising etc. it appears that Kukis will not like to understand the meaning of war as it is against their interest and long term plan of having a home state of their own, also ignorantly and brazenly advertised the Kukis resistance to labour recruitment -as “Kuki War of independence”. It was just exaggerated by the Kukis (a storm in the tea-pot) as cyclone or typhoon. Formal declaration of war is done by a sovereign state/country against another sovereign country and its allies. Have the nomadic Kukis walking up in the remote corner of the border and in the un-administered areas of the border making sandwiched transit abode declare war and against whom?
(b) Can the Gypsy (Romas) nomadic race declare war against any European countries? Can the Bakrawals (Gujars and Ahirs) nomadic tribes between India and Pakistan declare war against India or Pakistan? The following paragraphs will give the correct picture how the Hills and Valley indigenous people have been suffering after the arrival of the immigrant nomadic Kukis in Manipur. Another danger is the unseen influx of Rohingya intruders.
(c) Rohingya : Their father country is Bangladesh and mother country is Myanmar, mostly Kuki mothers living in the Sandwitch free land as they call it. They are disowned by father country and thrown out by mother country, Myanmar. They are very close with the Kukis in Manipur and NE India and many of them are hand and glove in some open or secret Business. Out of 35 lakhs to 40 lakhs of Rohingya about 5 to 6 lakhs Rohingya have already been prospective encroachers on the independent life of the people of NE India.
5. Sovereign status and Immigrant/Refugees.
It is undisputed political system of the world that a sovereign State/country should have well known recognized territory, population, government and its own independent authority, Any people from other countries coming in that sovereign country are foreigners/ immigrants or refugees. Apart from the Adivashis, India had been sovereign country of the Asian race. Since thousands and hundreds of years so many Aryan race, Caucasian race, Greeks, Italians, Iranians and Englishmen came and lived for hundreds of years in India. Even they cannot claim themselves as citizen of India, forget about claiming as indigenous people. Likewise if the Kukis have been living in Manipur for few decades of years as Mongoloid group of people, so what? Haomee cannot call the Mongoloid group of people, Japanese, Chinese, Myanmaris, Koreans, and Indonesians etc to be citizen and indigenous people of Manipur.

6. Glorification of Massacre as War of Independence.
(a) Creating savagery Communal wave constantly by the Kukis and the massacre of men, women and Children in the barbaric and Satanic manner, beheaded, butchered, speared to death and some girls taken as slaves and presented to their masters are glorified today as Kuki war of Independence. It is intolerable insult to the irritated descendents of the massacred men and women by the Kukis, who are constantly and crazily looking forward the opportune time to grab the motherland of Meitei, Tangkhul, Kabui, Thangal and all Nagas, the indigenous people of Manipur of yek, Salaichas now united as Haomee to save themselves.

(b) My own assessment of British and India.
The British connection with Manipur started in the year 1762 AD during the Maharaj Joy Singh. What Laijanung Gangte is mentioning about the Treaty of Alliance 1764 is not known. There were a number of Burmese invasion in 1764.It appears as another concocted story if he or she may kindly produce it for our awareness he will be awarded. Manipur was under British rule, for 56 years (1891 to 1947).The political agent’s administrators and the army officers, study of the country people, politic and economy are appreciable. They knew the Geography, history and origin of the people. They study, wrote and kept the records, which no Indian administrators Politicians can do. Let us orientate ourselves what the British wrote and try to improve on it.

7. Orientation and briefing about the Kukis
(a) According to R.K. Jhalajit Singh, Padmashree, Historian the reign of Maharajh Nara Singh (1844-1850) was also known as the “Era of the coming of the Kukis in Manipur”. It is true that some similar tribes of Kukis like Khongjai also migrated and settled in the bordering areas and unadministered tracks and areas of remote hill areas of Manipur even before the Kukis and new Kukis, particularly the Thadou Kukis migrated in the year 1850. According to their own Kuki stories, why they were called Khongsai; was that they were first peoples of Khongsai Vallage in Burma where they came and met Meiteis and Tangkhuls when they migrated in Manipur. Because, there are various tribes of Kukis in the contention of Shakespeare (1912) Kukis are divided into old kuki and new kuki based on their arrival.  lt is also stated by T.S. Gangte Page 55 of his book”..............

The Kukis of Manipur, By T.S Gangte / Table-3.2
/Kuki Division on the basis of Arrival /Old Kuki New Kuki
Aimol, Anal, Chiru, Chothe, Koireng, Kom, Langang, Purum,Gangte, Paite, Simte, Vaiphei, Zou, Hinar. Thadous (and their other kin groups such as, Dongel, Maissao, Luphung Luphao, Ngoilu, Lamhao, Thengeo, Touthang, etc which are not in the list of recognized tribes).
The above is wrong and fabricated information, the first Aimol tribe to Purum tribe are Naga (Haomee of 7 Yek Salai only the last 6 tribes from Gangte to Hmar are Kukis. Page 35. The Kukis of Manipur a historical analysis by T.S. Gangte.

(b) No old and new for indigenous people
The indigenous people of Manipur now united as Haomee (Nagas and Meiteis) have no old or new Naga, or new Meitei. The time of arrival of old and new Kukis are the difference of 15 years to 20 years. That will automatically seen and demonstrated in the following paragraphs. First let us see the following historical records and documents.

I. Major General Sir James Johnstone.
The Kukis are a wandering race consisting of several tribes who have long been working up from the South. They were first heard of as Kukis, in Manipur, between 1830 and 1840. The new immigrants began to cause anxiety about the year 1845, and soon poured into the hill tracts of Manipur in such numbers, as drive away many of the older inhabitants.

II. Seeing that the Kukis had been driven North by the kindred but more powerful tribes, and that their first object was to secure land for cultivation.

III. Kukis original home cannot be ascertained, but there seem to be trace of them as far South as the Malay Peninsula.

IV. T.H. Lewin (1870-130) said that on the Chittagong side, the Kukis were described as:-
“......... men who live in the interior parts of the hill and have not used fire arms and whose bodies go unclothed”. Please mark that this area was also known as “Land of Wild Tribe” upto 1580 AD geographical History. These are the Kukis who claimed as the loss tribe of the Hebrews the ancient most civilized race.

V. Col. Dalton (1872:44) Commissioner said that the Kukis were first known from an article which appeared in the Asiatic Researcher Journal Vol. VII 1799.

VI. Hutton (1928:24) said that the origin of the word Kuki is not known “but it first appeared in” Bangal in the Asiatic Researcher Journal Vol. II 1872.

When the nomadic Kukis were driven to the North they walked up on the un-administered and narrow sandwiched areas of Tripura, Manipur and Cachar. They were often used as porters’ labours and thus were known as Coolies so Kuki is corrupted word of Coolie as found in many articles.

VI. (a) The Kukis in Cachar and Bangal.
The Kukis are all immigrant from the South and forms by inhabiting the hills South of Cachar, from which they were driven northward by the more powerful people from the unexplored country between British territory and Burma.

VII. In 1867 the number of....Colonies had risen to 1967. In 1867 the number of 500 new immigrants had come from Manipur. The establishment of Naga Hill Districts, deprived this colonizing scheme.

8. Hebrew or Mongoloid group and brother of Meitei.
With all the stories cited above Kukis who migrated from the far South in Asia during the middle of 19 century claiming themselves as Loss Tribe of Hebrews the ancient and one of the most civilized race of the world. They are Semitic, white/light skin handsome, tall and beautiful and most intelligent people, Kukis also claim themselves as elder brother of Meitei, Kukis never knew what script is. Is the Hebrew script also same script of Kuki. They have no difference between right and wrong.

9. Aim and objective of Kukis.
The Kukis have a big aim and endless objectives:-
(a) Aim is to live in Manipur disguised as indigenous people of Manipur by any means fair or foul, even if they will never be able to prove” it. During this critical time they have to occupy all the possible land and make complete demographic change, physical occupation which will come in their favour. They are already more than halfway through.

(b) Objective is to create a Kuki Homeland and Kuki State for further and further expansion. They have boldly demanded 71% of Manipur as their homeland without any objection from any organization or by anyone showing their gratefulness for giving them shelter and showing generosity as un-communal faithful subordinate friends for Kukis grand objective. It is only the Federation of Haomee, International Meitei Forum and few organizations and intellectuals who had been objecting Kukis demands. They are ready to sacrifice or do anything to stop such demand. If GOI, continue the “Divide and Rule Policy Appeasement and Delaying Tactics”, then only the ethnic clash will decide the issue.

(c) Ingredients to Demand Home state. There are two (2) important ingredients for demanding Homeland/State within the concept of human rights declaration and meaning of Human Rights. Firstly the race or tribes should be indigenous people living and settling contiguously in a reasonably big areas and had been fighting and sacrificing for their cause. This is the reason that the immigrant Kukis have been manufacturing all kinds of concocted stories boldly and blatantly to make the people believe that Kukis are indigenous people of Manipur. After the down fall of Manipur kingdom and after seven years of devastation, the coming of Kukis will bring loss of identity of indigenous people. It will be discussed in the subsequent paragraphs.

10. History of kukis written by Kuki themselves.
All the concocted, manufactured stories with various kinds of forgery of historical, records and documents with the intention to cheat by the Kuki writers, intellectuals and historians are with the aim and objective of a Kuki homeland /state in Manipur as mentioned above.

11. Review of origin, Triat and Reliability of Kuki.
(a) It is our dedicated appeal to all the people, intellectuals, particularly historian and judges to make a critical analysis of what the Kukis had been doing since the time of their migration in Manipur and the entire N.E. This is the warning to the question of ethnic clash disintegration and balkanization of Manipur, It is not a spark neglected burns the house but it is a wild fire neglected, burn the nation. Please do remember the above Para 10 of one single sentence and keep asking to yourself what is the aim and objective of the Kukis, if they get it what will happen? Who are they? When did they come? How many of them are in Manipur? Are they speaking the truth? Who are indigenous people of Manipur? How and why Meitei and Nagas should know Kukis identity? Etc. We are giving you a ... summary of the true story for your own review and opinion.

(b) During this time when I am in the process to study about the Kukis, I am really lucky to have read “Wild Races of the Eastern frontier of India” by T. H. LEWIN and another book “Notes on the THADOU KUKIS” by William Shaw. No Indian writer will be able to give such ground reality with its stories and authentic reports with all their practical experiences. In the first book part III deals with all tribes known as “sons of the rivers”. They are the Lhoosai or Kukis and Shendoos .....”They are in every respect wilder than the Khyonngtha: they are more purely savage as un-amendable to the lures of civilization..........necessity of their life.

(c) All the three parts quote copiously from the ancient authorities who extensively toured these regions and gained firsthand knowledge of their social life...... the south East Asia. A valuable mine of information....... in search of knowledge of these races.

12. Trait, Betrayal Opportunist, Savagery Nature of Kukis
This summery of what actually happened as illustrated from the narrative given from Page 45to50 of the book “Notes on the Thadou Kukis” by William Shaw will tell you the truth about Kukis. Arrival of Kukis in Manipur

Shitlhous with the Shingsons.....Moved up into the north Cachar hill which was then in the hands of Tularam Senapati Kachari. Another group, Sangnao and Khaochangbung chiefs of Chithous and their adherents moved up along the hills between the Barak River and the Valley of Manipur thus they came to the present Valley Chassad. The next story is sepoy mutiny where Kuki proved themselves as traitors, betrayal, opportunists and anti Indians and servants of the Sirkar (British) There are unforgettable shocking stories of Kuki savagery nature and killing of Indian freedom fighters after betrayal.

(a) Sepoy Mutiny and Kuki Traitors.
It is pertinent to mention few of the stories which Kuki-nomadic tribe claim as their contribution to Indian freedom fighting; whereas it was stories of Kuki traitors, marauders, opportunist, and their diabolical triats giving deadly blows to the to the indigenous people of the entire North East India from those days till to-day. The Indian troops in Sylhet and Silcher mutinied and after killing their officers gathered together with the intention of going to Manipur and settling there (after further studies, not mentioned in this book one Manipur Prince Norendrajit (Sana Chahi Ahum) was also with such group of Sepoy mutiny. There were Thadou Kuki levies used by the Cachar Rajah and British against the raids and troubles by Angami Nagas.

Kuki Traitors massacred of Indian Freedom Fighters.
13. Mangjahu Kuki, the traitor killed Indian Mutineers.

(a) The Thadou Kuki Levies/Militia said they would join the mutinies and fight their enemies with them be they even the Englishmen. So the Kukis were allowed to enter the fort in great numbers. Mangjahu Kuki the Chief of Khongdosei Village was the head of this movement and led the Thadou Kuki Sepoys. Instead of helping the Indian Sepoys, they killed them all, and capturing all their arms handed them over to the Sirkar (British) in consequence more arms were supplied by the Sirkar to the Kukis and they were then used in greater number in N.E India. Even in Manipur they were deployed in the present SADAR hill areas, the name brought fraudulently by one Kuki officer during or immediately after British rule.

(b) Kuki opportunist ran away : During Kachari uprising the Kukis ran away and Kuki Levies/Militia disband. The Kukis who were loyal to the British and killed the Indian freedom fighters after treacherously.

(c) Betraying them : There is another shameful story on Page 148 of the History of the North East frontier by Alexander Mackenzei he said... “but I noticed that the Thadou historians do not seem to know of the reasons for the abandonment of this Militia, or should I say that they prefer not to remember it” Page 46 notes on the Thadou Kukis”

By:- William Shaw
The story goes like this “Sambhudhan, the leader of their insane and murderous revolt had not been arrested .......hence our police are practically helpless when following up offenders whom the people desire to serene.

II. In the chief commissioner’s opinion no people came worse out of this affair than the so called Kukis Militia. They gave no information before hand of the probability of a Cachar rising and they were found of no use after it hunting down the fugitives or collecting evidence against them. They were first to run away at Gunjoug , and the only kookie sentry there was at Maibong also ran away they were accordingly disbanded by the order of the chief commissioner... This is story which the Kuki historians prefer not to remember it. However the Kukis manufactured a proud History of “Kukis war of Independence 1817-1919” in Manipur as contribution of Indian Independence.

14. Nchlam Kuki chief of Chahsat group
The Kukis who came up along the hills between the Barak river and the valley of Manipur were similarly used by the Raja of Manipur placing them among the Kacha Nagas, and those on the east were used as a barrier against the Burmese. When Nehlam Kuki chief of the Chahsat went to pay his respect to the Rajah he was well received. After the reception Nehlam chief went to the political agent and did likewise. The Raja hearing of this become much enraged and sent for Nehlam chief. When he was produced he was murdered as the Manipuris thought he would become a follower of the “British and not do what the Manupuris wanted done”. This means that the nomadic Kuki immigrants cannot have two masters and cannot play diplomacy in the Raja’s independent Kingdom. The Rajah knew that Nehlam Kuki will play the role of double agent and will take opportunity from both and create problems at opportune time for their selfish ends.

15. Soya Kuki Chief of Songohal Village
A great warrior with a powerful following established himself at the present site of Laibong Village of Charachadpur Sub-Division of Manipur state. When the Raja heard of this he sent for Soya who appeared presenting a gong to the Raja but he was put to death because of his independence. The prudent Raja visualized the danger of such nomadic immigrant Kuki leader and his intention to grab land.

16. Thungkhopao Chief of Laikot :
Village on hearing of the above he took all the Chahsat group with Soya followings over to the Raja of Alva(ec.Ava-Burma) and requested that revenge may be taken for such deed against the Raja of Manipur. The Raja Alva said he would do so in three years time and permitted Thungkhopao to take up his residence in the hills on the west of Alva. During this time Tungkhopao killed some people of the Raja of Alva’s hill tribes and was sent for to answer for the deed. Tungkhopao feigned illness and was persuaded by the Shitlous to submit to the raja of the Manipur who had the British to help them for safety sake. This illustrate general trait of opportunist Kuki right from the time of their migration in Manipur. Now Kukis are demanding Kuki Homeland in the migrated foreign country, Manipur.

(a) And so Tungkhopao and Chahsat group came back and were allowed to reside in the hills to the west of the valley. This was in Sana Koireng’s time.

(b) This was the help of Sana Koireng (Tikendrajit) that the Kukis again were allowed to reside in Manipur. Surprisingly Kukis did not help Tikendrajit and did not give shelter at chasat after he was defeated by British (c) In return the chief of Chassad, Tongilu (Tonglhu) said that he was seriously thinking for his father Nehlam who was murdered by Raja Chandrakirti and thus, even think of revenge and did not give protection to Sana Koireng (Tikendrajit). Kukis knew that the Manipuris have no chance of winning the war so they need not and will not help the Manipuries. (Page 49) Notes on Thadou Kukis W. Shaw.

17. Manipur prince Narendrajit and sepoy Mutiny mentioned above.
(a) These Mutinies were not Indian troops of sylhet and Cachar but the 3 companies of the 34th Bengal Notive Infantry (NI) from Chittagong, who had reached Sylhet and Cachar through Tippera, (History of Assam, Ch XVII), who says that the ...... heading for Manipur were repeatedly attacked by the regular troops and by Kuki scouts, and that ultimately only three or four escaped deaths or capture (Ed) connecting and reviewing some untold but true story of Manipur is concerned... “Taken advantage of the arrival of the mutineers by some of the Manipur chief in Cachar and several joined them with a view of getting their aids in over throwing Manipur government under British protection. Among them was Narendraqjit or Sana Chahi-Ahum” (three years in his mother’s womb), a younger son of Maharaj Chourajit Singh fought for the mutinies. It is said that this Prince have strongly developed long arms, even his fingers reaching down below his knees. Some of his dresses which illustrate the mighty size of his physique is still kept in reserve by his descendents. However the prince was made prisoner after he received a gunshot injury and handed over to the British officers; he was eventually transported (E.W.D 1987,47)...It is supposed that nearly if not all the mutinies were killed captured or perished miserably in the jungles of the Manipur and Kuki hills chin by the Kuki.

(b) The above was an epoch when the opportunist, wandering immigrant Kukis; intruding in all the unadministered, border areas of sovereign principalities had to show their loyalty to the protector British for their survival. Perforce they had to be loyal and obedient to their powerful masters, albeit their mentality, nature were dominated by wild barbaric opportune and selfish nature. The two words loyal and opportunist do not club together, inspite of that for the Kukis in that era, they can be called selfish, opportunist loyal Kukis.

(c) The above epoch making period under review came to an end when Chingakham Sanajaoba and Manipuri Lambus told them that the British power was on the wane and soon disappearing. Some of the Kukis had seen the world when they went to France as labours of the British labour corps. They were convinced that the earth is not quite as small as they held it to be previously. However these are minority.

(d) Now, the Kukis realized that a wandering, immigrants life is not a life of civilized human beings and so their leader P.S. Haokip is crying, as Kuki do not have even an enclave either in Myanmar or India. Mr P.S. Haokip president KNO. After writing all the fabricated stories about the Kukis as if their empire was more than half of the South East Asia; in the end of chapter-Ill of Eastern Zalin-eam (Burma) brazenly he lamented with the following word “an autonomous enclave for the Kukis is warranted a hundred times over, both in India as well as in Burma, but such a concept has been (elusive) in both the countries” It is quite clear that Kukis will never have peace, they will never have sense of security, they will never be free from harassment until they have their own land, their own nation state whether it be within India, within Burma or without. The area and location of this “nation state” is already demarcated by history.

Page 22-23 of “Zalin-Gam The Kuki Nation” By:- P.S. Haokip.
Can Haomee suggest to the GOI if they can give some Homeland of Kukis in the big states, Bihar, Punjab and Haryana? Or they may be asked to go to Israel if they are Loss Tribe of Hebrews.

18. In spite of all the confrontation between the indigenous people Haomee (united Yek Salai of Nagas and Meitei) and the new immigrant Kukis; it is sincere advice and warning of Meitei and Nagas that Kukis should learn to live as loyal subject of Manipur respecting the cut off year as 1951.Something is better than nothing.

19. If G.O.I. and Government of Manipur cannot stop the influx of these foreigner Kukis it is nothing but encouraging ethnic clash. Definitely there is no one in Manipur government to convince G.O.I about these most dangerous problems. Let the Kukis make all the concocted stories. All the old, one time independent state/principalities of Tripura Dimasha/Cachar Ahom/Assam, Khasi, Garo and Manipur know the immigrant Kukis and also know well about the Kukis and the time of their arrival from the South. The part of the stories had already been mentioned above. Now it is mandatory for the Haomee to contact all these neighboring state and get the true stories of the Kukis and send it to the government of India and United Nations organization. GOI should not take this issue lightly since India may lose the whole NE and may happily go and join some powerful country and merge in that group of Mangoloid people. In that case we also never knew if GOI will rather prefer it and be glad, as once Jawahalal Nehru said good bye to the people of N.E during the Chinese aggression in the year 1962.

20. Influx of Kukis and demographic change.
One Mr. Lein Gangte published in Imphal free Press in September 2015 demand clarification in his rejoinder he stated “During the reign of Maharaj Budhachandra Manipur Darbar recorded 250 Kuki Villages in the year 1946-47” RK Rajendra happily endorsed his statement that it was inclusive of 174 Villages in Churachandpur as declared by Maharaj Bodhachandra on 18 oct 1948 in Manipur Darbar. If we deduct these 174 Kuki Villages of the then Villages of Sadar circle No. 3 of Churachandpur there were only 76 Kuki Villages in other parts of Manipur during and up to the reign of Maharaj Joi Singh (Chingtham Khomba) (1759-1761) (1763-1798) there were hardly to 10 Khongjai Villages in the border areas of Manipur that too mostly disputed unadministered areas between Manipur and Burma. Khongjai’s were never known as Kukis in earlier Manipur. Though they were of the same variety of similar mongoloid tribe they were not Thadou Kukis the new name given by the British. Now there are more than 3000 Villages of Kukis in Manipur.

21. The Kuki Rebellion, of 1917-1919 may rightfully be called as “Kuki traitor’s rebellion against the King of Manipur” or “Kuki Rebellion against Maharaj Churachand and the people of Manipur -1917-1919” Historians remember that Kutingthang Chief of Jhanphei declared himself as King (Maharajah) of Manipur during Kuki Rebellion. He was not exiled but released after few years. However, Chingakham Sanjaoba was exiled for life.

Conclusion:
All the people of the present generation in Manipur, the Meiteis, Nagas, the Yek Salai-cha and Haomees do not know their own identity and the history of their own people and their own land. Still the government of Manipur and Ministry of Education never thinks of learning the history of Manipur.

Forgery of Historical Records.

(a) History is the most important document of the people and the nation. It is the proclamation of the continuous accurate records of evidence and events of the past and present. The events of documents and records of to-day will be the history of tomorrow. Now due to the emergence of the unbelievable dangerous situation, it is obligatory and unavoidable for the brave patriots of Manipur to disclose and point out and expose the willful concealment of material facts by some immigrant Kuki conspirators disguised as Indigenous people of Manipur. All that they have written fraudulent, making, or altercation of writings and records with intent to prejudice the rights of other Indigenous people.

Legal Action required
(b) It is most ridiculous that whenever we give the correct answer and the truth to the Kuki immigrants against their misleading, deceitful writings and rejoinders they never reply or answer the questions, but they intentionally give and reproduce the same fabricated story after a few months or even years without any remorse. It is clear that only serious legal and punitive action by the government will set them right. However, will this government do that? What we, indigenous people Meitei and Nagas will do even after we know that we are descendants of the same ancestors.

 

By :
Lt. Col. (Retd.) R.K. Rajendra Singh

Published By. Federation of Haomee, Manipur.

Consulting to Indian States, Assam, Manipur, Arunachal for Indo-Naga Peace talk is deceive to the World not only to Naga

Consulting to Indian States, Assam, Manipur, Arunachal for Indo-Naga Peace talk is deceive to the World not only to Nagas.!

(23/06/2018)

-The talks are between the Government of India and the Nagas, NSCN IM

The seven (7) Northeast state of India (eastern Asia), was never part of India. no Indian ruler is known in the history who rule this place. More than 200 ethnic groups or tribes living here, among them Nagas are the first nation that on 14th august 1947 openly declared their independence out of the Indian domain.

India must understand that struggling more than 70 plus years and sacrifice more than 4 lakh Nagas that comprises less than about 2 million people for independence Nagalim was great sacrificed and enough to prove that Nagas will not surrender the political rights of the Nagas. The heroic struggle of the Nagas resistance enjoys popular support from the world. It indicates that India will not be able to crush the zeal for freedom of the Naga People.

From Gandhi to notorious Nehru to Modi through their fake commitments, agreements, truces, ceasefire…etc repeatedly deceived the Nagas. It would only block our struggle temporarily, not permanently. India has been applied all their notorious evil techniques, except nuclear bomb, to crush the Nagas but failed. This means it unveils the fact that India will have to leave Nagalim today or tomorrow.

To integrate Nagas Inhabited areas which were divided arbitrarily by the British-India, India tries to set a thief to catch a thief. Our leaders should comprehend the Indian game plan. also, the state of Manipur, Assam, Arunachal should stand against their common foes (Indian), knowing the historical background setting aside their petty interest if they stick the peace, development in the region. They should narrow down their differences including territorial disputes as Nagas didn’t demand other lands.

Nagas should not trust the Indian leadership and bureaucrats, they made so many commitments, signed on many agreements and accords, held so many dialogues, observed hundred of a ceasefire but all those bring fail to bring any changes. All these are tools of bluffing the people of the Nagas.

Nagas should also cling to our original demand of holding a plebiscite in Naga land that Nagas voluntarily held in Nagaland in the 40s to disprove the Indian constitution.

Historical evidence says, Indian leaders in their words are very generous but they are equally dishonest in deeds and practices.

Let the international community wait and see how the honeymoon of dialogue & ceasefire of Indo-Naga peace ends!

Pictures - Global Nagas Mass Rally in New Delhi

The Significance of Martyrs’ Day – 27th August 1948: UNC

 

                                    The Significance of Martyrs’ Day – 27th August 1948: A Narrative

Before the advent of the British into the Naga Country, the Nagas lived in Village republics and were free from any external interference and domination. With the coming of the British, boundaries were redrawn arbitrarily to suit their administrative convenience and also to keep the allies of the British in good humor. As a consequence, the Naga territories were placed in the different states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Nagaland in India and some part in Burma.

During the First World War in 1914-1918, Nagas rendered their service in the Labor Corps of the British force and went to France as British subjects. This journey across the land and seas fostered the concept of Naga Nationalism. In 1918, the Naga Club was formed by the union of educated Nagas, and the foundation of future Naga Politics was thus laid.

Naga politics and the fight for their rights, land, and people.

1) The Naga Club submitted a memorandum to the Simon Commission at Kohima on 10 January in 1929 demanding in clear terms that the Nagas should be left alone as before when the British leave India.

2) In 1930-32, the “Naga Raj” movement was launched by Haipou Jadonang, a Zeliangrong Naga and Rani-Gaidinliu, his cousin sister in the then Tamenglong sub-division to free the people from the yoke of the colonial rule. The former was hanged by the British on 29th August 1931 at Imphal Central jail and subsequently, Rani Gaidinliu was arrested and jailed.

3) The Nagas of Manipur were independent of the Manipur Raja before the advent of the British. Even after the British came, they were administered by the political department of the British Crown. The Manipur Raja and his Darbar administered only the valley area till 15th August 1947.

4) As the departure of the British became imminent, Naga leaders, both in Manipur and in the then Naga Hills District of Assam began to seriously ponder over their political future. Thus the Naga National Council (NNC) was formed by the Naga people in February 1946 to fight for their rights, land, and people.

5) On the other hand, in September 1946, the Naga National League (NNL) was organized to consolidate the Nagas of Manipur in order to bring together the Naga people separated by colonial boundaries. The members of the Working Committee of the NNL were as follows –

1. Athikho Daiho : President 4. Hepuni Prajii : Vice-Secretary
2. Ng. Thaiso : Vice-President 5. Kapani Kashiprii : Treasurer
3. N. Modoli : Secretary 6. Kholi Puni : Assistant Treasurer

6) In the same year (1946), the Government of British India proposed the creation of a North Eastern Frontier Province including Manipur, Tripura, and Assam. Hijam Irabot, the Meitei leader, quickly formed an organizing committee with himself as the Chairman and opposed the creation of the North Eastern Frontier Province and instead demanded a Legislative Assembly for Manipur for which a memorandum was submitted to the Governor-General of India.

7) To the dismay of the Nagas, against their wishes to live together with their brethren of the Naga Hills of the then Assam, the Government of India decided to grant a Legislative Assembly in Manipur. At this juncture, Mr. F. F. Pearson, President, Manipur State Darbar hurriedly constituted the Manipur State Constitution and the Manipur State Hill Peoples (Administration) Regulation Drafting Committee to work out an interim administrative arrangement for Manipur before the lapse of the British Paramountcy.

Mr. A. Daiho and Mr. Tiankham, representatives of hill tribes in the Committee pointed out that the draft constitution should incorporate the following clause - “the principle of equality and freedom as applied to all without distinction of caste, creed, and race shall include the right of any section of hill people to secede at the end of five years period should the condition within the constitution not be satisfactory”. Mr. A. Daiho and Mr. Tiankham made it clear that if the clause was not incorporated they would not be a party to the constitution. When the draft Constitution was submitted to the Maharaja of Manipur on 15/5/47, Mr. F. F. Pearson, Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, drew the particular and personal attention of the Maharaja to the dissension of the representatives of the hill tribes.

8) Shortly after, in June 1947, the 9 Point Agreement was signed between the NNC and Sir Hydari, the Governor of Assam. Clause 6 of the Agreement, provided for the integration of the contiguous Naga areas into one administrative unit, and Clause 9 provided for the right to determine their political future after an interim period of 10(ten) years. The Government reneged on the terms of the agreement.

9) A Naga delegation met Gandhiji on 19 July 1947 at Bhangi Colony, New Delhi, and told him of their resolve to declare their independence. Gandhiji told the delegation that “Nagas have every right to be independent. We did not want to live under the domination of the British and they are now leaving us. I want you to feel that India is yours. But if you say that they are not mine, the matter must stop there. I believe in the brotherhood of man, but I do not believe in force or forced unions. If you do not wish to join the Union of India, nobody will force you to do that”. When his attention was drawn to the threat posed by Sir Akbar Hydari to use force against the Nagas if they refused to join the Union of India, Gandhiji exclaimed! “Sir Akbar Hydari is wrong. He can not do that I will come to the Naga Hills; I will ask them to shoot me first before one Naga is shot”. Assured by Gandhiji’s words, the Nagas declared their Independence on 14th August 1947, one day earlier to the Indian Independence day.

10) After 15th August 1947, when the paramountcy was transferred to the Maharaja of Manipur without the consent of the hill people, the NNL stated the Nagas of Manipur will not remain with the Meiteis since the latter had never conquered the Nagas and declared that it would be impossible for the Nagas to preserve the best of their culture, tradition, customary laws and political practices should the Naga people and their land be split up and placed under different influence and politics. The NNL expressed their strong desire to merge with the Naga Hills District of Assam through the BOYCOTT of the preparation of electoral rolls in Naga areas.

11) The President of the NNC wrote in his letter dated 26th August 1947 to the Maharaja of Manipur that the “right of secession “(from Manipur) demanded by the hillmen at the end of five years should be accepted for paving the way for goodwill between the hills and the valley and also the State and the NNC as a whole.

12) In the memorandum dated 24/1/48 addressed to Sardar Patel, Deputy Prime Minister of India, the NNL along with Naga chiefs and headmen stated that the Nagas of Manipur will accept nothing short of consolidation of contiguous Naga areas under one administrative unit by the Government through the immediate provincial authority.

11) Shortly after, another Memorandum dated 9/3/48 was submitted by the President NNL to the Ministry of States, Government of India stating that since no response to the persistent submissions made to the successive Governors of Assam and Government of India had been forthcoming and also because of the innumerable tactics of the Manipur State Government to suppress the rightful demand of the Nagas and other hillmen, a no-tax campaign would be launched and they would desist payment of revenue to Manipur State but pay the same to any such authority as may be determined by the Provincial Government acting on behalf of the Central Government.

12) In spite of the democratic demand for consolidation of contiguous Naga areas under one administrative unit and the explicit opposition to the Manipur State Draft Constitution by the tribe representatives, the General Election under the Manipur State Constitution Act 1947 was held in June 1948. The Nagas boycotted the election.

13) The “NO TAX CAMPAIGN” 1948: A landmark in the history of the political movement of the Nagas of Manipur. Thus the “NO TAX CAMPAIGN” was launched when Maharaj Kumar Priyobrata Singh was the Chief Minister of Manipur. The Nagas in Manipur refused to pay the annual House Tax to the Government of Manipur and under the aegis of the NNL submitted their annual house tax to Charles Pawsey, D.C. of Naga Hills of Assam at Kohima.

It was an act of defiance against the Authority of the State, under which the Nagas of Manipur had been placed without their consent. It was also a means of putting pressure on the Indian Government for securing the merger of the Nagas in Manipur with the Naga Hills District.

“27th August 1948 “MARTYRS’ DAY”: The Manipur Maharaja, Budh Chandra was in good terms with Sir Akbar Hydari, the then Governor of Assam, who was requested by the Maharaja to send a contingent of Assam Rifles to arrest Mr. A.Daiho. Sir Akbar Hydari, well known for his anti-Naga political stand, gladly approved and dispatched a contingent of 4th Assam Rifles along with State Police equipped with rifles and machine guns, to Mao Gate on 27th August 1948. The Assam Rifles took a position in and around Mao Inspection Bungalow in warlike fashion and indiscriminately fired at the volunteers/ students of the Mao-Maram Tribal Council (now Mao, Maram, Poumai, Thangal, and Upper Zeliang) who were blocking the road leading to the residence of Mr. A. Daiho.

In the firing, the followings were shot dead/grievously wounded by the Assam Rifles:
Name Village Status
1. Mr. Asiisii Hepuni Punanamei Volunteer (shot dead on the spot)
2. Mr. Mahriili Lohrii Kalinamei Student (shot dead on the spot)
3. Mr. Modo Kholi Kalinamei Student (shot dead on the spot)
4. Mr. Daikho Hesho Chowainamai Khullen Volunteer (succumbed to injuries)
5. Mr. Obow Adani Punanamei Volunteer (succumbed to injuries)
6. Mr. Kaisii Mathibo Punanamei Volunteer (expired 12th Aug 2013)
7. Mr. Obow Ashiho Punanamei Student (still alive)

Many other males and female volunteers and students received injuries from bullets, rifle butts, and boots of the Assam Rifles and Manipur Police on that day.

The indiscriminate firings and use of violent force dispersed the demonstrators and the two leaders viz. Mr. A. Daiho of Song Song village and Mr. N. Modoli of Tunggam village along with Mr. Kaikho Dili of Tadubi and Mr. Athikho Sibo of Song Song were finally arrested.

All the dead bodies, injured persons, and arrested leaders have herded away to Imphal in the Assam Rifles convoy. The Naga brethren from the neighboring Naga Hills district, who had come to show their solidarity with the Nagas of Manipur, followed the convoy till Kangpokpi.

After being kept at Imphal Central Jail, Mr. A. Daiho and Mr. N. Modoli were shifted to Dum Dum Central Jail as political prisoners.

14) Though the campaign was forcibly suppressed the seeds of political aspiration sown during that critical time never died. Having realized the futility of the non-violent movement to secure their inalienable right to live together with the rest of the Naga people, the Nagas of Manipur took to arms and became a part of the mainstream armed movement spearheaded by the NNC.

The armed conflict that followed saw the signing of the first Indo-Naga Cease-fire which came into effect from Sept. 6th, 1964, and lasted till 1967. It was operational in the entire Naga inhabited areas of the northeast region. The 1st Cease-Fire period saw 6 rounds of talks between the Nagas and the Government of India (GoI) which could not proceed with concrete progress due to lack of political vision and will of the latter.

Thus an armed conflict between India and the Nagas continued over the decades and has finally culminated in the second Indo-Naga Peace Process marked by the second Indo-Naga Cease-fire that came into effect on 1 August 1997, which today offers to bring about a lasting and honorable solution to the Naga issue based on the recognition of the unique history and situation of the Nagas.

15) The inherent and organized expression of the desire of the Naga people to live together also continued as a civil movement of which the United Naga Integration Council movement of the 1970s has been well documented. On 4th Aug.1972, in the joint agreement signed between All India Congress Committee and Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee on one side and United Naga Integration Council on the other side, the Congress Party stated that it does not oppose Naga integration movement nor considers the Naga integration movement as an anti-party, anti-national, anti-state or unconstitutional activity. The demand of the Naga people for the integration of the contiguous Naga areas into one administrative unit also finds clear mention in the 16 Point Agreement of 1960.

16) Over the years public declarations have been made and memorandum demanding Naga integration has been persistently submitted and pursued by the Naga people.

On 11th & 12th March 1999, the Naga Hoho, the apex tribe based organization of all Nagas, during its 6th Session at Dimapur passed the resolution on Naga Integration as follows – “The Naga Hoho put it on record that it stands committed for the integration of all Naga territories and its people under One Political roof, and also it considers the present Nagaland state as a temporary measure Pending Final political settlement of the Naga peoples aspiration which shall be a bounden duty of the Naga Hoho to strive for.”

On 8th and 9th August 2001 the first Naga Peoples’ Convention (NPC), the apex decision-making platform of the Nagas of Manipur was held at Tahamzam (Senapati) and declared “…that our identity and history have to be defended and preserved at all cost, and the firm political stand of the Nagas of Manipur is to uphold the resolution of the Naga people for the integration of all Naga areas under one administration”.

The 2nd NPC was convened on the 4th of November 2005 at Tahamzam which reiterated the 8-9 August, 2001 Declaration, and to further the realization of the declaration, the NPC also declared the Launching of Non-cooperation and Civil disobedience movements against the Government of Manipur.

In the subsequent “Declaration and Memorandum” submitted to the Prime Minister of India on December 15, 2005, at New Delhi, the Chiefs/Chairmen/Headmen of Naga villages in the present state of Manipur stated in no uncertain terms “…that any honorable solution to the Naga peace process must begin with the unification of the Naga areas.”

The 3rd NPC of the Nagas in Manipur was convened on 1st July 2010 at Tahamzam in the wake of the imposition of ADC Act, 2008 (3rd amendment), and election thereof, the ban on entry of Th. Muivah, the Naga negotiator to his native place and indiscriminate firings yet again by Manipur state forces at Mao Gate of 6th May 2010 in which 2 students, Mr. Dikho Loshou and Mr. Neli Chakho were shot dead and hundreds injured.

The 3rd NPC established the position of the Nagas on the basis of the unmistakable facts that it is impossible to protect their right to life, land, time-honored institutions, customary practice, and values under the administration of the dominant and communal Government of Manipur (GoM), and that their history with it, has clearly confirmed the harsh reality that the GoM has never recognized and respected the identity and dignity of the Naga people. It was declared the Nagas will sever all political ties with the communal Government of Manipur and because of the severance of ties; the vacuum in governance and administration created thereby must be filled with an alternative arrangement by the Government of India in consultation with the Naga people at the earliest possible time.

Consequent to this declaration and submission of the demand to the GoI, the latter initiated the democratic process of dialogue at the tripartite level of the GoM, GoI and the Nagas of Manipur under the aegis of the UNC on the demand for an alternative arrangement outside the communal GoM pending settlement of the Indo-Naga issue and it has logically progressed to a stage where a high powered committee would be set up by the GoI to translate the demand into a political reality.

Thus, in the political movement of the Naga people, particularly in Manipur, the issue that was brought to a crisis on the awesome day of 27th August 1948 has great significance. It consolidated the political consciousness of the Nagas in Manipur and provided a firm foundation for the peoples’ movement for the protection of their history, their land, their identity, their traditional institutions and culture, and most importantly for their collective and undivided future as a people.

While we observe this day in respectful memory and honor of those who suffered and made the ultimate sacrifice for the integration of all Nagas sixty six years ago during the No-Tax campaign, the Mao Students’ Union had perpetuated this day in memory by observing it as “The Martyrs’ Day”. Being a landmark in the history of the political movement of the Nagas in Manipur in particular and all Nagas in general, the observation of “Martyrs’ Day” was taken up by the UNC with the Mao Council as the Local Organizing Committee since 27th August 2005.

May this day of our collective remembrance of those who gave their lives, blood, and tears on 27th August 1948 strengthen the resolve, the sense of direction and unity of purpose of the Nagas to live together as a people with dignity and honor.

Publicity Wing
United Naga Council

**

In the first week of December 1946, thirty-three delegates from Ukhrul district attended the Mao Conference.

A. Daiho and R. Suisa spoke on Self-rule.

In 1947 March, R. Suisa and four other leaders organized meeting at Somrah.

On 29th August 1947, leaders from the Hills organized meeting at Tamenglong Headquarter.

On September 24, 1946, Tangkhul leaders had met at Hunphun Leingapha and formed a subcommittee for New Political Movement to bring the Nagas under an administration. Twenty leaders were appointed and there was a subscription of 8 annas (50 paise) from every household from 133 Tangkhul villages, 12 Somrah villages, and also Kuki villages in the district.

Manipur Naga Council was organized in the 50s. Lok Sabha member from 1957-62, R. Suisa mentioned Manipur Naga Council in his speech at the Parliament saying, " We have got our own MNC. How do you expect the Nagas to be happy when these Nagas are in Burma, some are in this new unit Naga area and some in NEFA, and some North Cachar Hills and some in Manipur? Can you expect the Nagas to be happy whereas all other different elements of the Indian Union have been grouped together according to their own communities so far as geographical position permits? So we have to see all these problems..why should they fight and why should they protest?" ( At that time, there was no Nagaland state. It was a district of Assam, under the Ministry of External Affairs. Manipur was a Union Territory).

Just before the Nagaland statehood was announced, five leaders of MNC and MP, R.Suisa were arrested and imprisoned for nearly a year in 1962 at Dum Dum Central Jail, Calcutta. They were: 1. Angnal Anal, President 2. T. Luikham 3. Z. Ramyo, Gen. Secy. 4. L. David 5. Z.V. Mingkathing, Vice Secy.

In 1964, MNC was merged with Naga National Council. R. Suisa became Assistant to Vice President, NNC.