Rich tribute paid to Naga martyrs of 'No Tax Campaign'
Source: Chronicle News Service
Senapati, August 28 2022:
Under the aegis of United Naga Council (UNC), Mao Council observed the 74th anniversary of 'Naga Martyrs' Day' at Mao gate in Senapati district on Saturday.
Naga Martyrs' Day is being observed every year on August 28 since the year 2005 to remember volunteers and students killed by Assam Rifles during the 'No tax campaign' launched in Naga hill areas.
Delivering the key note address on the observance function, Mao Council president Dr Saheni Loli recalled that Nagas in Manipur launched the 'No Tax Campaign' by refusing to pay the annual House Tax to the Government of Manipur.
Under the aegis of Naga National League, Nagas paid their annual House Tax to DC of Naga Hills of Assam Charles Pawsey in Kohima and it was a means of putting pressure on the Government of India for securing the merger of Nagas in Manipur with the Naga Hills district.
It was also an act of defiance against the state under which Nagas of Manipur had been placed without their consent.
The maintained that the then Maharaja of Manipur sent a contingent of Assam Rifles to Mao Gate on August 27, 1948 to arrest NNL president A Daiho.
Assam Rifles took position in and around Mao inspection bungalow and indiscriminately fired at volunteers/students of Mao-Maram Tribal Council (now Mao, Maram, Poumai, Thangal and Upper Zeliang) who were blocking the road leading to the residence of A Daiho.
In the firing incident, three volunteers and students namely Asiisii Hepuni of Punanamei (volunteer), Mahriili Lohrii of Kalinamei (student) and Modoli Kholi of Kalinamei (student) were killed at the spot while two volunteers Daikho Hesho of Chowainamei Khullen and Obow Adani of Punanamei succumbed to injuries later.
Many other male and female volunteers and students suffered bullet injuries in the brutal onslaught of the Assam Rifles and Manipur police and the peaceful demonstrators were dispersed.
Two leaders namely A Daiho of Song Song village and N Modoli of Tunggam village along with Kaikho Dili of Tadubi and Athikho Sibo of Song Song were arrested.
All the bodies, injured and arrested leaders were taken to Imphal by the Assam Rifles convoy.
The Naga brethren from the neighbouring Naga hill districts came to show their solidarity with the Nagas of Manipur and trailed the convoy till Kangpokpi.
Though the campaign was forcibly suppressed, the seeds of political aspiration sown during that critical time never die, he recounted.
United Naga Council president S Kho John reminded the gathering about sacrifices made by Naga leaders for the people and their land 74 years ago and urged the younger generations to follow the footprints of forgone leaders.
He said that the movement came up simultaneously in Nagaland and Manipur.
Regarding the Indo-Naga political issue, the UNC leader said that Government of India cannot escape without bringing an honourable solution to the vexed Indo-Naga political issue.
In his speech, Naga Hoho vice president Samson Rimai said that the 'No tax campaign' was a movement to integrate Naga areas and live under one political roof so that the land and identity of the Naga people could be safeguarded forever for posterity.
ANSAM general secretary AC Thotso lauded the people of Shepoumaramth, who stood up boldly against illegal tax imposed in the Naga hills.
NPO president Solomon Arow, in his speech, said that history could be very resourceful to younger generations on why and how Naga martyrs' day is observed.
Rev A Puni, member, Collective Leadership, NSCN, GPRN gave the update on Indo-Naga Peace talk at the event.
The gathering also offered a one-minute silent prayer to the Naga martyrs at the beginning of the programme.
Members of Naga Hoho, NSF, NMA, UNC, NWU, ANSAM, NPMHR, TPO, NPO, SDSA, SDWA, Mao Council, Mao National workers, MSU, MNWWA and MYO laid wreaths at the monolith of Naga Martyrs' Park, Mao Gate.
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