Nagas are not Indian, says Prof A Lanu Ao
Source: The Sangai Express

Sadar Hills, August 09 2016: "Nagas are neither Indian nor Burmese and neither the territory of the Nagas was or is ever a part of Indian territories," asserted Prof A Lanu Ao, Dept of Sociology, Nagaland University.

Prof A Lanu Ao was speaking as a resource person during the observation of In- ternational Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples today at Thangal General Memorial Ecological Park, Senapati.

Jointly organized by United Naga Council, Naga Women's Union, Naga Peo- ples' Movement for Human Rights (South) and All Naga Students' Association, Manipur under the theme, "Indigenous Peoples' Right to Education", Senapati today observed and celebrated the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples.

The Nagaland University Professor asserted that the Nagas are not Indians by re- ligion, history and culture.

He said that the land of the Nagas is threatened while they have been forcefully marginalized.

"Every Naga living in Manipur, Arunachal, Assam and within the so called Nagaland must say that they are one while having one cause, one story and a com- mon culture, identity and they should come forward to fight for the indigenous Naga peo- ples' rights", the Professor added.

He further said that the Nagas are living in their own land and the resources are in- herited from their great ancestors not from others and nobody can challenge the rights of the Nagas.

UNC president Gaidon Kamei stated "apart from many other languages Hindi and Meetei Mayek are made compulsory subjects while many of our local languages have not reached the class- room.

We are taught the history of civilization and empire from other parts of Indian sub-continent but how much of our history is taught to the young students.

"I am not saying that learn- ing languages and history of others is necessarily bad but the fact that our own lan- guages and history are ig- nored is indicative of the discrimination and marginalization of our peo- ple," the UNC president said.

The event was participated by various Nagas civil bodies including tribes Hohos, con- stituents units of UNC, NWU, ANSAM, South East Asia Ho Hoi Social and Cul- ture Centre, apart from Advocate LB Namo, member of Concerned Senior Citizen Forum (CSCF), Mokokchung, Nagaland and Temjen Tzudur, member CSCF as well as other Naga leaders.

Presentation of cultural items, folk songs and lighting of sacred fire apart from serv- ing indigenous food after the event marked the occasion.

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