80th Naga Independence Day celebrated at Senapati
Source: The Sangai Express

Senapati, August 14 2026: The 80th Naga Independence Day was celebrated at Katomei Village Local Ground, Senapati district.

The event was organised by the Senapati District Students Association (SDSA) under the aegis of the All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) .

To mark the day, a Naga Flag March was organised from Mao to Senapati district headquarters.

SDSA president Saloni Tony, United Naga Council (UNC) general secretary Vareiyo Shatsang, Naga Women's Union vice president Lungbila and many other CSO and Church leaders attended the observance.

80th Naga Independence Day celebrated at Senapati

Speaking on the occasion, UNC general secretary Vareiyo Shatsang remembered the sacrifices and courage of the Naga heroes.

"They suffered so that the Naga people could live in freedom.

Their names will remain forever etched in Naga history," Vareiyo said.

He said the Naga hills were neither conquered by military might, nor the people ever consented to be part of any other Nation.

As early as 1929, when the Simon Commission came to India, the Naga Club submitted a memorandum seeking to remain independent.

"That was the voice of the Nagas to the world.

The Nagas did not ask to be included.

They asked to be left alone as a distinct people," Vareiyo said.

When the British left, the Naga National Council, on August 14, 1947, declared independence of the Naga people, one day before India's independence.

But, Indian forces entered and occupied villages, and the people's right to decide their own future was denied, Vareiyo said.

To crush the Naga National movement, the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, AFSPA, was imposed and has since continued to cast a long shadow over its people, their villages, and their dignity, he added.

From 1947 till date, the Naga people have been asking for their political rights to be recognised through dialogue and understanding, he said.

Vareiyo also commented on the Framework Agreement, signed on August 3, 2015 and said it recognised "the unique history and situation of the Nagas." However, eleven years later, the core political issue remains unresolved, he added.

"To protect our land is to protect our identity.

Nationalism is our history.

It is knowing where we came from," Vareiyo said, encouraging youths to honour the legacy of the forefathers, protect Naga culture, land and traditions.

He called for unity among all Naga tribes.

Naga Women's Union vice president urged Nagas to never allow division, fear, or adversity to weaken the bond that unites them.