Rich tributes paid to Naga martyrs
Source: Chronicle News Service
Senapati, August 27 2024:
Rich tributes were paid to Naga martyrs on the occasion of 76th Naga Martyrs Day observance held at Mao Gate in Senapati district on Tuesday by different Naga CSOs.
In honour of martyrs of the Mao Gate incident of August 27, 1948, wreaths were laid at the monolith at Mao Gate by leaders of Naga Hoho, United Naga Council, Naga Students' Federation, Naga Mothers' Association, Naga Women's Union, All Naga Students' Association, Manipur, Naga People's Movement for Human Rights (South), Tenyime People's Organisation, Naga People Organisation, Senapati District Students' Association, Senapati District Women's Association, Mao Council, Mao National Workers, Mao Students' Union, Mao Naga Women's Welfare Association, Kalinamei Village Authority and Punanamei Village Authority.
In the main programme held at Punanamei community hall, Mao Council president N Athikho delivered the key note address, reflecting on the firing incident that happened 76 years ago.
He said that Nagas of Manipur were independent before the arrival of British as Nagas were not under any government at that time.
Even after the British arrived, Naga areas were administered by the political department of the British Crown, he stated.
According to N Athikho, the Naga National League was formed in February 1946 to organise and unite Nagas of Manipur with other Nagas who were separated by the colonial boundary.
After August 15, 1947 when the supremacy was transferred to the Maharaja of Manipur without the consent of Naga people, the Naga National League then made it clear that the Nagas of Manipur would not remain under the Meetei king.
The League even declared that it would be impossible for the Nagas to preserve the best of their culture, tradition, customary law and political practices if the Naga people and their land were divided and placed under different power and politics.
The Naga National League leaders expressed their strong desire to merge with the Naga Hills District of Assam.
As a result of this, preparations for electoral rolls in Naga areas as well as election to the first legislative assembly of Manipur were boycotted by the Nagas of Manipur.
Thereafter, a 'No tax campaign' was launched by the Naga National League when Maharaj Kumar Priyobrata Singh was the chief minister.
The campaign was spearheaded by the then Naga National League president A Daiho Mao and general secretary N Modoli Poumai.
Reishang Keishing of Tangkhul, Mathiuhom of Zeliangrong, Kaikhangam of Zeliangrong, Ng Mono of Monsang and other leaders were present in the campaign.
Thus, the Nagas of Manipur under the aegis of Naga National league refused to pay annual House Tax to the Government of Manipur and instead submitted the same (annual house tax) to DC (Charles Pawsey) of Naga Hills of Assam at Kohima.
Consequent upon which, the Naga National League president A Dhiho and general secretary N Modoli and other leaders were arrested by the combined force of Manipur Police and Assam Rifles.
People protesting against the arrest of their leaders were indiscriminately fired by Assam Rifles thereby killing three people on the spot and four others received grievous bullet injuries on August 27, 1948, N Athikho recalled, while adding that many volunteers and students were injured due to excessive action of Assam Rifles and Manipur Police on that day.
In his solidarity message, UNC president Ng Lorho stated that three martyrs sacrificed their lives for the cause of the Naga people 76 years ago and their supreme sacrifice is remembered till date.
He also said that the long-awaited Indo-Naga political settlement based on Framework Agreement will come to pass as soon as possible and urged the Government of India to show their political will and commitment.
The UNC president further urged Nagas to work together to build a future that is hopeful and honourable.
A one-minute silent prayer was also held in honour of the martyrs while Padmashree Guru Reuben Mashangva presented a song during the programme.
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