Contemporary Naga politics under NNL in Manipur area

Puni Modoli *

The Nagas in the early 1940s under the banner of the Naga National Council for Naga Hill areas, Naga National League (NNL) from Manipur areas and Homking government for free Naga areas (under the leadership of Thongpi Chang) before their merger were working actively for Naga independence.

There was co-ordination amongst the political organizations and to achieve a common political goal for Independence, NNC leaders came to Nagas area of Manipur in October, 1946 and held consultative meetings.

In the month of May, 1947, a general meeting under the banner of NNL was held at Kosümai Village. Many village chiefs of Mao-Maram area and a few others from Ukhrul, Chandel and Tamenlong (due to road non-connectivity and absence of other means of communications) took Naga customary oath to stick to the true spirit & principle and commitment for declaration of Naga independence on 14th August, 1947.

Oath taking was marked by killing cattle and swearing on, if betrayed by anyone would die as many as the hairs of cattle according to the customary practice and belief.

The declaration of Naga Independence in Naga areas in Manipur was necessitated with the opinion that since Manipur was then a Princely state, declaration of Naga Independence at Kohima alone under the then Naga Hills would interpret exclusion of Naga areas of Manipur.

Volunteers were actively working hard to accomplish the task of carrying out the declaration of Independence. Themoso, Phremai Village, Kaikho Daili-Thofümai Village, Kreni Daili- Chobonghomai village, Ashiho Apao, Kosümai Village, Kaisü Loli, Robvemai Village, Chitosü Ngoni, Chikhumai Village and Mangai Bou, Chakrechovü village were actively involved in arrangement for hoisting of Naga flag.

In the month of July, 1947, in Chikhumai Village, the leaders of NNL, Athikho Daiho, President and N. Modoli, General Secretary took Oath by sacrificing dog meat eating ceremony according to Naga customary practice and belief to stick to their swearing for the cause of Nag Independence.

On the fateful day of 14th August, 1947 at 10 am in the Assembly of Naga leaders and public, Oja Kholi Puni, Evangelist read out Bible, followed by his prayer and then Krehe Mathibo, the Village Headman declared and hoisted the symbolic first flag of Naga Independence in this Village of Mao-Maram area of Manipur.

The flag hoisting was also carried out infront of the IB Banglow at Mao Gate by the following volunteers: Kaisü Loli, Robvemai Village, Chitosü Ngoni, Chikhumai Vuillage, Mangai Bou, Chakrechovü Village and Kreni Daili, Chobonghomai Village.

The message of declarations of Naga Independence of Naga areas in Manipur by Nagas at Asofü, Robvemai Village was telegraphed from Kohima to the then Raja of Imphal in the evening of the same day.

In 1948, on 27th August, at Mao Gate our non-violent movement was mercilessly and brutally suppressed by the killing and injuring our people by the agents of the Manipur Government and both the leaders A. Daiho and N. Modoli with all records were captured by Manipur government and both the leaders were imprisoned at the Dam Dam Jail.

In the Naga peoples' referendum and plebiscite 1951, Nagas living in Manipur started active signature/thumb impression campaign very much ahead of time from 1949. Thus, the peoples' referendum and plebiscite was participated by majority of Mao-Maram Nagas with record submission at Kohima by the following volunteers viz- Akamo, Chakrechovü, Adani Asüsü, Robvemai village and Rtd. SDO, PWD, Kreni Daili (The only living participant).

H. Lokho Krechena, president, Mao Union, Kohima.
(H. Lokho Krechena) President, Mao Union, Kohima.
C\O Puni Modoli, Kuda Village 'B', Mao Colony, Dimapur, Nagaland-797112.
Email :- punimodoli(at)gmail(dot)com