Imphal, August 27 (NNN): Nagas from all walks of life today gathered at Mao Gate at the Manipur-Nagaland border and observed the 58th anniversary of the Martyrs' Day in remembrance of those killed during the 1948 'No Tax Campaign' uprising.

"Fifty eight years back on this day, the first Naga blood was shed for the unification of the Nagas and the Nagas today celebrate the legacy left behind by our brave forefathers', United Naga Council president Puni Modoli remarked in his welcome address at the occasion.

In 1948, on this day three people were killed on the spot, two succumbed to their injuries later when a contingent of Assam Rifles and police fired upon the Naga civilians who tried to obstruct the contingent who came to arrest the then Naga leader A Daiho.

For the first time, the Nagas observed the occasion in a grand way near the site of the 1948 incident at Mao Gate today where most of the Naga apex mass based organizations and several tribal Hoho representatives took part in the grand observation.

"Instead of appreciating our peaceful and democratic agitation, the Manipur Maharaja had responded with bullets and brute force" said Mao Council president Tosiini while introducing the Martyrs' Day.

He also prayed in the name of God that the unification and integration of the Nagas be fruitful.

Similarly, 83 years old Mathibo, one of the living witnesses of the 1948 uprising where he was among the injured expressed his diehard aspirations and longing to see the fulfilment of the Nagas before his death.

"I don't want to die and am longing to see the dream of the Nagas fulfiled and am hopeful under the able present leadership of Isak and Muivah".

"The sacrifice made by our leaders is admirable and praise-worthy and will go down the history as a legacy" said speaker of Naga Hoho H K Zhimomi.

"They are not martyrs' but heroes and they have fought a good fight and won", he added.