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opinion/EDITORIAL
Nagaland Post
Post-mortem 52nd anniversary Story behind September 6 black day commemoration O
Vol. XXVI NO. 270 Dimapur, tuesday, September 6, 2016
Saint Teresa of India
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or India and especially the people of Kolkata, no matter which religion one belongs to, the canonisation of Mother Teresa, a Catholic nun, by Pope Francis on Sunday was indeed a moment that will forever be relished and feel proud of her selfless devotion in helping India’s poor and rejected. Pope Francis delivered the formula for the canonization of the Albanian-born nun -- known as the “saint of the gutters” -- before huge crowds of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City and declared that Mother Teresa has been declared “Blessed Teresa of Calcutta to be a saint.” Prayers were then delivered in a number of languages, including Albanian, Mother Teresa’s native tongue, and Bengali, the language of Kolkata, where a special Mass was celebrated at the Missionaries of Charity Sunday. A prayer was delivered in Chinese for persecuted Christians around the world. Born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in 1910, Mother Teresa set up her Missionaries of Charity in the slums of Kolkata in 1950 and made her headquarters in then Calcutta city for nearly half a century. Her small figure, often in a white-and-blue sari and sandals, became familiar around the world. She died in Kolkata in 1997 at age 87. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that sainthood for Mother Teresa is a “memorable and proud moment”, after her canonisation at the Vatican. “As Indians we have to feel proud about the canonisation of Bharat Ratna Mother Teresa. She had dedicated her life for the upliftment of the poor.” In Kolkata, a large number had gathered since early Sunday morning at Mother House for a special mass ahead of the canonisation ceremony at the Vatican. They placed candles and flowers on her tomb in sombre contemplation, but the atmosphere at the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity, the order that SaintTeresa founded, was also one of celebration. The life of Mother Teresa now Saint Teresa of Kolkata, has been a story of selfless sacrifice and devotion for the helpless, rejected and dying in true obedience to the teachings of Christ. She had won the admiration of the people throughout the globe and for which she was also awarded Nobel Peace Prize for her dedication to the love of God in serving the “poorest of the poor.” It is also not unthinkable, that despite being a doer of the faith and for which she earned the love and respect of people of all faiths while shunning publicity over the selfless devotion to serve the poorest of the poor, Mother Teresa was unjustly criticized and even demonised by those who chose to ascribe motive for her good deeds including liberals and feminists( for her stand on abortion and contraception). By criticising Mother Teresa, for saving thousands of lives, these critics should instead ask why the millions of doctors in the world did nothing to treat the sick, dying, homeless and rejected of Calcutta and if doing voluntary humanitarian service was an offence? To put the matter in perspective, no one who has not contributed anything to society has any right to criticise and condemn people like Mother Teresa who was just one nun for just trying to be a good person and do good deeds. The blame should be placed on those who refused to get involved when their involvement was deeply needed.
DailyDevotion Watching With Jesus Stay here and watch with Me. —Matthew 26:38
“Watch with Me.” Jesus was saying, in effect, “Watch with no private point of view at all, but watch solely and entirely with Me.” In the early stages of our Christian life, we do not watch with Jesus, we watch for Him. We do not watch with Him through the revealed truth of the Bible even in the circumstances of our own lives. Our Lord is trying to introduce us to identification with Himself through a particular “Gethsemane” experience of our own. But we refuse to go, saying, “No, Lord, I can’t see the meaning of this, and besides, it’s very painful.” And how can we possibly watch with Someone who is so incomprehensible? How are we going to understand Jesus sufficiently to watch with Him in His Gethsemane, when we don’t even know why He is suffering? We don’t know how to watch with Him— we are only used to the idea of Jesus watching with us. The disciples loved Jesus Christ to the limit of their natural capacity, but they did not fully understand His purpose. In the Garden of Gethsemane they slept as a result of their own sorrow, and at the end of three years of the closest and most intimate relationship of their lives they “all…forsook Him and fled” (Matthew 26:56). “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit…” (Acts 2:4). “They” refers to the same people, but something wonderful has happened between these two events— our Lord’s death, resurrection, and ascension— and the disciples have now been invaded and “filled with the Holy Spirit.” Our Lord had said, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…” (Acts 1:8). This meant that they learned to watch with Him the rest of their lives.
Quotes The end of labor is to gain leisure. ~ Aristotle
Nagaland Post, Dimapur tuesday, September 6, 2016
(The Matikhrii village massacre)
(Message by Gen, (Retd) Thinuoselie M. Keyho, president NNC.)
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am grateful to the Almighty God and I give all glory to Him for the life He has given me to be able to share about the Indo-Naga Ceasefire with our people today. The Indo-Naga saga is one of mystery and wonder. I have learnt from our leaders that in the past, the Indian Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi understood about the Nagas and wanted the Nagas to be free, but before this could materialise he was unfortunately killed by his own people. An opportunity was lost. The then Indian Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru did not like the Nagas. He did not listen to the rights of the Nagas and tried to suppress it. It is said that once in the presence of a Naga delegation he angrily hit the table with his fist and said. “Even if heaven falls, or the earth breaks into pieces or blood flows throughout the whole of India, I or for that matter anyone, as long as there is a Prime Minister of India, Nagas will not be given Independence.” If he really said this it is not suitable for him. Can a Prime Minister of any country say such harsh words? May be God had hardened his heart. Nehru sent Indian soldiers to invade Nagaland, intrude our homes, persecuted and tortured our people without any valid reasons, our women abused and molested, wilful destruction of our goods and properties and took the lives of many of our people. Because of which the Nagas were compelled to rise up with arms against the Indians. But it is said that in late 1964 when a proposal for Indo- Naga Ceasefire was brought to him, he gladly endorsed it. Not only this, it was said that he personally wanted to conduct the Peace Talk. This made the people to really wonder at the Prime Minister’s sudden change of heart. We thought since he had learnt something, we expected thathe would decide something but he died before the Ceasefire came into effect. In this also we lost a very good opportunity. We were also very happy that the Government of India was going to have a Ceasefire with the Federal Government of Nagaland. Nagas starting from zero to that of signing a Ceasefire Agreement with Government of India was regarded as ample rewards for our sacrifices and effort; they have indirectly given us recognition. On top of this, it has already granted the “Nagaland State,” and to supersede all
these, was going to have dialogue with us. We also believed that India was really sincere and wanted to solve the issue positively attended the Talk. In the First Round of Talks I was also one of the delegates of the Federal Government of Nagaland. Among the Three of us who attended I am the only one surviving today as my two friends, Mr. Zashei Huireand Mr. Isak Chishi Swu are no more with us. Why did the Peace Talk fail? There may be many reasons, but to me it was the attitude of the Indians, their approach was not good. They were too proud and thought highly of themselves while they did not consider the Nagas as human beings and ill treated us. There was no sincerity nor do they seriously think it is necessary on their part to solve the issue, but for the time being just making things easy to make Nagas lazy and weaken us in order to control us, using divisive policy and delaying tactic. They do not understand the Nagas. This is both good and bad. Had they understood the Nagas, the Naga issue would have been solved long before, but the inability to solve the issue even after so many years is only because they do not understand theNagas. After a gap of more than 30 (Thirty) years, in 1997 the Government of India first signed Ceasefire with NSCN (IM). Then in 2001, signed Ceasefire with NSCN (K), after that with NSCN (U) and NSCN (R) but the” Peace Talk” is being held only with NSCN (IM). What does this mean? How many times or with how many people will they sign the Ceasefire with? During the 1964 Ceasefire there was unity among the Nagas. The people’s mandate was also there. How can the Issue be solved now in the absence of unity and mandate? The Government of India can neither fool the Nagas nor the world. The Naga issue is different; victory is not possible by adopting crooked or evil means. Victory cannot be achieved through the use ofarms and guns or physical strength but only by Honesty and Truth. The solution of the Naga issue may be a challenge to the wisdom and statesmanship of the Indian leaders. The Government of India may appear good or bad. Let the Government of India make the choice. But as for us: We Nagas believe that Righteousness and Truth will ultimately Triumph.
n August 14, 1960, the Naga Army attacked Assam Rifle out-post at Thuda (Phor village) in Pochury area. The attack was undertaken by the Eastern Command’s 1st Brigade under the command of Major General Zuheto, along with the then 4th battalion of Pochury Region under the command of Lt. Colonel Thorpa. The monsoon was at its height during the time and all major rivers like Tizu, Lanye and Thethsii were in full spate. The attack was launched after destroying all the six bridges on all the rivers. This was done to stop reinforcement from reaching the besieged army post. As the attack continued into the thirteenth day, ammunitions on both sides were running short and on several occasions the Indian Air Force plane tried to drop relief material and ammunitions but were prevented by the Naga Army. At the same time the Indian Air Force jet fighters strafed the attacker’s positions. An Indian transport plane (Dakota) trying to drop relief materials and ammunitions to the besieged post was shot down by the Naga Army on the 14th day of the siege and crash landed at Zathsii, a paddy field of Meluri village. The Naga Army captured all the 9 (nine) airmen including Flt. Lt. A. S. Singh. This led to a heavy army operation in Pochury area by the Indian Army, who was on a mission to search and rescue the captured airmen, none of whom were ever tortured but were later set free through the Red Cross. In the process of the army operations to rescue the airmen many villages were burnt down and untold atrocities and tortures were inflicted upon the villagers. On September 1, 1960, 6 (six) villagers from Phor village were tortured to death. Their names are Lt. Türachu, Village Chief, Lt. Yutsüchu, Pastor, Lt. Chüpuchu DB, Lt. Yitüchu GB, Lt. Türüchu GB, Lt. Müghazu GB. Again on September 3, 1960 another 3 (three) villagers from Yisi village were beaten to death namely Lt. Mazu GB, Lt. Throchu, Lt. Mazu RP. Two villagers Lt. Yichühu and Lt. Nyupuchu.from Mokie village were also beaten to death. In Laruri village, Lt. Lingsang was buried alive after severe beating. Lt. Nyukhrüsüh
and Lt. Rhorüpa of Meluri village were beaten severely and after which, their heads were chopped-off. Two villages, namely Tsiküzo and Küluopfü, were abandoned due to tortures and humiliations meted out by the Indian army. On 6th September 1960, the Punjab Regiment posted at Kangjang village reached Matikhrii village around 10 am. The entire village was encircled in three rings and all the villagers were ordered to gather in one place. Men folk were separated from women and children. All the men were made to keep jumping and do sit-ups, for more than 5 hours in the scorching sun, naked. Any signs of tiredness were met with kicks and hits with rifle butts. Then just before sunset, Indian army not satisfied with the punishment meted out to the villagers, rounded them up inside the Village chief ’s house and were forced to sit heads down like a lamb being lead to its slaughter. Lt. Thah, the then Village chief, knowing what was in store for them bravely volunteered to sacrifice. He stood bravely for the Naga cause even to his last breath and said “It’s a man’s pride. No surrender, no compromise for our birth right. This sacrifice is to protect our freedom. I shall gladly lay down my life for the Naga future generation.” Then an Indian army jawan, holding a blunt dao chopped off the head of Lt. Pogholo who was first in the line. Witnessing the brutality and horror in front of their eyes and knowing that all of them were going to be killed, one of the villagers managed to escape the execution forcefully. Then one after another heads rolled down separated from the bodies, and in the event a total of nine lives were lost. Their names are Lt. Thah, Lt. Pogholo, Lt. Mezitso, Lt. Pongoi, Lt. Eyetshü, Lt. Zasituo, Lt. Thitu, Lt. Kekhwezu, Lt. Kezükhwelo. The Indian army did not even allow the loved ones to perform last rites and rituals for the dead. All the dead bodies were dumped inside the village chief ’s house and were burnt down to ashes along with the other houses and granaries. The women and children who had fled to the jungle to evade the horror and torture of Indian Army came back the next morning to find the whole village burnt down to
ashes. Lt. Thitu who narrowly escaped from the execution was found by his wife Mrs. Rhiitariih with three cuts on the neck, stomach slashed and intestines thrown out. He quoted “Love, tell my beloved children the sacrifice I have borne for them and I am waiting to die in your lap with a cup of water” and after drinking, he breathed his last. Another victim Lt. Zasituo, traveling Pastor, was also found almost dead with multiple injuries on his chest and neck. Not long after, he died. Then the horrified women and children with no means simply covered the dead bodies with mud and left for the jungles fearing the Indian army might turn up any time. For days together, the survivors wandered in the deep jungle without proper food and shelter. The wild berries and fruits of the jungle were their only food and means of survival. The only comfort and encouragement they could give to each other was the knowledge of glorious sacrifices made by their men folk. The wild animals and birds of the jungle were their only companions, besides themselves. In extreme conditions of hardships and difficulty, many more precious lives were lost. The Naga Army then came to their rescue. They were given food, shelter and protection. Even today, the nightmares and tragedy of the incident still remain fresh in the mind of the survivors. In this long dispersion and exodus, the survivors entered Burma and stayed with the Naga Army in their camp at Sathi where Gavin Young of London Observer met them in the later part of 1961. In his book “Indo-Naga War”, page 29-30, he wrote that when he met the survivors, there were only a pathetic thirty people. They spent their lives in the wilderness for two and half years. In 1963, village re-establishment took place but normal life could not be restored for many years. The people of Pochury have ever since observed 6th September as “BLACK DAY” in memory of all those who had suffered and laid down their lives for the greater glory and freedom of the Nagas. It is a day of sadness and a day to acknowledgement of the sacrifices made by the martyrs. Er. Joyson Pfithu, President, Pochury Students’ Union
Peace Day or Black Day? Remembering late N. L Kinghen (multi-faceted pioneer among the Lothas) S
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hildhood and education: Late N. L Kinghen (NchemoLhota) was born in Changpang Village, Wokha District, sometime in the month of April 1894. He was the eldest son of Late Shanchow Kinghen and Late Takumpula Longkumtzur Kinghen. His mother Late Takumpula was the first Christian convert from Changpang Village which is the second village to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ in Lotha area. Late Kinghen was admitted to the Impur M. E School and Mission Training on 12-2-1915 and passed Class-VI at the Jorhat Christian H. E. School and finished his studies there in 1924. Author and translator: Right from his student days Late Kinghen took keen interest in literary work such as translation and composing of songs. Some of the books written/translated by him are given below. 1. The Lotha Hymn book (PotsoNthoKhen) was translated by him in 1924, along with Rev. I. E Ngullie of Okotos village. These included 14 songs contributed by Mr.ChumdemoMurry and ChichamoOvung. 2. A small catechism book was translated by Late Kinghen into Lotha dialect and was printed at Baptist Mission press Calcutta in 1928. 3. Late Kinghen authored a book called “ABC SokaphenKako” for beginners in 1938, which was duly approved and published by the Deputy Commissioner Naga Hills Kohima. Every Lotha child was introduced to education through this book and was used in schools till the early eighties. 4. He was co-translator of the AESOP’S FABLES. 5. He was the author of “Assam Osi Naga Hills Geography” which was used as a text book in Middle Schools. Service rendered for the Naga cause 1. Formation of Naga Hill District Tribal Council (NHDTC) 1945. NHDTC was formed in April 1945 on the advice of C.R. Pawsey the then Deputy Commissioner of Naga Hills, with following office bearers: ( a ) P r e s i d e n t - M r. M aya n g NokchaAo (b) Vice President -Mr. N. L Kinghen (NchemoLotha) (c) General Secretary -Mr. T. SakhrieAngami (d) Joint Secretary -Mr. P. SentsiRengma 2. Formation of Naga National Council (NNC) 1946. When from NHDTC to NNC
was formed at Wokha on 20th June 1946, once again Late. N. L Kinghen was elected as Vice President with Mr.AlibaAo as President. 3. Naga Delegation to meet Nehru at Delhi- 18th July 1947 In the Naga delegation to meet Pandit Nehru, in New Delhi the Lotha tribe was represented by Mr. N. L Kinghen and Mr.Tsayio Kikon. After his return from New Delhi NchemoLotha said “everything seemed to be pointing to a declaration of independence”. 4.The Naga delegation met Indian Prime Minster Jawaharlal Nehru at Jorhat on 20-10-1956 in which the Lothas were represented by 1. N.L. Kinghen (PA. to D.C) 2. Khyothungo Ezung (D.B) 3. Pvuchinimo Jungi 4. Nzio Humtsoe 5. Tsurenthung Murry (GB) 6. P. E Ezung Other services rendered Following are some of the public service rendered by Late N. L Kinghen in his capacity as government servant. 1. Late Kinghen was the first gazetted officer among the Lothas. The establishment of Wokha Town in the formative years was solely taken care by Late Kinghen as he was the head of the then Wokha Sub-division from 1946 to 1958, and then 1964 to 1965. He was “The Architect of Wokha Town”. 2. The present Government Higher Secondary School was started by the general public of the whole Lotha area as a private school, under the guidance and leadership of Late Kinghen. He even involved his wife and engaged her as the unofficial key holder of the school office and the school chest. 3. Late Kinghen worked painstakingly for educational advancement of Lothas. During his tenure as Assistant Commissioner-I (presently designated as SDO(C) Wokha, Fr. Larreaand Fr. O’ Haracame to meet him on 8th April 1965 about sorting out differences of opinion with the landowners for opening of a catholic Educational Institution. The attitude of the people toward non-Baptist denominational Christians was not as friendly as it is now and convincing all parties was not an easy task. However with the initiative of Late Kinghen the landowners and the general public agreed to the proposal of opening the Don Bosco School Wokha. Many years later Late Kinghen wrote in his autobiography quote
“The Lothas still hope that this high school will grow into a college in the near future. The predecessors laid the foundation and successors are doing the construction.” 4. In the days when Wokha was under the SDO Mokokchung, a team of Police Officials came to Wokha and earmarked the present Baptist church site as the proposed site of Police Station Wokha. However, Late Kinghen vehemently objected to the proposal and using his official position, allotted an alternative site and thus salvaged the site for the Church. 5. Late Kinghen was a founding member of the Lotha Literature committee and served as its Chairman till his death on 8-9-1978. Service (government) Late N. L. Kinghen served at the Barbhetta Mission Hospital Jorhat from 1933 to 1936. He was then appointed in government service as an assistant in D.C’s office Kohima on 15-04-1936. This was the beginning of a very fruitful and successful span of 33years of government service. (Listed below). 1. Chairman Lotha Tribal Bench Court -1946 to 1953 2. Political Assistant to D.C Naga Hills, Wokha – 1953 to 1958 3. Administrative Officer D.C’s Office Kohima- 1958 to 1959 4. Assistant Commissioner –II Kohima – 1959-64 5. Assistant Commissioner – I (S.D.O Civil) Wokha – 1964 to 1965 6. Additional Deputy Commissioner and Additional District Magistrate, Tuensang- 1965 to 1968 7. Deputy Secretar y (R) Home Deptt. – 1968 to 1969 8. Retired as Additional D.C 24.6.1969. The proof of Late Kinghen’s selflessness can be established in the fact that he does not own even an inch of government land allotted in his name anywhere in Nagaland even though he had the authority for 33 years while in government service. The members of the family of Late N. L Kinghen would like to place on record their appreciation and gratitude to the government of Nagaland and the District administration Wokha, for naming the road from Nallah near PisamoTungoe residence to IOC Nallah as N.L Kinghen Road. David Kinghen, On behalf of the children Grand-Children and great grand Children of Late N. L Kinghen.
eptember 6 is being observed every year as Peace Day by the Nagas all over Nagaland, particularly in NBCC churches. Its significance is linked with the historical ceasefire agreement signed between the Government of India and the Federal Government of Nagaland on September 6, 1964. Being the most widely represented church body of the Naga family at that time, and also burdened with the need to stand up and speak out on behalf of the people, NBCC rose to the occasion and formed the Peace Mission to spearhead peace initiative with the following public figures as members: Shri. Jayaprakash Narayan, Shri. Bimala Prasad Chaliha, Rev. Michael Scott. A decision to this effect was taken during the NBCC convention which met at Wokha from January 31 - February 2, 1964. Through the tireless service of its peace emissary, NBCC was instrumental in bringing the two warring parties to sit across the table and ink the ceasefire agreement. This is no mean achievement by any standard given to understand the gravity of the situation during that time. Since then September 6 is being marked in the NBCC calendar and observed every year as Peace Day. This tradition is followed not so much to celebrate its achievement of having successfully brokered the peace deal as the need to impress upon its citizens to continue to work more sincerely and wholeheartedly towards the realisation of a realistic and tangible experience of peace. September 6 has another significance for some people living somewhere in the margin of the state. Less known among other Nagas but more solemnly observed by the Pochury Nagas with religious devotion on September 6 is the Black Day. Calling to mind the maiden speech of Jawaharlal Nehru on August 15, 1947, the first Prime Minister of free India, who, in the middle of the night, said, “...in the dead of the night when the world sleeps, India will rise to freedom...”, paradoxically it is a reality that when the rest of the Nagas sleep in peace on September 6, the people of Pochury shall wake up to another Black Day of sadness and suffering. Memories die hard. Memories of the sacrifice offered by the Pochury people at the altar of Naga struggle for emancipation from alien domination are relived and re-
membered with patriotic pride every year on September 6. Today many might not know the circumstances leading to the massacre of Matikhrü villagers on September 6, 1960 and the declaration of this day as Black Day. Consequent upon the attack by the Naga armies on the Indian army outpost at Thuda (Phor) on August 26, 1960 in which an Indian Air Force DC.3 carrying army supply was shot down, systematic torture and killing of the innocent villagers began to take place in the neighbouring villages beginning with Phor until finally its culmination was witnessed at Matikhrü on September 6, 1960. Every Pochury village has its own unique story to tell, but the cruel hand of the mighty Indian army that came heavily on the people of Matikhru on September 6, 1960 is beyond comprehension. Decapitated bodies, dismembered limbs, mutilated bodies beyond recognition abound the ghost village. Death, death everywhere and there was not a single soul to bury the death. Juxtaposing Nagaland Peace Day and Pochury Black Day today, two very significant events seemingly contesting for prominence in the calendar of one nation, one wonders whether these two contradictory contenders could in any way be reconciled. Black is emblematic of death and mourning. Peace means life and celebration. Can one die and live or grieve and rejoice at the same time? The question on one’s mind is should we or should we not commemorate Peace Day on Black Day. Like the Hebrews in exile who reasoned with their subjugators as to how they could sing the Lord’s song in a strange land, we too reason how we could forget the carnage of September 6 and betray the trust of our forefathers by not observing Black Day? The people of Pochury choose to observe Black Day on September 6 not in any sense to romanticise suffering or glorify violence. It is also not our intention to stage a protest and oppose peace. We observe Black Day lest we forget the value of peace that has been purchased with the blood of the martyrs. Very importantly, our intention and action is to affirm and make known to the Nagas and the other Indians that a repeat of the September 6, 1960 tragedy should not be allowed to happen again anytime anywhere in our land. Rümatho Nyusou
Reader’s Post
Sir,
Know God, believe in Him, fear Him and obey Him
This is the law of relationship with God and relationship with God is the foundation of good relationship in human family. This is the only way of human peace. The world can be a consistent and peaceful world if the world embarks on seeking to know the true God and to have relationship with Him. If the whole world agrees to find out who the true Creator of the heavens and the earth is, it is the greatest step towards bringing the world to the truth. If the truth is accepted, the world cannot be a confused world. Rev. L. Suohie Mhasi
Reader’s note: Articles or letters published in any of the columns do not reflect the view of this newspaper nor that of the Editor in any manner.