THE 6th DEATH ANNIVERSARY OF (L) MR. ISAK CHISHI SWU, FORMER CHAIRMAN, NSCN
The highly respected NSCN (National Socialist Council of Nagalim) leader Isak Chishi Swu’s 6th Death Anniversary was observed at his birth place Chishilimi village, Pughoboto Sub-division, Zunheboto District, Nagaland on the 28th June, 2022, organized by the Green Club, Zunheboto in collaboration with Sumi Region, NSCN.
His name is honored by the Naga people as he occupied an important place in the history of Naga political struggle. His name is closely link with the internationalization of the Naga political issue. All those who worked closely with him loved and revered him. A distinguished God fearing freedom fighter he was till his last breath.
He joined the Naga national service in the late 1950s and within a short period he was elevated to the post of Foreign Secretary of the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN).
As Foreign Secretary after the First Indo-Naga Ceasefire of September 6, 1964, he participated in several rounds of talks held at the Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi’s level in New Delhi. The peace talks failed. And he was sent to China along with Mr. Th. Muivah and others to seek military training and arms.
Mr. Isak Chishi Swu was in China with Mr. Th. Muivah when the existence of the Naga nation was threatened after the Shillong Accord was signed on November 11, 1975. On return to homeland, Isak Chishi Swu, Th. Muivah and SS Khaplang rejected the Shillong Accord and formed NSCN on January 31, 1980, as necessitated by the situation to continue the Naga resistance movement.
Again after the Second Indo-Naga Ceasefire in 1997 he played a fatherly figure in the peace talk as Chairman of NSCN. It was the then Prime Minister of India Mr. PV Narasimha Rao who met him along with NSCN General Secretary Mr. Th. Muivah in Paris on June 12, 1995 to set the ball rolling for the Second Indo-Naga Ceasefire. It was his prayerful determination that the process to declare Second Indo-Naga Ceasefire was finally achieved, much to the delight of the Government of India as NSCN holds the key to establishing peace in Northeast.
The long cherished goal of Isak Chishi Swu was to find Naga political settlement that is honorable and acceptable to both the parties (GoI and Nagas) and with this aspiration he signed the Framework Agreement from his sick bed at Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. Ironically, the habitual betraying nature of India is at work again to undo the hard earned Framework Agreement and thereby create division and confusion among the Nagas.
Isak Chishi Swu was in China twice to seek support for the Naga movement. He was honored to talk to Chou En Lai, the first Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of China. Chou En Lai assured the Nagas that when the right time comes, China would be the first country to recognize Nagaland.
During his stay in China, the Chinese Government flew him to Paris where he met Phizo for six days and flew him back to China.
During the program various personalities delivered highly eulogized speech that rightfully belongs to Isak Chishi Swu, a man of high integrity-morally, spiritually and politically.
Rev. A. Puni, Member, Collective Leadership, NSCN said, “When righteous man rule the world people rejoice” He further went on to say that Papa Isak Chishi Swu was not only a righteous man but also a brave, courageous warrior and a man of principle. It was during his leadership that as many as 200 churches were established in Eastern Nagalim.
Mr. Qhevihe Chishi Swu, Member, Collective Leadership, NSCN, said that during the Federal Government, Chairman Mr. Isak Swu was the spokesperson for six rounds of talks with the Government of India. As a man of principle he stood his ground to defend the national interest of the Naga nation and become instrumental in forming NSCN along with Th. Muivah and SS Khaplang to salvage the Naga cause.
The Longvibu, Naga Army, Gen. Ningkhan Shimray, MC, VC, stated that “Papa Isak Chishi Swu was a statesman, a politician, a great patriot, a preacher as well as a prophet.” Longvibu admitted that papa Isak Chishi Swu was the very person who helped him become a born again Christian through his spiritual guidance and inspiration during their stay in Eastern Nagalim. When papa Isak Swu undertook 40 days fasting for the Naga nation it was a spellbound inspiration not only for him but for many Nagas across Nagalim as well, Longvibu said. He further added that papa Isak was a prayerful man who prayed for everything before the work begun. He was like a Moses to the Nagas who lead the Nation with faith and thanks giving.
NSCN set its footprints in UNPO (Unrepresented Nations and People’s Organization) and other European countries under the able leadership of Isak Chishi Swu.
Chishilimi, the birth place of Isak Chishi Swu will remain a place to inspire the Nagas because here lies the grave of Isak Chishi Swu, the man who created the Naga’s political highway and its future course of action.
The CNC (Council of Nagalim Churches) General Secretary Rev. Sekshim Kasar found late Chairman Isak Chishi Swu a ‘man of God’and he stated five qualities which he found in Chairman’s life:
- Always ready to present the Gospel no matter what the situation.
- He was a man of prayer; even his knees are permanently darkened for kneeling and praying for Naga Nation.
- He never backbites or speak ill of people behind their back.
- He never carried grudges and even with heated arguments, he will forget it before sunset/next day and never carry it in his heart.
- He loves singing praise to God anytime anywhere. Even when he is at rest, he would be seen humming or singing; after which he would kneel down and pray.
Rev. Sekshim Kasar added that all NSCN members should follow and inherit Chairman Isak Chishi Swu’s qualities.
Sumi Hoho: “Epu late Isak Chishi Swu follows what he speaks. He was a man of action. Sumi Hoho will uphold the principle that Epu Isak Chishi Swu stood for.”
Sumi Totimi Hoho and Ama Eustar Swu look towards the day when a proper tomb construction will take place soon so that late chairman Isak Chishi Swu can rest in dignity and honor.