Muivah honoured on his 90th birthday and 60 years of Naga national service
Staff Reporter, March 24, 2024, Nagaland Post
Among one of the few surviving veteran of the Naga national movement, NSCN (I-M) general secretary and ato kilonser Thuingaleng Muivah was felicitated on his 90th birthday at a grand function Saturday at Hebron Camp Saturday which also marked his 60 years of dedicated service to the Naga nation.
After several other speakers greeted him on the occasion and also recalled his service to the Naga nation, Th. Muivah expressed gratitude for the celebration and highlighted its profound significance on him.
He reiterated that Nagas inherently possessed the air and land of the Naga nation and also acknowledged a failure to assert these rights. Muivah said even though the Indian government had forcefully encroached on Nagas’ rights, yet these rights belonged exclusively to the Nagas, just as Indian rights belong solely to India.
Furthermore, he urged the gathering to safeguard Nagas’ rights and cautioned that surrendering them would result in loss. “If you do not fight for your rights, it will slip away,” he said. He also encouraged the gathering not to fear and assured them of divine blessings. Earlier, while greeting NSCN(I-M) general secretary and ato kilonser on his 90th birth anniversary, deputy ato kilonser, ‘lt gen.’ VS Atem, VC (Retd), recalled Muivah’s 60 years of Naga national service, his journey and commitment to the Naga nation.
Atem, a long-time comrade of the general secretary recalled that Muivah completed his MA studies from Guwahati in 1963 and joined the Naga National Council (NNC) in 1964. While drawing a parallel between Muivah and Biblical prophet Jeremiah, Atem cited God’s divine protection on the latter when faced with numerous adversities, including attacks, detentions, and injuries.
Atem recalled that he was influenced early in his life by Muivah’s rallying cry for unity, amidst a challenging national period. “At that time, Muivah was looked upon by the people with some sort of uncommon respect and love”, said Atem. Atem said if Muivah had not been chosen by God, he wouldn’t have been shielded in such an extraordinary manner against attacks, imprisonment, detentions, and injuries on numerous occasions.
Atem also narrated how Muivah, accompanied by a team, embarked on the perilous journey to China, covering a distance of approximately 800 kilometers from the “Naga nation, “ despite being unfamiliar with the route and encountering various hazards, such as conflicts with some fellow Naga people who were still engaged in headhunting practices. Atem recalled that Muivah first reached China in 1967 and returned only in 1972. On his return, he said Muivah began organizing national workers in the Eastern Tangkhul area.
“Tangkhul national workers were fear ridden and had given up, raising their hands to the enemy. Hardly 30 of them were still struggling. Along with our general secretary, as if he was in the place of Jesus Christ as a saviour, the people developed unshakable confidence in him and they started praying with him and fasting many days”, stated Atem.
He also narrated a miraculous incident in 1974 when Muivah prayed for divine intervention while being confronted with Indian security forces. The prayer brought about a sudden incapacitation of the Indian soldiers. Atem attributed it to Jesus’ intervention as in no time the Indian soldiers fell to the ground.
Muivah proclaimed that Jesus intervened to show His mighty power and instructed Tangkhul national workers to commemorate that place and establish a place of worship. He also highlighted Muivah’s role in organizing a National Assembly in 1974, amidst widespread Indian army operations. Despite this, he noted that the assembly saw a large turnout who reiterated the national resolve, and affirm that “Nagas will fight till the end, till sovereign independence is gained.”
After the national assembly, Atem narrated Muivah’s second trip to China in September 1974, during which he (Muivah) and his group had encountered the Burmese armed forces. Atem also recalled the August 30, 1978 military coup when Muivah and late Isak Swu were imprisoned and expelled from national service.
The coup compelled both Muivah and Swu to form the NSCN (in 1980) and for which, he expressed thanks to both Muivah and Swu for their unwavering commitment in defending the nation.
Despite facing numerous challenges, Atem said that Muivah’s dedication to the Naga cause never wavered. He highlighted Muivah’s pivotal role in garnering support through national assemblies and international campaigns, crucially in internationalizing the Naga issue.
He urged everyone to collectively pray for Muivah’s health till an honourable and amicable resolution to the Indo-Naga issue was achieved.
The message from the NSCN (I-M) yaruiwo Q. Tuccu, was read out as he could not be present due to ill health. In his message, Tuccu wished Muivah on his 90th birthday and remarked that by any standard, 60 years was a remarkable achievement for anyone who has devoted themselves to the Naga political cause. He said this demonstrated unwavering dedication to the belief that Nagas were not a lost people.
He commended Muivah for sparing no effort in advancing this cause and acknowledged the sacrifices of “blood, sweat, and tears” made to safeguard the Naga nation from being forgotten. “Your ground breaking foray into Naga political movement makes all the difference towards making the NSCN as the torch bearer of Naga political movement”, Tuccu said. He also acknowledged this was because Muivah’s brand of revolutionary leadership which led the governments of India to recognise the Naga issue from correct perspective.
In his greetings message, NSCN (I-M) kedallo Tongmeth Wangnao said that in spite of all difficulties, Muivah, has accomplished all his missions successfully. He thanked Muivah for the hard work and sacrifices for the Naga nation. “In the process of long negotiation, you have made the Indian authorities understand the reality of our people and our history. As such they have finally recognized our history as unique, which is a strong foundation for the new generations to come. You have fought a good fight” Tongmeth said.
Earlier, the programme was moderated by secretary Indo-Naga political talks, W Zimik, invocation was offered by pastor Somdal Baptist Church, Rev Aping Khamrang, and special number presented by deputy secretary Evali Chishi Swu.
Greetings messages were also delivered by NSCN (I-M) longvibu Anthony Shimray, members of Naga Hoho, Global Naga Forum, Naga Mothers Association, Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights, Tirap, Changlang & Longding People’s Forum, Forum for Naga Reconciliation, Naga Students Federation, Eastern Naga People’s Organization, United Naga Council, Naga Women’s Union Manipur, Eastern Naga Students Federation, Naga Council Dimapur, Naga Women Hoho, Dimapur, Dimapur Naga Students Union and All Naga Students Association Manipur.
FNR convenor Rev Dr Wati Aier, also read out the birthday greeting message of the Working Committee, Naga National Political Groups (WC/NNPGs) to Muivah. Act of blessings was led by president Nagaland Christian Revival Church, Rev Dr N Paphino; vote of thanks offered by convenor organizing committee and MIP kilonser, ‘capt.’ (Retd) Samson Jajo, and benediction by pastor CHQ Church, Hebron, Dijinbou Newmai.