Rich tribute paid to ‘No Tax Campaign martyrs’

Our Correspondent
Senapati, Aug 28: The Mao Council under the aegis of the United Naga Council (UNC) observed the 74th anniversary of “Naga Martyrs’ Day” at Mao Gate, Senapati district on Saturday.
Observation of the "Naga martyrs’ day" started from 2005 under the aegis of the UNC with the Mao Council as the local organizing committee. The day marked the event when the Assam Rifles killed volunteers and students in response to the ‘No Tax Campaign’ launch-ed in Naga hill areas.
Dr Saheni Loli, president, Mao Council in his keynote address, stated that Nagas in Manipur, under the aegis of the Naga National League (NNL) launched the ‘No Tax Campaign’ by refusing to pay the annual house tax to the Govt of Manipur and they submitted their annual house tax to Charles Pawsey, DC of Naga Hills of Assam at Kohima.
It was a means of putting pressure on the Indian Govt for securing the merger of the Nagas in Manipur with the Naga Hills district. It was also an act of defiance against the State of Manipur.
The Manipur Maharaja sent a contingent of Assam Rifles to Mao Gate on August 27, 1948 to arrest NNL president A Daiho.
Assam Rifles took position in and around Mao Inspection Bungalow and indiscriminately fired at the volunteers/students of the Mao-Maram Tribal Council (now Mao, Maram, Poumai, Thangal and Upper Zeliang) who were blocking the road leading to the residence of A Daiho, said Dr Saheni Loli.
In the firing incident, three volunteers and students namely; Asiisii Hepuni of Punanamei (volunteer), Mahriili Lohrii of Kalinamei (student) and Modoli Kholi of Kalinamei (student) were killed on the spot and two other volunteers namely; Daikho Hesho of Chowai-namei Khullen and Obow Adani of Punanamei later succumbed to injuries.
Many other male and female volunteers and students received bullet injuries.
After the peaceful demonstrators were dispersed, A Daiho of Song Song village, N Modoli of Tunggam, Kaikho Dili of Tadubi and Athikho Sibo of Song Song were arrested.
All the dead bodies, the injured and arrested leaders were reportedly herded away to Imphal in the Assam Rifles convoy.
Though the campaign was forcibly suppressed, the seeds of political aspiration sown during that critical time never die, the Mao Council president said,
UNC president S Kho John stated that the event marked what the foregone leaders had done for the people and their land 74 years ago.
Kho John stated that the Naga movement is very unique and conveyed he is happy to learn the progress of the Indo-Naga political dialogue.
The UNC leader then added that the Govt of India cannot escape without bringing an honourable solution to the vexed Indo-Naga political issue.
The NSF in their solidarity message paid homage to the martyrs whose martyrdom had renewed the hope for a promised Naga future.
Samson Rimai, vice-president Naga Hoho called the movement important as it expressed the wishes of the Naga people to integrate the Naga areas and live under one political roof so that, the land and identity of the Naga people can be safeguarded forever.
AC Thotso, general secretary, ANSAM lauded the people of Shepoumaramth who stood up boldly in defiance of the alleged illegal tax imposed in the hills.
ANSAM also saluted the Naga martyrs and all the victims who bore the atrocities perpetrated by the adversaries at that point of time.
Solomon Arow, president, NPO while lauding the martyrs stated that they fought for the Nagas as well as for the hill people.  
Rev A Puni, member, collective leadership, NSCN/GPRN gave an update on the Indo-Naga Peace talk at the later part of the programme.
A one minute silent prayer was offered in honour of the martyrs at the beginning of the programme. Naga Hoho, NSF, NMA, UNC, NWU, ANSAM, NPMHR, TPO, NPO, SDSA, SDWA, Mao Council, Mao National workers, MSU, MNWWA and MYO laid wreaths at the monolith of Naga Martyrs Park, Mao Gate.