(From previous issue…)
These independent countries, like Nepal, Burma, Malaya and some African countries, are constantly asking for all kinds of help from us. We ourselves have taken the help from Germany, Russia and UK in the three big steel plants that we are building.[8] The next plants will be built by Indians. We want the people of each area to take charge of the area and develop it. Officers from outside are there only to help and not to rule and govern; but one cannot remain cut off from the world. For instance, the countries which were most cut off from the world, like Tibet, are now moving fast. It used to take four weeks to reach Lhasa from India and now it takes only two hours by air. The world is becoming small and we cannot remain isolated. Quite apart from my wishes and your wishes, you cannot simply consider the Naga territory as apart from the rest of India or the world. But what is necessary is to realize that it has its own special ways and customs — in some ways it is more advanced and in some other ways it is more backward than the rest of India. Therefore, a certain helpful protection from outside exploitation is necessary; but one cannot entirely remain away from the rest of the world, and isolated existence is not politically or economically possible today. We want you in the Naga areas to train the people to govern themselves. We want you also to work in the rest of India and to have a knowledge of world affairs. One must have this larger picture of autonomy.
You have talked about a Naga state and you said that it has nothing to do with independence. I want to point out to you two things:
(i) Our states have to fulfil some qualifications. They must be large enough in resources, trained personnel, etc. We cannot make any small area into a state which does not fulfil those qualifications; (ii) this applies particularly to frontier areas. We have to take special care of them, even though we are friendly with our neighbours China and Burma. We do not consider it right or desirable to make any announcement about the future. This cannot be made while the trouble created by Phizo and others continues. When there is peace and order, we can consider these matters.
One promise I can always make, because that is in accordance with our policy. We want all parts of India to develop fully and to rely upon themselves and not have interference from outside. This applies to the Naga area also. The present set‑up in the Naga Hills can be considered when the trouble is over and not before. We are prepared to evolve a new set‑up which may be considered more suitable. This will have to be done by our Parliament, but we wish to consult the Naga people fully about it when the time comes.
You feel that it will be easier for you to deal with your people if you give them something solid. I am convinced it is not safe or right to do this at the present time. It may appear as a surrender as long as trouble continues, but as soon as the trouble is over, it will be a cooperative attempt to solve the problem in the direction that the Naga people should shoulder the responsibility not only to run the Naga area but also the other areas. It involves constitutional changes. I am not a king or an emperor and cannot issue a decree. I have to go to Parliament and convince them. I think I can convince them but only at the right time and in the right way.
Our objective is to develop the area and train the people to govern themselves. The Community Projects are the basis for self‑government of areas, especially areas like yours. You have to build self-government from below and that should go on. But apart from this, when the time comes for you and us to consider what proper steps to take, I do not propose to take any steps without consulting the Naga people. I am not frightened by Phizo and company and I do not propose to deal with them.
Jasokie: What do you advise we should tell the people? They want to get independence. We have to remould the people to other ideas. We cannot offer them autonomy within Assam. They will not accept it. At the same time, we do not want to exploit hostile activity to secure a settlement.
JN: The first thing they should understand is:- (1) the method of violence and fighting will bring misery and trouble and not independence; (2) this talk of Naga independence has no relationship to modern world. I say Nagas are independent today because they are part of independent India, as India is a sovereign democratic State. I can understand you when you say that you have not had the opportunity of taking active and full part in the activities of independent India. Therefore, you should try to explain to your people that this talk of independence has landed them in trouble. You are independent, as independent as others in India and have the same individual freedom. But this is within the Union of India.
You mentioned your feelings against association with Assam. I do not rule out any proposal you may wish to make for our consideration. Only two considerations are supreme:
(1) national security; and (2) national unity. Subject to these two supreme considerations, I want the Nagas to have the fullest freedom, the exact pattern of which we can discuss and settle later.
Jasokie: The Nagas want a straight answer “yes” or “No”. Lengthy explanations make them suspicious.
JN: If the question is “Independence”, the answer is “No”. For instance, here, at our doorstep is Delhi State. It is an advanced State, but we have to deprive it of its statehood; statehood is not necessary for freedom. But I realize you have to counteract a lot of slogans thrown out by Phizo. You want self‑government for the Naga areas within the Union of India. I agree with you, but we have to consider it when the proper time comes.
Khieya: We have some followers and supporters. We do not want to fool them anymore. We want to give them a straight answer. We have told them that independence is out of the question but we want a political status and the first thing we want is unification of the Naga areas. The second thing we want is a separate state completely cut off from Assam. We must be sincere and frank with our people; otherwise 50 to 75 per cent of Nagas may perish because they are not acquainted with military operations.
JN: What is your definition of “Nagas” — Angamis, Aos or Semas? How has the term “Naga” come to cover them all?
Jasokie: Naga is a Sema word, meaning ‘Village people’.
JN: I thought the British had coined this word. Now you have different languages. There are some Nagas in Burma. Then there are Nagas in Manipur, which has been a separate state for hundreds of years. You cannot bring all these Nagas in one state and upset states that have existed for centuries. Then you talked about Assam‑ that you do not like to be associated with Assam. Am I right?
Jasokie: We want to be treated on an equal basis with Assam and not as a District of Assam.
JN: Many states in Central India are being joined in one larger state and in Western India also the same thing is happening, but nobody there thinks his status has become less by joining a biggerstate.
Silie Haralu: What we want is that the Tuensang Frontier Division and the Naga Hills District should be one administrative area for the time being and we can give it any name ‑ a state or anything else ‑ after peace has been restored.
JN: At present Tuensang Frontier Division is in NEFA. which is directly under the Centre. The Naga Hills District is an autonomous district under the Assam State administration. Our tendency is to abolish smaller states. You are suggesting something which goes against our policy. You want to create smaller states. I can understand that the Naga Hills and Tuensang Frontier Division are similar areas and should be dealt with under one administration.
Jasokie: Yes, but under a separate administration.
JN: We can consider that when the time comes.
Jasokie: We have understood your point, but we want you to understand ours. For a political platform we want a Naga state when peace is restored. You said if it is given now it will be a sign of weakness. I want to ask you “Can this be considered when peace is restored?”
JN: I am not ruling out anything when peace is restored. We will consult the Naga people and consider everything that is put up. We want the Naga people to run their own show.
T.N.Angami: We understand, but we feel pained because we will find it difficult to explain to our people who have suffered and who are still suffering.
JN: I understand. I am as anxious as you are to stop this suffering. I want to win the goodwill of the Nagas, but I do not want to bribe them. They are a proud people and I am proud also.
T.N. Angami: If the situation is prolonged for a few months more, it will wipe out the Nagas.
JN: I have told you that we want to give Nagas full measure of autonomy in consultation with them, but I cannot give you any definite promise about a political future. I could give you a state which will be the shadow of a state but lacking the substance of a state. But I do not want to do this. I want to come to Shillong and, if possible, to Kohima in the next month or two and I hope I shall meet you then.[9] I am glad you came here and am glad to have met you.
Footnotes
SOURCE: SELECTED WORKS OF JAWAHARLAL NEHRU,
SECOND SERIES, VOL. 35, pp. 142-152
New Delhi, 15 September 1956. JN Collection.
The delegation, led by John Bosco Jasokie, included T.N. Angami, Silie Haralu, Virulie Angami, K. Khieya and Satsuo Angami. They belonged to the Naga National Council Reforming Committee, which did not subscribe to the demand of A.Z. Phizo for an independent Naga state.
For Nehru’s speech in Lok Sabha on 23 August 1956 see Selected Works (second series), Vol. 34, pp. 160-172. Participating in the discussion, Rishang Keishing, Lok Sabha member from outer Manipur, said that the Government dealt with the Naga problem from a position of strength and the Naga attempts to have discussions with the Government failed because the latter had always put some conditions before the meeting. This led to violence followed by military operations in which the Army behaved ruthlessly with Naga hostiles but at the same time could not give protection to peaceful Nagas. Lastly, Keishing suggested that to solve the problem: (a) the Government should declare general amnesty and have talks with NNC representatives and others, (b) a separate administrative unit with Naga Hills, Tuensang division and Tirap Frontier region should be formed, and (c) a parliamentary delegation should visit the disturbed areas to restore goodwill and confidence. See (second series), Vol. 33, p. 176.
Thepfulo Nakhro Angami (b. 1913); served in Indian Army overseas during Second World War; in Indian Civil Service, 1946‑50; active in the political life of Nagaland since 1950; member of the Naga National Council but broke away from it in 1955 on the question of violence; helped in the formation of Naga People’s Convention and member in its Select Committee since 1957;
Chairman, Interim Body, Nagaland, 1961 -63; Speaker, Legislative Assembly, Nagaland, 1964 66; Chief Minister, Nagaland, 1966‑69; Minister of Public Works and Electricity, Nagaland, 1969‑72. Raj Kumar Kochhar, who was appointed General Officer Commanding, Assam, in April 1956, issued a declaration in May 1956 assuring full protection to those who surrendered their arms, unless they were involved in murder or heinous crimes. See also Selected Works (second series), Vol. 33, pp. 185, 187 and 189.
It was decided to set up three integrated iron and steel plants in the public sector with an initial capacity of 10 lakh tons each at Rourkela in Orissa, Bhilai in Madhya Pradesh and Durgapur in West Bengal during the Second Plan period with the help of West Germany, the USSR and the UK, respectively. Nehru was in Assam from 17 to 20 October 1956. These are the Naga leaders who helped shape the political future of the Naga people and left a legacy for generations to come.
On 15 September 1956, six Naga leaders met Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to discuss peace, political status, self-government, and the future of the Naga Hills. At a time of conflict and uncertainty, they advocated a political settlement and sought a future in which the Naga people could preserve their identity, customs, and traditions while determining how their homeland would be governed. Their discussions became part of the historical journey that eventually led to the formation of Nagaland. Remembering the past is not merely about honouring those who came before us; it is about understanding the struggles, decisions, and sacrifices that shaped the future of the Naga people.
Their story is part of our history. Their legacy belongs to future generation.
(Concluded)
Sulanthung Lotha
Ex-MLA & Former
Naga Hoho president
The post What happened when Naga leaders met PM Nehru in 1956? A conversation from the archives first appeared on Nagaland Post.