Despite under India’s governance, every year Nagas continue to celebrate August 14 as the Naga Independence Day.

On 14 August 1947, one day before India gained its independence, Nagas declared the independence of Naga region. The declaration was informed telegraphically through cable to the King of England, Government of India and the Secretary General of the United Nations Organisations from the Head Post office Kohima. Prior to that, the Naga National Council (NNC) which was formed in 1946 had submitted two Guardian Power memorandums to the British government in 1947 appealing for the Nagas’ right to self-determination. The NNC delegation would then make a trip to Delhi and visit Mahatma Gandhi on July 19, 1947 with an 11 point memorandum.

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On 16th May 1951, the Nagas re-affirmed their claim for self-determination through a Plebiscite where 99.9 % of the Naga population voted for an Independent Naga land. A report by NNC recorded that the mass scale killings by India began in 1953 and by 1956 where 347 Nagas were killed while 2000 died due to torture and starvation under the hands of the Indian troops. Between 1955-1956 itself, 26,598 houses were burned and 204 villages were attacked and 11,811 Nagas were beaten and tortured most of whom were maimed for life.

The infamous draconian law Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 (AFSPA) was then enacted to quell the intensifying Naga National movement.

Several talks and agreements have been initiated since then, with the latest being the signing of the Framework Agreement of August 3, 2015.

While the demand of self determination has not materialised, August 14 is commemorated to honor the unique history of Nagas and pay tribute to the sacrifices of the many Nagas who died for a free Naga nation.