The Nagaland Village Guards, Noklak Village celebrated its Golden Jubilee with reflection and nostalgia on 11th September, 2024 at Noklak Village Guards Post.

During the occasion, heartfelt addresses and presentations were given to the pioneers and the currently serving 34 VGs personnel.

The Jubilee witnessed a harmonious presentation of a Christian hymn ‘Rock of Ages’ by the Frontier Pipe Band, NVG Noklak.

Special Guest, P Longon, MLA, Government of Nagaland, in his address, briefed the early history of Village Guard at Pangsha and their struggles and challenges. He mentioned that the VG record is good this far and urged them to continue the good work.

Earlier, he unveiled the monolith and launched the Souvenir which was dedicated by Literature and Education Secretary, Khiamniungan Baptist Churches Association (KBCA).

SDO (Civil) Noklak, Vikhoto Richa stated that VG was formed under a very different and challenging circumstances and mentioned that the VG has always been a backbone of the District Administration. He acknowledged their service towards the nation and further requested them to stay loyal.

Nokchem L, Asst. Commandant Noklak acknowledged the VGs stating that they are the assets not a liability. He said that VGs not only fulfil the call of duty but respond to natural disaster for assistance. He urged them to be vigilant and re-dedicate their service to the public and government.

Mongoyanchu, IPS, Commandant, NVG, Tuensang informed that the salary of the Village Guards will be raised. He also highlighted on the importance of training at village base for the convenience of the VGs.

Khusho, Hd GB, Noklak Village, Ngon GB Noklak Village and Shai, Convenor Planning Committee also delivered short speech where they paid their tributes to the pioneers and the service VG personals, and further encouraged them to continue their dedication.

Earlier, the event was chaired by Jeolam and Chongkoi K, Invocation by Thengiu, Asso. Pastor, BCT, Welcome Speech by Hav. Maj. L. Bumeng, Post Commander, special Song was presented by Thang Students’ Union and Kusong Thsamve Hoikam, Vote of thanks by S. Panpan, Chairman, Noklak Village Council and benediction was pronounced Pastor Kai, Kusong Baptist Church followed by jubilation feast.

Later, Special Prayer for the VGs was conducted at Baptist Church Thang during the evening service.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FORMATION OF VILLAGE GUARDS (VG)

The legendary Village Guards was formed in 1957. Wolam, a Khiamniungan Naga village in India is recognized as the springboard where the idea of this armed organization emerged. In the olden anthropological records, Wolam is famously referred as Pangsha and in the year 1936 and 1939, the British administrators like JP Mills and Sir Charles Pawsey carried out the punitive expeditions to the Pangsha warriors with the issues related to raids and slave trades.

Around the year 1955, the Government of India had issued 12 Bore DBBL guns to some villages in Naga areas for security purposes. Likewise, six individuals of Wolam were also equipped with the 12 Bore DBBL each. On 15th February 1957, Wolam was attacked by ‘underground hostiles.’ In the defense of the village and the citizens, those individuals equipped with Government issued guns retaliated and confronted the attackers. The clash claimed the lives of at least 9 civilians. However, the brave Wolam warriors abled taking down more than 40 attackers and captured their arms. In the later years, in recognition of the valiant act, the Government awarded the prestigious ASHOK CHAKRA AWARD. The award was presented by the then Home Secretary Shri. YD. Gundevia on 24th March 1965.

The incident of 1957 at Wolam attracted the Indian administrators to survey the situation. A team led by Major R. Khating, MC, OBE, IFAS, Political Officer of the erstwhile Tuensang Frontier Division under NEFA administration visited Wolam (Pangsha). Khating initiated the proposal for the raising of 300 Nagas to be armed with 12 Bore guns under the banner ‘Tuensang Frontier Division Scouts’ and this proposal was concurred by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. On 1st March 1957 the ‘Tuensang Frontier Division Scouts’ was formally raised with the assistance of Major M.B. Rai, Ex. Gurkha Rifles. In December 1957, when the Naga Hills Tuensang Area was created by merging the Naga Hills District of Assam and the Tuensang Frontier Division of North East Frontier Agency (NEFA), the ‘Tuensang Frontier Division Scouts’ was renamed as ‘Village Defence Guards.’ The Village Guards commemorates the 1 March as ‘Raising Day.’

Interestingly, it also known that when the then Governor of Assam, Shri Jairamdas Daulatram visited Tuensang in 1955, Shri Mukom, a World War II veteran of Thang (Noklak Village) who also participated during the Indo-Pak War ’48 suggested Shri Khating to armed the young Nagas to counter ‘hostile depredations. During the Kashmir Operation of the Indo-Pak war, Mukom saw an armed Civilian Scouts assisting the Indian army and having this experience, Mukom suggested to organize the same in the Naga areas. This correspondence is recorded in a document prepared by Shri P. Ngurkhuma, the then EAC of Noklak on 19th September 1969 (refer Appendix 1).

The primary role allotted to the Village Defense Guards was the immediate security and protection of their own villages against violence to life and property. The secondary roles were; limited protective routine duties like road opening, passing of information, acting as guides and interpreters and provision of escorts to Civil Administrative Officers. (Source: Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, letter No.F-64/1/59-NU dated 25th Feb.1959). Their loyalty and dedication to the organization and their sacrifices made to the call of duty over the years have earned them the sobriquet of ‘The Guardian of the Frontier Villages.’

Since the formation, the Village Guards (at present addressed by the nomenclature Nagaland Village Guards) has spread over 320 villages across the districts like Mon, Tuensang, Noklak, Longleng, Kiphire and Meluri (Phek). In recognition of Wolam (Pangsha) as the significant place for the formation of the legendary Village Guards, the V.G. Museum-cum-Memorial was established at Wolam Nyukyan (New Pangsha) in 2007 during the event of 50th Years commemoration of the Village Guards.

*From Golden Jubilee Souvenir of NVG Noklak Village, written by Buhiu B Lam *