67 year old Pakhiu from Choklangan village remembers the day when he was enlisted in the Naga National Council (NNC) in the year 1983 where he served for 22 years as a Naga National worker.
Sharing the painful struggles during the days they would hide in the jungle for the cause of freedom, Pakhiu recalls how they were betrayed by someone. With the Indian army in close proximity who came searching for them, it became difficult for Pakhiu and his comrades stay in their house, compelling them to flee to the jungle.
“Many of my friends died along the way. There were days when we would starve for many days and night without food. Women would hidingly bring food to us, so that was the only time we were able to eat,” says Pakhiu.
With the uncertainties, there was no specific time when the women would get the opportunity to bring food to them. Sometimes they would go on for days without food.
“The goal was not about surviving the hunger which we could bear, but most importantly not to die in the hands of the Indian army. It was not just the Indian army we were fighting against but against starvation, diseases and the cold seasons. We could not even make fire lest we might get caught,” remarks Pakhiu.
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He recalls how women also played a very important role in the contribution of Naga freedom movement.
“Women were least suspected, so they would cleverly pack food while going to fields and made sure they smuggle it to the men, fighting for the cause of freedom, and taking shelter in the jungle,” shares the Veteran. In an unfortunate incident, Pakhiu recollects, that a pregnant woman was once caught by the Indian army while attempting to provide food to the men. She was taken to Tuensang jail and that was where she gave birth, he says.
AZ Phizo, the then President of NNC, arrived to their land during the peak Naga movement. With Phizo’s life constantly in danger, he was once kept hidden somewhere in a cave between Kingjung and Tsoiphu village. “Fighting for the Naga freedom was very important and for evey Naga because Nagas do not in any way share history, culture, ethnicity, or ancestral land with Indians,” he expresses
Due to declining health and later appointed as GB of his village, Pakhiu retired from the NNC in the year 2005.
“It is sad to see numerous factions which will only lead to the loss of true vision,” says Pakhiu. However, the 67 year old veteran strongly believes that the pains they had gone through, the sacrifice very nation worker made for Naga freedom movement will not go in vain.
