Question:When is the Naga Independence Day observed?
(a) August 7
(b) August 14
(c) August 12
(d) August 5
Answer: (b)
Related facts:
- The 74th ‘Naga Independence Day’ was celebrated in Nagaland and parts of Manipur on August 14 2020 amid a renewed push for a final solution to the long-drawn Naga political issue involving several extremist groups.
- The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) led the celebration in Nagaland by hoisting the ‘Naga national flag’, which is one of the demands made by Naga organisations for an “honourable” solution to the 23-year-old peace process.
History:
- In the year 1947, India became independent from British rule. But the Nagas under the Naga National Council wished to remain free.
- So, a Plebiscite was conducted in 1951 “99.9%” of Nagas had voted in favour of a sovereign Naga nation.
- Following this, the Nagas did not take part in the first and second general elections that were held in 1952 and 1957. Hence according to the Nagas, the Bordoloi and Hydari Agreements were not implemented.
- Nagaland had attained statehood in 1963.
- The moderates signed the Shillong Accord in 1975, seen as the first peace agreement, but the hardliners had rejected it outright and continued with the armed movement for Naga sovereignty.
By-Amar Mani Upadhyay