Simon Commission (10th Jan 1929) To The Indian Statutory Commission, Camp India. MEMORANDUM ON NAGA HILLS. Sir, We, the undersigned Nagas of the Naga Club at Kohima, who are the only persons at present who can voice for our people have heard with great regret that our Hills were included within the Reformed Scheme of India without our knowledge, but as the Administration of our Hills continued to be in the hands of the British Officers we did not consider it necessary to raise any protest in the past. Now, we learnt that you have come to India as representatives to the British Government to inquire into the system of working of Government and the growth of education that our Hills may be withdrawn from the reforms. We never asked for any reforms and we do not wish for reforms. Before the British Government conquered our country in 1879-1880 we were living in a state of intermittent warfare with the Assamese of the Assam valley to the North and West of our country and Manipuries to the South. They never conquered us, nor were we ever subjected to their rule. On the other hand we were always a terror to those people. Our country within the administered area consists of more than eight Tribes quite different from one another with quite different Languages which cannot be understood by each other, and there are more Tribes outside the administered Area which are not known at present. We have no unity among us and it is only the British Government that is holding us together now. Our education at present is poor. The occupation of our country by the British Government being so recent as 1880 we have had no chance or opportunity to improve in education and though we can boast of two or three graduates of an Indian University in our country, we have not got one yet who is able to represent all different Tribes or our languages much less one to represent us in any Council of a Province, However, our population of the Hills numbering 1,02000 is very small in comparison with the population of the Plains District in the province and any representation that may be allotted to us in the Council will be negligible and will have no weight whatever. Our language is quite different from those of the Plains and we have no social affinities with either Hindus or Muslim. We are being looked down upon by one of our ‘Beef’ AND THE OTHER FOR OUR ‘PORK’ and both for our want in education which is not due to any fault of ours. Our Country is poor and it does not pay for its Administration. Therefore if it is continued to be placed under the reformed Scheme, we are afraid that new heavy taxes will have to be imposed and in the long run we shall no share in the land of our Birth and life will not be worth living then. Though our land at present is within the British Territory, Government have always recognized our Private Rights in it, but if we are forced to enter the Council the majority of those member is sure to belong to other districts. We also much fear the introduction of Foreign Laws and customs to supersed(suppress (sic) our own Customary laws which we now enjoy. For the above reasons, we pray that the British Government will continue to safeguard our rights against all encroachments from other people who are advanced than us by withdrawing our country from the Reformed Scheme and placing it directly under its own protection. If the British Government, however want to throw us away, we pray that we should not be thrust to the mercy of the people who could never have conquered us themselves, and to whom we are never subjected; but to leave us alone to determine for ourselves as in the ancient times. We claim (not only the members of the Naga Club) to represent all those Tribes to which we belong viz: Angami, Kacha-Nagas, Kukis, Semas, Lotha and Rengmas. Signed by:- 1. Neihu Angami : Head Interpreter 2. Rheichalie Angami : Peshkar 3. Neisier Angami : Master 4. Khosa Angami : Doctor 5. Gepo Angami : Interpreter 6. Vipunyu Angami : Potdar 7. Goyapra Angami : Treasurer 8. Razhukries Angami : Master 9. Dikhrie Angami : Sub-Overseer 10. Zapuzhulie Angami : Master 11. Zepulies Angami : Interpreter 12 Khatsulo Angami : Interpreter 13. Levi Zeliang : Clerk 14. Nuolhoukielie Angami : Clerk 15. Nizhuvi Sema : Interpreter 16. Apomo Lotha : Interpreter 17. Resilo Rengma : Interpreter 18.Lengjang Kuki : Interpreter 19.Neikhriehu Angami : Interpreter 20.Miakra-o Angami : Chaprasi
Posted on: Fri, 09 Aug 2013 02:15:24 +0000
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