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| Kaito and Naga rebels |
New Delhi
"There are memories that time does not erase…...".
― 'City of Heavenly Fire'
The new generation may not understand the term 'Aduli'. It used to be commonly used even in Nagaland besides Assam as another word for 50 paisa or 8 anas those days.
It's not a fictional page of our social life one is referring to. It's hard politics. Real talks; the Naga peace talks between Gen K S Thimayya of Indian army and Kughato Sukhai who was then Angh of the Sumi region.
The date - September 18th and the year was 1956. Old timers may know or have heard about the famous Thimayya and Kughato meeting to resolve the Naga issue.
Those were turbulent days and the parleys were possible only because both sides had agreed to have a truce for about a week.
It was later reported and told and retold to many youngsters of the time that during the meeting as the progress towards reconciliation and peace looked 'remote'; Gen Thimayya placed one 50 paisa coin on the table.
Yes, it was good old 'Aduli' -- do you get the meaning - half a rupee coin!
This was a symbolic gesture. Indian general's half-a-rupee coin implied - Nagas would not get 100 percent freedom and anything less than that could be negotiated across the table.
The Naga leaders and other writers of the time have recorded more than once how stubborn and single minded 'determined' Khugato was in his entire approach to the Naga issue.
Thimayya's symbolism was grasped well by the Naga team led by Kughato and he is said to have soon placed an one rupee coin rejecting the 'offer' of 50 percent.
The talks failed and old timers said the much expected meeting served no purpose.
Kughato was later the Prime Minister of FGN and brother of perhaps more famous 'Gen' Kaito.
According to the book, 'The World's Youngest General' published by Maurice Wylie Meda publication in Ireland; Nihoi Jakhalu, assistant to DC, Zunheboto, had accompanied Gen Thimayya to Ghukiye village for peace talks.
It may be mentioned that NNPG convener N Kitovi Zhimomi also hails from Ghukiye village. This falls under Satakha assembly constituency.
The meeting had begun on a solemn but positive note with Gen Thimayya, the only Indian to command an Infantry brigade in battle during the Second World War, putting a few questions to Kughato.
One such query was - "What do you think of the future of Nagas?"
Kughato in his typical flamboyant style responded saying - "The future of Nagas is bright; if only the Government of India leave them alone".
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Gen Thimayya tried to reason - "The Government of India has sent me here to understand your desire".
Kughato's answer among other things was - "The present freedom movement is an not an issue of an individual."
Like Kughato, his combat brother 'Gen' Kaito was also single minded kind of a person who gave glimpses of his anguish once over A Z Phizo's approach on the Nsga movement to Scato Swu, who also held the post of FGN President once.
In his book 'Hails and Blames', Scato Swu writes - "The outcome of London visit (of 'Gen' Kaito and 'Maj Gen' Mowu) was disappointing". The reference was to their interaction with A Z Phizo in London in March 1962.
Kaito also had insisted - "Nagaland must have an Army Government to attract more attention of the outside world".
In fact, Swu also recalled - "Gen Kaito had irresistible determination to declare Army government in the face of a strong opposition by Prime Minister Kughato and me (Swu as President) for about two years".
However, Gen Kaito went ahead with his plans and floated a separate 'Army Government' on Nsgas on June 17, 1968 at Litami.
"Most unfortunately, an unidentified person assassinated him (Kaito) on August 4, 1968 at Kohima market place bringing the end to the Army Government," Swu wrote. (Page 65 - Hails and Blames)
ends
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