Back to the Future? Congress was nowhere in Nagaland during Emergency

Vamuzo was arrested and taken to Assam, Shillong Accord came in Nov 1975 

New Delhi 

Emergency was black chapter in the history of Independent India. Civil liberties were curbed, fundamental rights suspended, media kept under censorship and opposition leaders were jailed. But it is no rocket science that the Indian National Congress as a party was nowhere in Nagaland during the Emergency in 1975.

The Congress came much later. After the Emergency, first came the UDF government in 1977 under Vizol. His simplicity and honesty made him a leader of a different era completely. Southern Angami II assembly segment and the regional politics would be always proud of him.

Vamuzo

S C Jamir became Chief Minister for the first time in 1980 heading a ULP Ministry. However, the Congress made entry into Nagaland at a later stage with a bang.

And it is a matter of fact that Jamir became the first Congress chief minister on Nov 17, 1982.C Chongshen from Tuensang region and E T Ezung became Speaker and Deputy Speaker of thefifth Nagaland legislative assembly.

Thus, years later Congress leaders would say India's grand old party came into Nagalandwhen Indira Gandhi was immensely popular.

In retrospect, one can say 1974-95 was a truly turbulent period in Indian politics andas much in Nagaland. Some of it may not be understood today. ...It was a different era. In fact, on June 25, 1975 when Emergency came, Nagaland was already under President's Rule.

'Nagaland Page'

The Naga Nationalists Organization (NNO) was an influential party then with key leaders aroundHokishe Sema, S C Jamir and T N Angami, also a former Chief Minister.The NNO leaders had passed a Resolution at Pfutsero General session affirming that Naga underground are not hostiles but an integral part of the Naga family and they should be treated as such. 

But this landmark resolution was allegedly not implemented by the NNO government. Differences arose within the party and the dissident group headed by T N Angami was expelled.Along with him, important leaders S C Jamir, Govinda Paira and also K Vitsonei, who later became Speaker,were also expelled. 

Blogger and Vamuzo: 1990s/ 'Naga Banner' newspaper office

The Nagaland state assembly was dissolved that year (1975) on May 20th. Prior to that J B Jasokie as ChiefMinister was toppled and the Assembly was suspended for a while from 22 March, 1975.

Well, that was perhaps the beginning of an ugly period of Naga politics when legislators started changing sides at the drop of a hat. Late Vamuzo later called it the politics of 'habitual defectors encouraged by muscle flexing and money power of Congress leaders'.

In fact during a trial of strength, Late Jasokie had said on the floor of the Assembly on March 20, 1975 that three of his ministers and seven MLAswere forcibly detained by the opposition. It perhaps started a few days back when on March 17, 1975, Rokonicha was unanimously elected Deputy Speaker. 

But the next day he resigned. Between March 18 and March 20 (1975), hectic political activities followed punctuated with 'defection' from one side to another.

Another kind of 'dark phase' of power politics had started in Nagaland. Jasokie couldnot take up his motion of confidence as directed by Governor as the House soon plungedinto pandemonium and utter chaos. The House was adjourned and the assembly was put undersuspended animation and later on May 20, 1975 the House was dissolved. 

So when on June 25, 1975, Emergency was proclaimed by Indira Gandhi, Nagaland was experiencing the first spell of President's Rule.The state Governor was L P Singh and it is worth mentioning for records that the much controversial the Shillong Accord was signed on Nov 11, 1975.

The Indian government was represented by Governor L P Singh and he was assisted by M L Kampani, Joint secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and also M. Ramunny.NNC president A Z Phiso was already 'in exile in London' since 1956, as officials would state. 

Emergency in Nagaland also marked the arrest of prominent regionalist leader Vamuzo, who was taken to Nagaon jail in Assam. Post-Emergency in the Lok Sabha polls, veteran Hokishe Sema lost to Rano Shaiza giving Nagaland its first woman lawmaker. Ms Shaiza had polled 124, 627 votes (51.68 percent) and Hokishe could poll only 116, 527 votes. 

ends