NAGA MEMORANDUM TO SIMON COMMISION

NAGA MEMORANDUM TO SIMON COMMISION

Dated, 10th January. 1929.
To
The British Statutory Commision
Camp-India

Sub: Memorandum of the Naga Hills

Sir,
We the undersigned Nagas Clup at Kohima, who are the only persons at present who can voice for our people have heard with great regret that our Naga Hills is included within the Reformed Scheme of India without our Knowledge, but as administration of our Hill is continued to be in the hands of British officers and we did not consider it necessary to raise any protest in the past. Now we learnt that you have come to India as representative of the British Government to enquire into the working of the system of Government and the growth of education and we beg to submit below our view with the prayer that our Hills may be withdrawn from the Reformed Scheme and placed outside the Reforms but directly under British Govertment. We never asked for any reforms and we do not wish for any reforms.
Before the British Government conquered our country on 1879-80, we were living in a state of intermittent warfare with the assamese of the Assam Valley to North and west of our Country and Manipuris to the South. They never conquered us, nor were we ever subject to their rule. On the other hand, we were always a terror to these people. Our country within the administered area consist of more than eight regions quite different from one another, with quite different languages which cannot be understood by each other, and there are more regions 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 is poor. The occupation of our Country by the British Govertment 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 our different regions small in comparison with 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 the Hindus or Musalmans. We are looked down upon by the one for "beef" and the other for our "pork" and by both for our wabt in education, 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 and heavy taxes will have to be imposed on us, and when we cannot pay, then all hands will have to be sold and in the long run we shall have 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 recognised our private rights in it, but if we are forced to enter the council the majority of whose number is sure to belong to the other customs to supered our own customary laws which we now enjoy.
For the above reasons, we pray that the British Government will continue to safeguard our right against all encroachment from other people who are more advanced than us by withdrawing our country that we should not be thrust to the mercy of other people who could never be subject; but to leave us alone to determine ourselves as in ancient times. We claim not only the members of the " NAGA CLUP" to represent all those region which we belong viz. Angamis, Kacha Nagas, Kukis, Semas, Lothas, and Rengmas. But also other regions of Nagaland.

Signed by:
1. Nihu Angami. Head Interpreter
2. Hisalee,Peshkarr
3. Nishar Angami, Master
4. Khosaa Doctor
5. Gebo Kacha Naga, Interpreter
6. Vipunyu Angami,Potdar
7. Goyiepra Angami Treasurer
8. Ruzhukhrie Angami, Master
9. Dikrie Angami Sub-Overseer
10. Zapuzhulie Angami, Master
11. Zepulie Angami, Interpreter
12. Katsunou Angami, Interpreter
13. Nuolhoukielie Angami, Interpreter
14. Inzevi Sema, Interpreter
15. Apona Lotha, Interpreter
16. Resile Rengma, Interpreter
17. Lengjang Kuki, Interpreter
18. Nikhriehu Angami, Interpreter
19.Miakrao Angami,Chaprasi
20. Levi Kacha Naga, Clerk.