User:Sailingsmooth5/Imkongliba Ao

Dr. Imkongliba Ao (died August 22, 1961) was a prominent Naga leader and a key figure in the movement for the statehood of Nagaland within the Republic of India and the resistance movement against Assamization.

Early Life and Background
Details about Dr. Imkongliba Ao's early life are limited. However, his impact on the Naga movement for statehood is well-documented.

Naga Movement and Statehood
Dr. Ao played a pivotal role in the resistance against the Assamisation of Naga Hills and the fight for the separation of Nagaland from the province of Assam.

Prior to his rise to prominence, conflict between the NNC and government of India had led to mass insurgency and human rights violations. Through the formation of the Naga People's Convention, he resisted the economic suppression and militarization imposed by the Indian army, which included burning, grouping, and re-location of villages. The struggle and sacrifices of these pioneers granted the Nagas an identity and status.

In 1959, Dr. Imkongliba Ao served as the President of the third Naga People’s Convention (NPC) held in Mokokchung. During this convention, a demand was formulated for the constitution of Naga Hills as a full-fledged new state, to be named Nagaland, with provisions for autonomy to safeguard Naga interests. This demand caught the Indian government by surprise and presented a challenge to the integration policy with Assam.

Establishment of Nagaland
Recognizing the democratic urges of a reasonable section of the Nagas, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru moved the Indian Parliament in August 1960 to constitute Nagaland as a new state. The establishment of Nagaland was a response to the demand presented by the Naga People’s Convention under Dr. Ao's leadership. This decision marked a significant step towards the preservation of Naga identity within the Indian Union.

Despite opposition from Naga secessionists, the creation of Nagaland as the 16th state of the Indian Union laid a foundation for autonomy under Article 371(A) of the Constitution. This period also saw the inclusion of eastern Naga areas from the NEFA Division into Nagaland, causing concern among Assamese politicians about Assam’s potential disintegration.

Contemporary Opinions
The Naga Hills were a violent region at the time Dr Ao became president of the NPC. His critics claimed that the state he helped form would collapse either due to internal or external factors. Furthermore, the government of Assam looked at the state with hostility, seeing it as an attempt to divide their state, leading to future clashes. Lastly, the NNC violently opposed the movement, denouncing the NPC as traitors due to their cooperation with the government

Martyrdom and Legacy
Dr. Imkongliba Ao was assassinated on August 22, 1961, at Mokokchung, likely by the NNC. His contributions to the peaceful development of Nagaland were overshadowed by subsequent events, and his legacy often went unrecognized.

Commemoration and Recognition
The sacrifices and contributions of Dr. Imkongliba Ao were commemorated on August 24 annually. Various leaders, including the Governor of Nagaland, recognized his visionary leadership and the role he played in shaping the history of Nagaland.

On his 62nd martyrdom day in 2021, Nagaland Governor R.N. Ravi paid tribute, acknowledging Dr. Ao's extraordinary courage, strategic foresight, and role in uniting the Naga family. The Governor emphasized the need to build a Nagaland in line with Dr. Ao's vision—a prosperous state with unlimited opportunities for growth and fulfillment.

In contemporary history, Dr. Imkongliba Ao's contributions were often overlooked, and the heroes of Nagaland were not given due recognition. Nagaland emerged as the 16th state of the Indian Union on December 1, 1963, marking the culmination of the struggle initiated by leaders like Dr. Ao.