KOHIMA: A documentary shedding light on the political struggle of the Naga people premiered at deBalie, a renowned cultural venue in Amsterdam, captivating audiences with its compelling narrative.
Titled With NAGAs: Longest Modern War, the documentary provides an in-depth exploration of the political battle of the Naga community, tracing its roots back to its inception.
Produced by Kolmans Cube in association with the Naga International Support Centre (NISC) and the International Council of Naga Affairs (ICNA), and supported by various Naga organizations, the documentary chronicles the resilience of the indigenous Naga people, living in their ancestral lands bordering India, Myanmar, and China.
“This documentary reveals the truth about the hardships endured by the Nagas, first under British rule and later under India and Burma. Despite facing overwhelming odds, Naga culture stood firm against brutal invasions, defending their homeland without launching attacks on Indian soil,” read a statement from the NISC.
It further adds that the documentary strives to expose the historical injustices perpetrated by colonisers and neo-colonisers on the Naga populace and how their struggle for freedom remains largely unknown and unsupported internationally.
It accuses the United Kingdom of neglecting to address the future of the Naga homeland upon its departure from India and of remaining passive when India annexed the region, subsequently claiming it as Indian territory.
The documentary alleges that approximately 300,000 Nagas lost their lives during the conflict, yet “their plight remained largely unnoticed by the world”.
Following the screening of the documentary, which visually presented these facts, the audience erupted into a three-minute applause.
Last year, the poster of the documentary was displayed at the famous New York Times Square in Manhattan, New York.
