“I was neither dead nor alive. But when they hung me upside down, I saw the freedom of my people” General Ningkhan Shimray, Longvibu, Naga Army
THE STORY
This is a story about the 7th Longvibu- Chief of Naga Army, the first person getting promoted to general rank after the formation of NSCN/GPRN. He was kidnapped on 27 September 2010 from Kathmandu Airport by the combined team of RAW and Nepal Intelligence Agency while on the way to Delhi to attend peace talk and was released on 3 August 2016.
“I did not plan to be a General. My plan was that I would serve for only a few years and die as a hero. As a Naga revolutionary. As a Naga freedom fighter. I would die as a hero” stated General Ningkhan Shimray.
Anthony Ningkhan Shimray of Tashar Village joint NSCN/GPRN on April 1, 1981 and after 40 years of service, on March 21, 2020 he was promoted to general rank. The first full General from the Tangkhul community.
HIS TESTIMONY
General Anthony Ningkhan Shimray stated “I give my highest salute to the people. I cannot claim honour for being promoted to the rank of a general. The honour belongs to the people,” he had said when he was felicitated by Tashar Village for his promotion on February 3, 2021 in the presence of thousands of well wishers.
“My story is about living through bloodshed, tears, jail, fasting and prayers while getting tortured and hit by bullets by the enemy. Being promoted to the rank of a General after 40 years, some might give it very high importance but to me, I can only recollect the suffering and sadness, endless pain and anguish to get here. I have enough stories of bullet wounds and torture in the hands of the enemy. I do not want to share such stories but I want to share the stories of how I live, how God lifted me up, how God saved me, how God moulded me, how God made me an Army Chief.
“To share this story, I would like to give my respect to the honourable Ato Kilonser, Th. Muivah and late Chairman Isaac Chisi Swu. Because they have been my mentors about God and politics in my life. The moment I joined the movement, under their leadership, I went for missions. I was part of the battles. Amongst all these, what I imagined and planned to serve our people turned out to be very different from God’s plan. I did not plan to be a general. My plan was that I would serve for only a few years and die as a hero. As a Naga revolutionary, as a Naga freedom fighter, I would die as a hero. That, I would never give up on my people.”
REFINED BY ALMIGHTY
“I was refined by God in the furnace with tears and blood. There was no joy in that suffering. There may be some level of happiness for getting the rank of General. But, the journey was painful.
“One of my most painful moments was when I was tortured by being put in a sack, pouring water over me to extract information. They hung me upside down but I did not utter a word. They commented that I was brainwashed by Muivah and that there was no point in trying to get information from me. Even after getting wounded by five bullets, they continued to torture me. I was put in a sack because they could not hit me and they poured water to suffocate me. I was neither dead nor alive. But when they hung me upside down, I saw the freedom of my people.”
ARM CONSIGNMENT MISSION
“For the first time in 1993 in Naga history, we brought arms through the sea. We had no navigation skill, and the compass which I bought was spoiled. Without navigational skill, we were in the sea for two weeks. God led us back to our destination. Our plan was to travel through Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Bay of Bengal. We were traveling with great zeal for the freedom of the Nagas but we ended up stuck right in the middle of the sea. Three of our engines broke down. Whatever I knew, my wisdom, my abilities were all useless at that point. I repented and confessed and God spoke to me through Psalm 50:15 “Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” He told me that He could deliver me not for my glory, not for Nagas’ glory but for His glory. After we prayed, repented and confessed, the ship engine started working and we completed the mission.”
“Thus, becoming a General is not an achievement. But, to God what he wanted was for me to bow down, confess my mistakes and submit to Him.”
JAIL AND HEALING TOUCH
“I have been jailed many times. When I was in Imphal jail, I was wounded and treated badly by one commander belonging to the Manipur Rifles in the jail. The doctor advised me to amputate my leg because it was infested with maggots. I refused. That I would die or live with my legs and go to heaven with my legs.”
“One afternoon, around 3:30, when I was in the hospital of the jail, I heard a voice, “do you want healing? Everyone who believes in God will be healed.” Then, a couple came and asked me whether I wanted to be healed. I asked whether it was from God or man. They replied they were from God. They were dressed like doctors in white coats. I was not dreaming. I was not sleeping. I was wide awake. They asked me whether I was Anthony. After confirming my identity, they told me that they were doctors sent by God because of my prayer and that, I would be operated on. I replied, “anything that comes from God, I am ready.” I laid there awake while they operated on my leg. The inmates could not see them but I could see the whole process of the operation that took 30 minutes. The doctors told me that I would not survive if my leg was not amputated. My father, to save me, told me to amputate my leg. That is human wisdom and power. But God sent healers to operate upon me. After the operation, the couple told me that they had done what they ought to do and from that day, I would be healed but (gave a condition) that God treated and healed me and never to forget why He did so and never to betray God. That I was fighting for Nagaland for Christ, a righteous cause and never to betray that. After that, slowly, I became aware of my surroundings and I asked the other inmates whether they saw the angels. They called me crazy. “you were speaking alone in English.” I told them that I had been operated by two angels sent by God.
“I was interrogated for 30 days at Tihar jail without sleep. I would not like to repeat how I was tortured and harassed. I kneeled and prayed, “why me Lord when there is ongoing peace talk? Why did you hand me to the enemy?” But, God had a different plan. Something that is beyond human comprehension. While being tortured, they took away my Bible. I told them that I would not cooperate if my Bible was not returned. So, for three days I did not utter a word. After three days, they returned my Bible. Without Christ, without the living God, where is my story, where is my politics? Without Christ as the basis of my story, what is my life, what can I do? I do not have a story.”
Isaiah 48:10 “See, I have refined you, though not as silver, I have tested in the furnace affliction” I was angry while reading the verse. I was being tortured. I am not scared of dying for our people and God.
PEOPLE’S VOICE
“When I was arrested on September 27, 2010 and released on August 3, 2016, it was because of your prayers that I was released. It was the prayers of all the Nagas all over the world. You have supported me and demanded for my release because you believe in the movement of NSCN.”
“I really want to share that I am promoted to general because of your support. Had I not been released, I would not have been promoted. If I could, I would distribute this medal to all the Nagas who prayed for me, rallied for me and saved me. Thus, how can I claim that the title of the General is solely mine. It would indeed be stupid.
“I want to express my gratitude to Naga people, when India gave an ultimatum in October, 2019., you stood up and rallied for the Naga flag and constitution, and not to submit a solution without our flag and constitution. The power of the people’s movement is here and this is why I am coming back to you today.”
GENERAL OF NAGALIM FOR CHRIST
“I am happy because I am a general of Nagalim for Christ. And I am happy I served the leader who believes and bases his life on the living God. Let us never forget that we have a vision. Our service could end but God’s plan will surely come to fruition.”
AWARD AND APPOINTMENT AS LONGVIBU
General Anthony Ningkhan Shimray received the highest Presidential Award in 1993 and participated in several rounds of peace talks.
He was appointed as the Longvibu on November 28, 2017 and on March, 21, 2020 promoted to general rank, the first person getting promoted to general rank after the formation of NSCN/GPRN. The first full General from Tangkhul community and a recipient of Military Cross, the highest award in Naga Army.
After 40 years in service and after being tested and tried in many ways, he was awarded this prestigious title. For many who know him, his love for the Naga Nation is an open book.
“The Naga Army is in the safe hands of General Anthony Ningkhan Shimray” stated Maj. Gen. LA Wungyip (MM) of Naga Army.
NAGA MOVEMENT ROOTED IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD
During a consultative meeting held on February 4, 2021 at Ukhrul Headquarters, Naga Army, General Anthony Ningkhan Shimray stated that “Just as Moses, Muivah with conviction walked with God. So was Chairman late Isaac Chishi Swu. Nagas are a people who are constantly seeking God’s kingdom.”
“Naga’s freedom movement is rooted in the kingdom of Christ. Many of you are aware of the political aspect but not this part. We complain a lot but we do not seek God’s way. If I have to say it, the talk between India and Naga is complete but what remains is the promised land. The issue is no longer between India and Nagas but between God and the Nagas. It is between NSCN and God. Why it took so many years. When we are almost there, why are we facing stumbling blocks? Why can’t we move forward or backward? Because Naga people are yet to reach God’s purpose. God’s plan and Naga people’s plan are in conflict.
“In every kingdom, there is law, a process. We cannot build God’s kingdom with our laws, our customs or ways. We have to submit to laws, nature and order of the kingdom of God. Today, God is refining us.
“Though, I am the Army Chief, I don’t sleep holding AK 47. I sleep with the Bible. The same is with the rest of the leaders. Our source of strength comes from God.
“If God is for us, there is nothing to be afraid of. We can defeat our enemy. If God is for you, there is nothing to worry about. God is with us yesterday and today but the problem is that we are not sincere in our faith. Our solution is in the hands of God. Why is there a delay? Because, instead of seeking God’s plan, we want to do things our way.”
NEGOTIATION BASED ON GOD’S PLAN
“Manipur and Nagaland are colonies of India and not a state. It is a colony of Bharat. To build a modern state, we are in peace talk with India, it is not to build a Hindustan state. When we reflect on our resources, we already have enough to build a state, a sovereign nation.
“Our chief negotiator, Th. Muivah is negotiating based on God’s plan There is disunity among us and God wants us to reconcile.”
ON RECONCILIATION
“Forum For Naga Reconciliation (FNR) is working very hard, it is very easy to say you should reconcile. But it is more complicated than that. Unless, one admits his mistake it is not easy. How can we reconcile with someone who refuses to acknowledge his mistakes or errors.”
ON NAGA SOLUTION
While addressing the public at a consultative meeting held at Ukhrul Headquarters on 4 February, 2021 General Ningkhan Shimray had stated, “One Talk, One Solution with the Government of India (GoI)” was what was promised to us by the then Indian Prime Minster Narasimha Rao.”
“Solution will arrive soon. While some Nagas are marching towards the promised land, there are some groups who want to go back to Egypt. God will judge us if we betray our people.
“The message is clear. It will not be because of Naga’s strength or ability but by God’s way, desire and power. God alone can give freedom and victory to the Nagas.”
ON PEACE IN THE FRONTIER
“Jayaprakash Narayan said, “it is far better for india to keep friendly people at the frontier rather than unfriendly people in times of foreign aggression.”
“For India, it is better to have a friendly partner with those in the frontier. Without a political solution between India and NSCN, there is a threat to the defense, security and economy of India. India wishes to become a superpower. But without a solution with Naga, it will be in vain.”
(This article is a reproduction of General Ningkhan’s speech on 3 February, 2021 at Tashar and 4 February 2021 at Ukhrul Headquarters)
