indigenousnagaland #14 — Youngest General

An officer of the British Allied Forces asked of a Naga kid to fetch water for him; the boy immediately summoned his friends and gave them an instruction while he himself stood beside the officer and the next thing the officer saw was a sight of a group of kids in absolute military formation, with the water pots at their front.

The kid grew up to become the youngest General of the Naga army, late General Kaito Sukhai (1933-1968), who left for the heavenly abode at a young age of 35. He, amid security tensions, hoisted the first Naga National Flag at Kohima on 14th August 1947, one day ahead of Indian Independence.

He, along with a nucleus of only 16 men, was alone at the initial stage... then a new organization emerged under the name and style of Naga Home Guards, headquartered at Hoshepu village, Nagaland. Late Kaito has prepared mentally and physically and declared armed revolt against the Indian occupational government on 23rd March 1955.

Nature, by virtue of its discretion, has sent forth a leader at an appointed time for certain delegated tasks. Late Kaito plunged into active role in the Naga National Movement in 1951, the year the Naga Plebiscite was conducted under the leadership of Late A.Z. Phizo, the then President of Naga National Council (NNC). The Naga Plebiscite was taken on May 16, 1951, where 99 percent voted for Naga sovereignty, as opposed to joining the Indian Union.

One year after the Plebiscite, in 1952, with India's sponsored threats and intimidation abound, the Assam Rifles concentrated the Naga public in the Zunheboto local football ground. On this occasion, Kaito, along with other 37 men, thwarted India's suppressive activities against the core Activitists.

During his one year stay (1951) in Shillong, he mobilized the Nagas for the promotion of solidarity towards the Naga National Movement. He had already canvassed and organized a band of men before he - under the pretext of schooling - left Nagaland for Shillong (India's northeast educational hub, in Meghalaya). The Indian Government took exception to his secret mission and hunted for him.

He sold some household food items to nearby villages, on old British road to Kohima, to purchase arms and ammunition. The bulk of the weapons, however, came from the World War II leftovers.

The Satakha post was attacked and the whole stock of arms and ammunition were seized, and 78 Assam Armed Police were captured alive. The captives were sent back to their lands telling them not to fight on Naga soil any more.

The Indian Government announced rewards in the form of Mahavir Chakra for anyone who could kill or capture General Kaito Sukhai. In 1956, the Indian army post at Zungtu was dramatically maneuvered: General entered the camp in disguise of a teacher. With his pistol pointed at the camp commander, he said, “It’s me, Kaito Sukhai the General”. The Commander was coerced to instruct his jawans (troops) not to move and it was complied. The jawans watched as the General’s men entered the camp and walked away their arms.

In 1960, General has been watching army choppers frequently landing at Phor Army post (Pochuri near Burma border). He men were equipped with guns, arrow, and dao to attack the post. Just before the attack was carried out, three choppers appeared and hovered above their heads. Making themselves sure of proper defenses the bullets were directed towards the flying objects. They immediately brought down two of the three choppers. The third one was yet another big catch. Their eyes feasted on the thriller scene.

The drama ended with the capture of the pilots and the crew - nine men in total. Five of them were given freedom and sent to Imphal, in the absence of General who wasn't happy about it, while the other four were detained.

In 1962, General went to East Pakistan for military training, as well as to acquire more arms. He and his troops went on foot without food. In Pakistan, General Kaito left his men behind and went to London to attend the Round Table Conference. He was warmly received at Heathrow airport by the British people. During his stay in London he visited Scotland for hunting. He left an impressive mark as British pressmen put it “the most tactical hunter and shooter, the best marksman.”

General Kaito was awarded by the Association of Allied Veterans the prestigious title of “Burma star” in London in 1962. He was recognized as the “Youngest General” in the world, and the British styled him a statesman and a born General.

During this tour he was invited by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to broadcast the Naga political struggle for their sovereignty. In this same trip he also met with A.Z. Phizo, the then President of the Naga National Council (NNC), who was then stationed in London. In course of their meeting the General expressed his dissatisfaction over the President’s achievements abroad.

Kaito Sukhai

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