Question

Who was Phizo?

Answer 1

A.Z. Phizo was a prominent Naga leader and the key figure in the Naga separatist movement. He was the chairman of the Naga National Council (NNC) and played a central role in advocating for Naga independence from India. Under his leadership, the NNC organized a referendum in 1951, which reportedly showed that the Naga people overwhelmingly supported independence. However, the Indian government rejected the referendum's outcome. Phizo’s actions led to significant political unrest, and he was instrumental in declaring the Federal Government of Nagaland. Phizo went into exile after escaping to East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and later sought asylum in London, where he continued his campaign for an independent Naga state. His leadership remained crucial to the Naga struggle for self-determination.