AracelyIqbal at 07:28, 30 April 2026

2026-04-30T07:28:00Z

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{{short description|Naga leader}}
{{Sources exist|date=January 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name = Imkongliba Ao
|honorific_suffix =
|order =
|office = President of the [[Naga People's Convention]]
|term_start = October 1959
|term_end = 22 August 1961
|predecessor = ''Office Established''
|birth_date =
|birth_name =
|birth_place =
|death_date = 22 August 1961
|death_place = [[Mokokchung]], [[Nagaland|Nagaland (Union Territory)]] ''{{small|(Now in [[Nagaland]], India)}}''
|nickname =
|party =
|parents =
|spouse =
|children =
|occupation =
|profession =
}}
'''Imkongliba Ao''' (died 22 August 1961) was a [[Naga people|Naga]] leader and a key figure in the movement for the statehood of [[Nagaland]] within the [[Republic of India]] and the resistance movement against Assamisation.<ref name="morungexpress1">{{cite web|url=https://morungexpress.com/dr-imkongliba-ao-founder-architech-nagaland-state |title=Dr. Imkongliba Ao – The Founder Architech Of Nagaland State|work=The Morung Express|date=7 March 2014|access-date=15 January 2024|first=Mapu|last=Jamir}}</ref>

== Career ==

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 [[Naga National Council|NNC]] and [[government of India]] had led to [[Insurgency in Nagaland|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.<ref name="morungexpress1"/>

In 1959, 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 people|Naga]] interests. This demand caught the [[Indian government]] by surprise and presented a challenge to the integration policy with [[Assam]].<ref name="morungexpress1"/>

=== 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 Ao's leadership. This decision marked a significant step towards the preservation of Naga identity within the Indian Union.<ref name="morungexpress1"/>

Despite opposition from [[Naga National Council|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 [[Nagalim|inclusion of eastern Naga areas]] from the NEFA Division into Nagaland, causing concern among Assamese politicians about [[Assam]]’s potential disintegration.<ref name="morungexpress1"/>

== Death and legacy ==
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.<ref name="morungexpress1"/>

The contributions of Ao are commemorated on August 22–24 annually. Various leaders, including the [[Governor of Nagaland]], recognized his leadership and the role he played in shaping the history of Nagaland in 2023.<ref name="morungexpress2">{{cite web|url=https://morungexpress.com/nagaland-dr-imkongliba-ao-martyrdom-day-observed|title=Nagaland: Dr Imkongliba Ao Martyrdom Day observed|work=The Morung Express|date=24 August 2023|access-date=15 January 2024}}</ref> In 2021, Nagaland Governor R.N. Ravi paid tribute, acknowledging Ao's extraordinary courage, strategic foresight, and role in uniting the Naga family. The Governor emphasized the need to build a "Nagaland of Dr. Ao’s dream".<ref name="ipr.nagaland">{{cite web|url=https://ipr.nagaland.gov.in/index.php/governor-pays-tribute-dr-imkongliba-ao|title=Governor Pays Tribute to Dr. Imkongliba Ao|publisher=Government of Nagaland Department of Information and Public Relations|date=23 August 2021|access-date=15 January 2024}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ao, Imkongliba}}
[[Category:Naga people]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing]]
[[Category:1961 deaths]]
[[Category:Assassinated people]]
{{improve categories|date=January 2024}}

Imkongliba Ao - Revision history

AracelyIqbal at 07:28, 30 April 2026