Naga Movement Is Political, Not Tribal: Prof A Lanunungsang Ao - Eastern Mirror
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Nagaland

Naga movement is political, not tribal: Prof A Lanunungsang Ao

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By Our Reporter Updated: Mar 25, 2017 12:14 am

Dimapur, March 24 (EMN): Of the many tribal movements to have emerged from the sub-continent’s rich conserve of tribal residents, the Naga movement is different from the other ‘tribal movements’, since it is political in nature.

This observation was shared by the retired pro-vice chancellor of Nagaland Unicversity, Prof A Lanunungsang Ao during a national seminar on “Challenges and issues of the tribals in india” held here today at Tetso College, Dimapur. The two-day seminar is an initiative of the institute’s department of Sociology and the Nagaland chapter of the NGO, Young Indians.

Delivering the keynote address, the experienced educationist pointed out that in India, the tribal narrative was dominated by challenges and unrest. Reminding that the Naga people do not have to look far, he pointed out that the Bodos in Assam, or the original (tribal) residents of Tripura were all fighting for their space after being relegated to minority status in their own lands.

“For your kind information, Naga movement is not a tribal movement. Naga movement is a political movement. But the members of that movement, they are the tribals. We will have to differentiate all these kind of things,” he told the audience.

He reminded that the Naga ‘tribals’ were not limited only to the 16 recognized tribes residing inside the state of Nagalnd. “Nagas are of almost 68 different ethnic groups (out of which 16 are in the state of Nagaland). And the Naga believes that we are one, we should be one because we are from the same source of migration.”

The professor went on to state: “Many may not agree with me but in terms of literacy rate, and in terms of the degree of change, progress during the shortest period – maybe even after Indian independence or even statehood – Naga community can be considered as one of the fastest developing or a growing community in India.

“In fact in India, in terms of demography, the growth of population, for the last almost ten years, Nagaland state – smallest, one of the tiniest states – has been recorded showing the highest growth of percentage of population. In fact we do not know that it was really true or not, but the census said.”

He however shared that a person involved in gathering census data had came to him just three day back saying: “Sir, within these few years, Nagaland state, the department of election commission initiated by the administration could detect over three lakh population who are considered to be of non-existent, fictitious names or even double entries or even those who have already died. That is one of the examples of the growth of population in this small state.”

The scholars, he pointed out, must attempt to locate ‘who are the tribals in India, try to find out their positions, how much they are neglected, how much they are exploited’. The chief problems for the tribals in India, he pointed out, were land exploitation (and displacement) and poor economic conditions.

“The tribals, especially in the context of the north east region, needs road communication or transportation, they don’t need fertilizers, they don’t need improved seeds. Secondly, they don’t need shelter. They need good health. Because hospitals are not in their village, doctors are not in their village. They can go to the hospital, they can purchase the vehicle, but they cannot make the roads. Tribal Indians need one more thing, they need proper education. If these things are considered by the government, that is one area where the tribal people can survive.”

His address was followed by paper presentations from academicians on topics ranging from gender politics to class formation in tribal societies to impact of drug and alcohol on social and health issues of Naga women.

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By Our Reporter Updated: Mar 25, 2017 12:14:16 am
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