Reyivolu Rhakho
Kohima, Dec. 29 (EMN): A year that began with uncertainty from the ever looming Covid-19 pandemic to major political developments, the passing of Nagaland’s beloved chief secretary Temjen Toy and ending with the cancellation of Hornbill Festival due to Mon killings and creation of three new districts, 2021 has been overwhelming to say the least.
As the calendar draws to a close for the year, Eastern Mirror reflects on the major happenings throughout the year.
Of all the events, the killing of 13 civilians in Oting and one in Mon by the security forces has shaken people to their core. When Nagas were beginning to live with the atrocities meted out during the 1950s and 60s by the Indian Army, the brutal killing of 14 sons on December 4 and the 5th uncovered old wounds. Consequently, citizens within and beyond the state, took to the streets to demand for justice and pressured the government to repeal Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), which has been in force in the state since 1958.
However, the Government of India on Thursday once again tagged the whole of Nagaland as "disturbed area" and invoked AFSPA in the state with immediate effect on Dec. 30, which would be applicable till June 2022.
Following the Oting incident, the state government had constituted an SIT to probe the firing incident and a 'court of inquiry' had been ordered by the Indian Army. At the level of the Ministry of Home Affairs, a seven-member committee had been constituted to "review AFSPA" in the state, the report of which would be submitted in three months' time. Till such time, Nagaland is placed under the category of 'disturbed area'. Ten days earlier, the state assembly in its "special session" had passed a resolution seeking to revoke AFSPA in the state.
While the incident proved harrowing, major political developments that took place in the state cannot go unnoticed. The single largest opposition party Naga People's Front joined the ruling People's Democratic Alliance on account of "Naga political issue" in mid-July this year. The nomenclature of the all-party government was later re-christened as United Democratic Alliance. Prior to this decision, the government constituted a Parliamentary Committee to further pursue matters related to Naga political issue.
Barely two months into the all-party government, the then interlocutor RN Ravi was transferred and later resigned as interlocutor to the Indo-Naga peace talk. Meanwhile, the Centre assigned its new representative, former Special IB Director AK Mishra to begin negotiations with Naga political groups. He was supported by the Chief Minister of Assam and NEDA Convenor Himanta Biswa Sarma to further negotiate with the NPGs as well as act as facilitators to the peace talk. Despite a few rounds of meetings, the solution is still yet to arrive. In addition, the NSCN (IM)’s demand for a separate constitution and a separate flag remained unchanged.
In another development, NSCN (Reformation) of the Naga National Political Groups, has been split into two different groups -- NSCN (R) led by Akato Chophi and the NSCN (R) led by Y Wangtin Naga. Further, NSCN (K) Nikki signed a ceasefire agreement with the Government of India after abrogating it in 2015.
Towards the fight against Covid-19 pandemic, the vaccine for coronavirus had been rolled out nation-wide on January 16. The vaccination drive then began on the same day in Nagaland after it was launched by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima. Later on, the state government also announced the provision of free vaccines to all eligible citizens.
With vaccination in place, restrictions started to ease and schools were re-opened in February and March for both upper and lower classes after a gap of almost one year. Besides, hostels, public places, offices and other establishments resumed.
But that was short-lived as Covid positivity rate rose to 8.9% by April. Consequently, Kohima and Dimapur were declared as 'containment zones'. Hospital beds were reported ‘overwhelmed’ including that of District Hospital Dimapur by May. Shops were once again closed down and restrictions were imposed while total lockdown was imposed across the state on May 14.
Nonetheless, total lockdown was relaxed by mid June and the state government announced Unlock 1 from July onwards with resumption of more economic activities. Cases began to dip and 50% of beds reserved for Covid had been revoked and colleges re-opened by the end of the month.
While things were limping back to normalcy, the border dispute between Nagaland-Assam resurfaced in Mokokchung's Tsurangkong range after Assam police reportedly started to erect camps at Aosenden jurisdiction in July. The issue was resolved later, after the two state's chief secretaries met and signed an agreement to withdraw its respective forces from the border area to de-escalate tension along the border.
Another major incident that took place was that of the March 22 killing incident, where three persons were killed at Lamhainamdi village in Peren district on the alleged inter-district border dispute. An SIT was constituted to probe the incident and after four months of investigation, it filed a chargesheet against 19 accused on July 22.
Nagaland also witnessed deficient rainfall in 2021 leaving farmers distraught as rainfall dependent farming activities could not be taken up on time. The 'drought-like' situation was said to have happened after a gap of almost ten years according to official sources.
The upgrade of three sub-divisions to districts, namely Tseminyu, Niuland and Chumoukedima on December 18, became the 13th, 14th and 15th full-fledged districts of Nagaland. It may be mentioned that Noklak was announced as the 12th district of Nagaland in January this year. While the announcement was welcomed by many, the demarcation of boundaries particularly of Chumoukedima district, which have been created out of Dimapur district, has not appealed to some quarters of netizens.
Among many resolutions passed in the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly this year, Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Securities Interest (Sarfaesi) Act was one key point wherein a separate 'Select Committee' was constituted to review and study its application in Nagaland. Also, the report of the Commission on Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of Nagaland (RIIN) was tabled during the monsoon session as assured.
As for elections this year, there were two bye-polls that were won uncontested. For the 51-Noksen bye-election, PDA consensus candidate H Chuba Chang won the seat while at 58-Shamator-Chessore constituency, S Keoshu Yimchunger of NDPP was declared elected unopposed in April and October respectively.
While 2021 was an overwrought year, it cannot be underrated particularly in sports related activities. Though much of the activities had been withheld owing to the pandemic situation, sportpersons at the individual-level did Nagaland as well as the nation proud. Three -- Kekhrieneitso Angami, Longtsukumba Ao and Arsenba Ozukum -- won medals at the Global Association of Mixed Martial Arts (GAMMA) Asian MMA championship at Kyrgyzstan. Wrestlers from the state also won 25 medals at the national level wrestling competition. Khrievitso Kense, a cricketer from Nagaland joined Mumbai Indians as support player in IPL 2021 season and Venuzo Dawhou won Open Naga wrestling championship.
Dr. SC Jamir, former governor and five times Nagaland Chief Minister received the Padma Bhushan in November. Swedesunuo Zao Kire, head teacher of Government Middle School (GMS) in Jakhama, was the lone candidate from Nagaland, who was selected for 'National Award to Teachers, 2021.
Other infrastructural development activities that saw the light of day included RCC T-Beam Bridge over Dhansiri River in Dimapur, the first four-lane arch bridge in Kohima among many others.
Nagaland also exported various produce such as king chili, pineapple etc. outside the state.
At least eight MLAs, inclusive of incumbent and former, passed away in 2021. It may also be placed on record that less than a dozen Union ministers including Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu visited Nagaland in 2021.
As the New Year makes headway, the entire planet again tiptoes into uncertainty with cases of new Covid variant (Omicron) clouding festivities, yet the enduring spirit of hope for the better remains.