Nagaland, once the star of the east, is now enveloped by the thick fold of darkness, as the Naga society is sunk in factionalism, tribalism, sectarianism and egotism.
Nagaland, once the star of the east, is now enveloped by the thick fold of darkness. How dismal the night people of Nagaland are embroiled in. The story of dry bones by Ezekiel is exhibited in reality in today’s Nagaland. Today we stand in a valley of dry bones. On all sides as eye could reach, there are scattered heaps of dry bones. And what are these dry bones? Obviously, exhausted and perhaps outdated political ideology totally divorced from reality, lifeless and redundant political gimmickry or polemic denuded of flesh and blood, creeds and characters which had once lived and moved but are now dry bones. How sad to see the grim reality of Naga society which has sunk so deeply in factionalism, tribalism, sectarianism and egotism slaying truth and love which were prized by the Nagas are no longer there. This was a distressing sight, so distressing because under the bones were buried all hope, aspiration and values and morals!
The fire of patriotism that had once stirred the minds and souls of a generation of the Nagas, but now mere dry bones. How sad to tell the grim spectacle of the present Naga society which is totally embroiled in a terrible mess. Truth (which) was once the distinct attribute of Naga character is now filling the valley of the earth with dead and dry bones.
As we roll down the stream of forties to modern, in this beautiful land of the Nagas, we are indeed grieved or pained to find how amidst fast changing world and our eyesight that assures us of its reality; no amount of forced logic can dim the clearness of our vision or make us skeptical about the reality of the light but instead of updating their strategy to keep abreast with the contemporary political realities, most of our leaders, especially the underground leaders, continue to live in a world of their own creation totally divorced from the realities. It is regrettable to witness that, while speaking the future of Nagaland, almost all leaders especially the underground leadership are in the habit of dwelling in more of imaginary and fanciful ideas by more of what men wish or dream of than facts warrant.
It shall be a terrible blunder if we soar into the height of fancy, and looming at a distance while talking about the future of Nagaland. We should not allow mere wish to be the father to thought in this matter. While planning and designing the future, we have to avoid all imaginary schemes and poetical sentiments and accept and recognise the light of the actual facts that are prevalent in the contemporary world. Certainly, due respect and importance be given to history, as it portrays the actual manifestation of the human mind, and give as accurate data for all our reasoning about its future action. It is indeed useful that we can build the future with the aid of the past.
Another distinctive feature of the Naga society is much worse than the previous narrative. The people are in a state of complete depression and prostration, groaning under the crushing weight of multiple authorities both constitutional as well as extra-constitutional that are functioning at their whims and fancies only. Consequently, governance of the state had been totally paralysed. In fact it is in delirium. Nagaland has become free for all the authorities but no freedom for the people. The common people see nothing in the society but darkness within and without and they have just retained vitality just sufficient to feel their utter helplessness and hopelessness.
Added to these menace, gun culture had created fear psychosis in the minds of the people at large. How sad to see the fair name of Nagaland once adored by our neighbours, had been defaced beyond recognition during the last two decades of underground movement. At this critical juncture, at least we are happy to see a silver lining in the dark landscape of Naga political conundrum. The general public and the youths of Nagaland in particular is beginning to realise that the past cannot be the ruler of the present and the contemporary political, economic and social realities must give way to something higher and nobler in keeping with the rest of the world. People should no more roam through a desert of dreary rationalism, dreary idealism with unseen and shadowy vastness overhanging us, but the people should now fix their minds on reality and fulfil their desired goal or objective.
Ugly and black spot of Naga polity
The sanctity and majesty of Naga political struggle was once recognised and reckoned with honour by the country and the world. But new leaderships of the underground deviated and abandoned the policy of the NNC and instead religiously followed Mao Tsutong’s philosophy, i.e, “Power emanates from the barrel of the gun.” Including their own cadres, the new leadership started eliminating leaders who disagreed with their ideology. Ultimately, the Naga political movement was shipwrecked in the mid way and its organisation was disintegrated into factions and started floating hither and thither. The sordid feature of this shipwreck was mushrooming of underground factions into 28. There are too many cooks now but there is only one pot for the Nagas to prepare their curry. Both the people of Nagaland and the Government of India are keenly watching the kind of food or curry prepared by multiple chiefs. Surprisingly, all the underground factions are at loggerheads and they are functioning independently according to their whims and fancies only. It is now abundantly clear that whatever the leaders of underground say or speak eloquently, their actions and style of living had proved that all these are nothing but vapoury/chimerical sentimentalism. Frankly, the phrase ‘chimerical sentimentalism’ refers to an impractical or fanciful attachment to emotions that are unrealistic or based on illusions.
Landscape or panorama of Governance in the state of Nagaland
Nagaland is facing a very peculiar administrative phenomenon in which the elected government is made to be boneless. The underground authorities started openly issuing orders to the public for compliance. In the face of this trend, the elected government has shown its helplessness and hopelessness to stop the illegal activities of the elements detrimental to the society. The stark fact is that in consequence almost all developmental activities are standstill because of the interference of the underground. Open extortions and forming syndicates to control the market have become the norms for the underground in towns, whereas, the elected government hardly show its concern towards this nefarious activities of the unlawful elements. People are gaily witnessing the destruction of the entire systems of governance.
Another dangerous development or trend in the state of Nagaland is disrespect to authority. All civil organizations, even including government department’s union, are in the habit of serving ultimatum to the government as if the elected government is their hand-picked organisation. All these developments are nothing but manifestations of frustrations, disillusionment and anger over the elected government. If we fail to recognise this dangerous development and take prompt and appropriate remedial measures, it may burst into flames and destroy the entire establishments and that will be the end of Nagaland.
It is universally accepted and recognised the fact that when we put men’s souls long in fetters, and subject them to control, as is being done now in Nagaland by the underground elements, no sooner are the eyes of the younger generation will be opened to their degraded position they indignantly fling of their bonds and convert their new-brought freedom into licence and become free-thinkers. Out of frustrations and disillusionment, the youths in particular may resort to such means that could be detrimental to the future of Nagaland.
WAKE OF CALL FOR THE NAGAS
True reform grows naturally from the soil of the country and is not imported. If we have to redeem the Naga people from the present chaotic plight, it is the Naga themselves alone who can do it. Even the Government of India cannot do it without involvement of the natives. The people must be roused from their lethargy and apathy otherwise the future of this tiny and idyllic state will be bleak. The Naga people are no doubt tangled in the folds of perplexing polemics and from this the people see no way of escape and in plaintive or woeful strain cries-who will come to our rescue? Who can liberate us from the present conundrum? First and foremost step should be people of Nagaland be roused from their lethargy and apathy and saved from the dangers of smooth but treacherous materialism which has started destroying the character of the people. Time has come for the Nagas to have a serious introspection as well as retrospection and to ponder what had gone wrong in our Naga society as well as Naga polity. The most despicable hallmark of today’s Naga society is, instead of mutual good feelings and brotherly love, we find the bitterest rancour and hatred, and a ceaseless exchange and slander of revelling, vituperation and slander. The flame of antipathy kept alive by those who believe in status quo so as to keep the entire society under their grip for exploitation. As a matter of fact, leaders who had love and compassion for the people should otherwise help diffuse or allaying fury and reconciling differences, are ever and anon fulminating thundering invectives against each other.
Selfishness has been our state’s ruin, and even now, in spite of education and Christian culture, this odious selfishness is prolonging and destroying the very fibre of Naga society. For a better and brighter future of our people, we must eradicate selfishness. Neither the big talk of enlightened hypocrisy, nor cold, calculating policy of prudence, can remedy the evils which severely afflict Nagaland. Let not sordid selfishness any longer make us indifferent to the deplorable condition of our state. Enough had been the degradation of Nagaland, her sufferings and hardships are brim-full. Despite this gloomy picture, I firmly believe that in the old-age dictum that better days are around the corner and that change is the only unchangeable law of nature.
We have to resurrect Christian love and compassion to redeem the people from the present mess. With the collective efforts of all the stakeholders, guided by the wisdom from above, we can very well remake our own destiny and reinvent Naga society for a better and brighter future. Without prejudice to anyone but goodwill toward all, we can surely design and fashion a magnificent and strong edifice on which the Nagas will build a future not only for the present only but also for the future generations. And we have to be realistic and pragmatic and to keep abreast with the changing trends in the country and the world. Nagas, whatever they may be, belong to the same Naga family. Love and compassion are the only instruments that could bring all Nagas as members of the same family. What does love mean? A drawing together of hearts. Man may be said to stand at some distance from each other in consequence of barriers of selfishness. Love removes this barrier, brings different minds together and binds them. There can be no love without harmony of will. Discordant inclinations prevent union. It is universally admitted that self is a disturbing agent in all enterprises of charity and philanthropy, and is a foe to love. The fetters that bind man to himself must necessarily prevent his being drawn to others. How then to heal the wounds among the Nagas? Retaliation even under the highest provocation, is in itself a sin. We give honours to him who forgets and forgives the wrongs inflicted on him either by his fellow-man or even by his enemy, and though insulted, beaten and cruelly persecuted readily return good for evil, such example is no doubt praiseworthy. We admire his exemplary patience and forbearance, and the ease with which he subdues the feelings of resentment as often as they are excited. This example should be emulated by the Nagas if they have to have a bright future.
Final resolution of Naga political problem shall be a master stroke to heal all ills
Root cause of the present malaise of Naga polity is non-solution of the Naga political problem. To appreciate and recognise the problems which we are confronted with is political, hence a brief narrative / chronicle of the evolution of the Naga political movement is herein stated. Pre-eminence of Naga National Council. There can be no shadow of doubt or prevarication on the fact that the Naga National Council (NNC) formed at Wokha in 1946, was the only empowered and truly representative institution, authorised to reflect and fulfil the genuine aspiration and political goal of the entire cross-section of the Naga community. Through the much-publicised and widely participated Plebiscite of 1951, the Naga people, cutting across the boundaries of tribal, clan or regional affiliations, had wholeheartedly and enthusiastically accorded complete mandate to the NNC to realise their cherished political aspirations of a separate Naga Homeland. The entire Naga community rallied willingly and devotedly behind the NNC, under the inspiring and charismatic leadership of A.Z. Phizo who was revered as the unquestionable leader of the Naga people. It is also pertinent to note here that the bedrock of NNC’s policy and strategy was non- violence and peaceful resolution of the Naga problem through democratic means and the common Naga men and women readily sacrificed their utmost for the cause dear to their hearts. A.Z. Phizo, as President of the NNC, had no doubt candidly articulated its avowed destination and objective that gave tremor to the Indian leadership. Unfortunately, there was no peaceful dialogue between the NNC and the Government of India under the leadership of A.Z. Phizo. Whereas, the kind of political activities of the NNC and the reckless handling of the situation in the early fifties by the Assam administration, the entire Naga areas of the present Nagaland was plunged into violence and bloodshed. From thence, the Naga political complexion was totally changed with the formation of the state of Nagaland within the Indian Union. Then after the death of A.Z. Phizo, the underground organisation fell into the hands of Young leadership who were novice in Naga politics to carry on the struggle.
It would, therefore, be prudent for people involved in the affairs of the Naga problem to view the problem objectively and systematically. To correctly understand the whole issue of the Naga political problem, it is essential that one adopts a rigorously objective and ruthlessly detached stance and abdicate all possible prejudices or opinions against or in favour of any faction, organisation or political party in the state. It is equally significant and crucial that parochial tribal loyalties are vehemently shunned in the study and assessment of the Naga political puzzle. Further, it is also pertinent to remember that the common people’s genuine political aspirations, yearnings and felt needs, predicated on myth or reality are the very life and soul of a political movement and hence, people’s feelings and desires cannot be de-linked or ignored while attempting to delve into the dynamics of a tortuous, complex and delicate issue like the Naga political problem. There is not an iota of doubt or sliver of hesitation in stating that each and every person in Nagaland, irrespective of his tribe, clan or region, is fervently praying and sincerely hoping for an early and conclusive end to this protracted curse of social unrest, instability and political uncertainty. Fortunately, after more than twenty years of protracted and vexatious political parleys between the Government of India and the underground organizations, two Political Agreements namely The Framework Agreement of 3rd August 2015 that was signed in the presence of the Prime Minister, Home Minister and National Security Advisor on one side and the other side led by Th. Muivah and all the top leaders of the NSCN (IM). The said agreement was accepted by shaking hands with each other by clapping hands. No other related issues were raised on that day by the signatories. Expressions of jubilations of the members on that day can be read as unanimity over the accord. Further, another Political Agreement known as “Agreed Position” was signed on 17.11.2017 between the Government of India and the NNPGs. Both the Agreements were signed on the basis of Contemporary Political realities. Hence, sovereignty and Integration did not figure in both the agreements.
It is sure and certain that during the political parleys for more than twenty years all issues like sovereignty, constitution, flag and many other related subjects were thoroughly discussed, debated and analysed their meanings, significance and relevancy, etc. Under the contemporary situation we cannot expect better arrangements than the two agreements. The entire people of Nagaland maintained stoic silence over the two agreements. Silence means approval. Then why making all kinds of excuses by raising issues to delay early solution? The Government of India’s position was made amply clear in Parliament by the Home Minister. In India, there is only one Prime Minister, only one constitution and only one flag. It is incumbent on the part of the signatories to the two agreements to honour its sanctity and implement the same immediately.
The mighty India should not let this tiny problem to be a thorn in the body politics of Naga people. If Nagaland is geographically, politically, and constitutionally an integral part of India, treat this with compassion and love. Let the Naga people also see the light of the day.
(The writer is former Governor and former Chief Minister of Nagaland)