The agitation for postponement of ULB election led by JCC seems to be drifting away from its core agenda. The main issue is for postponement of election and also to find an amicable solution for women participation in it. The state government miserably failed in handling the sensitive issue and it has proved itself not fit to be in power, but the tribal hobos and other organisations also cannot wash their hands off. They flared up passion and resorted to violence which resulted in loss of lives and properties. The blame game is endless but after going through this turmoil it is time to be realise that prolonging the protest in the present form is going to do more harm than good to our society. Rather, if we Nagas can come out of this tragedy with an acceptable solution and take a united stand that would be a better tribute to our brothers who lost their lives. The people have a right to demand the resignation of CM but we don’t know whether he is going to do it any time soon as he also has his reasons to stay on. And if this is the condition for lifting of the indefinite locking of govt offices and also for resumption of agitation then we are circumventing the real issue and at the same time it is causing untold miseries to our own people. If we love our people we should be sensitive to the plights of pensioners, poor govt servants who solely depend on their salary. Think of thousands of our students who are studying outside on the meagre income of their parents and some may be sick or in difficult situations. Thousands of our students are going to appear the board exam are mentally disturbed and they are not sure whether they will be able to sit on the exam day. Many people are in urgent need of official documents from administration offices and courts. Many could not attend the funeral of their love ones which were only few kilometres away because of the bandh and many walked miles from train, bus stations and airport to reach home with their luggage. Many of our children could not have a normal wedding which they deserve. Think of the small businesses, and daily wage earners. The locking of government offices may not be affecting you and the well to do. But whether you believe it or not, Nagas survive on government employee’s salary as we have no other sources. If you the leaders who are leading the agitation cannot appreciate the difficulties ordinary people are going through, then you are heartless and your motive could be elsewhere. So far, people have borne the hardships without complaints but it cannot go on like this. Do not hold the whole society to ransom as many of them are not fortunate enough to be in your position. You are simply denying their right to livelihoods. We are making a mockery of ourselves by locking the Deputy Commissioner offices and courts. How people will have faith in the administration and judiciary if they could be coerced in this manner? The state government is also making itself a laughing stock because with all the state machineries and para military forces at its disposal, it cannot run its own secretariat, the district administration offices and courts. Where is the security for common man? God forbids but if a disaster strikes now where will people go for help? Please stop misleading the common people. Our state is not the first one to implement 33% women reservation in ULB, many states have done it and 16 states have implemented not 33% but 50% women reservation in all panchayati raj institutions, Bihar, Gujarat and Rajasthanwent ahead and have extended 50% reservation for women to ULB and here in Nagaland we are still fighting over 33% reservation and shedding blood. Dear leaders, if you are working for the welfare of the people, start a dialogue with the intellectuals, leaders and elders which we are not dearth of and bring out an acceptable solution. The constitutional issues concerning our future cannot be decided in the streets or in a vitiated environment and least by the people who are not qualified. People of my generation deserves a better deal from you all.
