We are in the stage of ceasefire but there are 38 groups and there is taxation or extortion of the Nagas of Nagaland and also non-Nagas in our state. Who is to be blamed?
Both as individuals and as communities -- Nagas are passing through challenging times. At times, I wonder; given our situation -- is it a crime to be optimistic about peace and harmony? Whom should we blame?
What we did to ourselves?
"Holy Father, keep them in thy name which thou hast given me, that they may be one as we [are]" --- we may be reciting these words time and again - possibly every Sunday and in every church. But where have we landed? The best thing we can do is to criticise others.
This is why, we Nagas have failed to appreciate the sincerity of govt. of India. I am not stating these merely as a BJP leader and in respect of Modi govt.; -- my argument stands for older days too. I know of several Congress leaders who have been sincere to work for peace and harmony in Naga Hills and in parts of Manipur.
This is why I cite the case of Mizos.
Of course, Mizos also had ‘freedom movement’ but they have chosen 'pragmatism' and now marching ahead in prosperity and glories. I am sure they still have grievances; but they know how to settle them first at home. In the case of Nagas - we hate soul searching. The recent statements from the elderly leaders of the Central Nagaland Tribes Council have tried to diagnose some of the problems.
Everyone were driving home the truth.
Our respected Shri SC Jamir said that we are obsessed with the past. This is correct. I will go a step further - we have given up our old Naga virtues. That virtue was to trust one another and also repose faith in the govt. of India. People have made it a fashion to slam the Statehood and those who worked for it.
After all, we are just being unfair to our own legacy when we forget the achievements achieved in the form of Article 371 (A). Some of us are busy finding fault with New Delhi for everything wrong within us.
In my case; I can tell you - I feel greatly relieved to see the Art. 371 (A) around. This provision gives Nagas a necessary strength. The Naga individuals can become President or even Prime Minister of India under the law. What more is expected in one's socio-political life?
Imagine, the Britishers had left us with China or Myanmar - would there be an Article 371 (A) then?
This law is very clear. No Act of Parliament applies to Nagaland in the following areas unless the Nagaland Legislative Assembly decides so by a resolution:
• Religious or social practices of the Nagas
• Naga customary law and procedure
• Administration of civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law
• Ownership and transfer of land and its resources.
We are in the stage of ceasefire but there are 38 groups and there is taxation or extortion of the Nagas of Nagaland and also non-Nagas in our state. Who is to be blamed? Who started all that?
I would refer to the problems faced by family members of the Naga underground leaders and cadres.
They also need money for survival and for upbringing of their children’s education, health care, etc.
However, some groups are still raising flag and constitution. But what about the economy? If there is halt to generous fund flow from Delhi; then what happens? As it is extortion is scaring away business people. There is no new investment in Nagaland and people are looking for better options in Jorhat-Golaghat region.
We need to be practical. In 2023 during elections, many Naga people I interacted spoke against the BJP-NDPP government and also against some elected ministers and MLAs; but when elections came - most of my friends voted for the same leaders. How is New Delhi responsible for this?
We Nagas feel the solution to all our problems including the pending Naga issue should be given to us on a platter by New Delhi, the interlocutors or the Prime Minister. But when it comes to our own duties and sacrifices; there is silence in the room.
The central Nagas form the spinal cord of Naga economy and also intellectual, cultural and political structures. But these three communities are today complaining. The Lothas, Semas and Aos have our own stories of agony. If youths are angry with the present system; there are reasons. The 'spinal cord' in a body must be always kept healthy.
Some people have failed to understand that. In the process; they are unfair to us (three communities) and also to themselves. The united march of Nagas has been disturbed.
As we sense the anguish in the voice of CNTC community leaders and elders; we find there is a growing criticism of some of our CNTC leaders.
On the face value; the critics may talk about unity of purpose. But to stay away from debating real issues would be another mistake. The deception will not go a long way.
Our eastern Naga brothers were complaining for years; but we could not do justice. The result is known to all.
The monopoly in politics, power-games and economic activities is the worst thing to happen. Unfortunately, we walked through that route. It is time to change.
When we say the British or the Indian govt. have 'divide and rule' policy - I feel like correcting that. The fact of the matter is - "We divide ourselves and then others rule us".
The 'other' is a powerful word in different perspectives. That other may be my own brother or someone who pretends to be my brother. But he has the ultimate goal of his selfish motives. The CNTC leaders have tried to open people's eyes.
(M Chuba Ao, former BJP national vice president. Views expressed are personal)