By Dr. Vareso Ningshen (EMN)
Nagas are a pluralist society deeply rooted to their ancient socialist, theological, cultural and democratic values. Naga territory lies contiguously between India, Myanmar and China. Despite their simplicity, honesty and marvellous hospitality, Nagas were great warriors. They were considered to be the toughest defenders of their homeland against the mighty forces of the British colonial powers. It appears, inter alia, the fierce and brilliant encounters of the Nagas against the then intruding British colonial forces in the early part of the 19th century whose primary motive of aggression was purely of trade and commerce was the main reason for forcibly dividing the Nagas so as to gradually weaken them. The Nagas’ committed struggle for full sovereignty and independence was another determining political reason why the then British-India and Independent India maliciously put Naga terri tories under different countries and states in India and Myanmar. All these ill political measures were adopted to eventually control and supervise easily over the Naga territories and their political struggle. These hard historical realities and existential situations have wrongfully caused great marginalization of Naga democracy and governance in the contemporary South East Asia where they belong. Let’s think it over and over again; it is the true Nagas alone, wherever they may be, who can persistently pursue and deal critically to the vexed Naga national issue pending for nearly a century. Others will fall away even before the test of time comes to pass.
In this fast changing world, the dynamics of the long drawn Naga political struggle and the prevailing realities of Naga society need to be correctly synthesized. Nobody can deny the fact that Nagas have every right to indefinitely continue their legitimate struggle for recognition of full sovereignty and independence. But the point is that India has, time and again, clearly manifested her strong reservation on the political question of Naga independence as the Naga territorial location (frontier) stands very critical to India national security. Meaning, India seriously considered the Nagas and their land as Vital Pillars of national security. This is where the crux of the Indo-Naga conflict lies which needs to be correctly synthesized, negotiated and addressed with true political will and wisdom for working out an honourable solution based on the concept of ‘shared sovereignty’ between two equally associating political entities. This is to say that the pending Indo-Naga core issue appears to be about recognition of the Naga nation (member of UNPO with observer status in UNO) and her territory as well as recognition of the political exigency to find an amicable solution for establishing special relations between the two by sharing sovereign powers. Naga struggle being the longest and oldest insurgency (national) movement in South East Asia, has been encountering unending multiple issues, problems and challenges both from within and without that need to be comprehensively addressed. As a matter of fact, many Nagas have become victims of the problems mostly designed and manufactured by elements anti-thetical to the making of a Naga nation.
Apart from all the national workers, it is the Naga Villages, different Tribe Hohos, NSF, NMA, NPMHR, UNC, ENPO, NGBF, Naga Hoho, etc. who have long been championing the Naga cause with great hardships and sacrifices. They have ultimately conquered the hearts of the Central and State leaders in bringing pro-active approach to the very core which requires urgent political resolution. There seems to be no pending issue other than this. There is no need for any individual or tribe to be plagued with political backslide from the earlier faith and vision for a united Naga nation thereby tending to compromise to everything within the bounds of the status quo. A struggling Naga society has learnt to unitedly rise up every time they fall. Having walked all this along, Nagas neither have to fall away nor fail during this most defining moment when India and the rest of the world are keenly testing on the maturity, capacity, unity, integrity and the firm commitment of the Nagas towards a peaceful political self-determination and nation building of their own. The true forgiveness and the peace of Jesus Christ be showered upon all Nagas in this nick of time. Let the bitter experiences of the past no more detain the Nagas from moving forward together. Majority of the Nagas have been relentlessly working hard showcasing their innovative, intellectual, frame breaking-thinking and God trusting mission oriented with common objective to usher peaceful transformation of Naga society to a higher level by transforming its democratic polity through humane, political, scientific and technological systems. Will Nagas wilfully destroy this hard earned defining momentum? Will Nagas only know how best to fight but not how best to win and resolve it? Will Nagas only know how best to create division but not how best to bring unity? Will Nagas only know how best to begin well a struggle but not how best to bring a good ending of it? If at all Nagas need unity, love, support and concern for each other, it matters now the most. Nagas must not make mistake at this critical stage of their journey. Generally Nagas are broadminded people. Every Naga has been supporting directly or indirectly for the peaceful resolution of the protracted Indo-Naga conflict. Everyone really yearns for peace. Nagas must equally extend peace and good will to all neighbours and established entrenched socio-economic relations with them. In fact, Nagas can be an asset and a model of best security to their neighbours. It’s simply a world of diplomacy, exchange and cooperation
India, on her part has mastered the Naga case during this nearly 20 years of political peace process. The detailed work-out of the Framework Agreement may be brought to its logical conclusion at the earliest with a win-win solution. A well known old dilatory tactics will no longer do good to India. Instead, India being one of the fastest growing nation-states under the most dynamic and charismatic leadership of Shri Narendra Modiji, the Honourable Prime Minister, must be able to work out a just and honourable solution (method) to establish a special relation with the Nagas. It may, consequently, take necessary steps to duly restore back the Nagas in Myanmar to India’s associate-Naga territory. Betraying the Nagas this time again may compel them to seek either UN intervention or to join their fellow Naga brethren in Myanmar to become an associated state of that new democratic country. Hope, India will surely apply her best mind and wisdom in the interest of justice and peace in the region and for all mankind of God’s creation.
