Our legitimate right and aspiration is integration of all the contiguous areas of the Nagas under a single political umbrella and it never means mere population integration without land integration where we do not share a common border together. However our strong desire for the said physical integration is going to take time, so at this juncture all that we can do is encourage and promote brotherhood and integration of heart, soul, mind and goodwill of our neighbours which will result as the greatest security and asset for our Naga solidarity as a People and a Nation.
But, the impediment is, we do not see ourselves the way others see us –not realizing that the greatest ignorance is not to be aware of one’s ignorance, then selfishness and manipulation comes in. We think we are good people –civilised, politically committed, educated and affluent and spiritually strong, etc but others may see us as selfish, arrogant, champion of manipulations and filled with foolish pride. Our selfish and arrogant behaviour hurts others and consequently the hurt that results from our behaviour, if not transformed is transferred and it affects other people around us.
For instance, it is sickening to hear from our elders about the extreme arrogant behaviour of some Angamis towards other communities in the past compelling one community to break away and another community to discourage or rather prohibit speaking Tenyidie, in spite of their own convenience because of the past unbearable and unforgivable hurt. When you lose the goodwill of your neighbour, you are heading towards brokenness instead of brotherhood and the cherished dream of integration.
That’s how our division, hatred, bitterness, doubts and fears go on and on in the highway of life and like a cancer in the brain, breed more problems. I am told that the 15 tribes of Nagas from Manipur State, comprising a population of approximately about 5.65 lakhs, have 30 official representatives in the Naga Hoho (NH) and 22 in NSF, whereas the 20 lakhs population of Nagas of Nagaland have 16 official representatives but as of now is 10 in the NH and 16 in NSF. The 5.65 lakhs is just an equivalent population of the Aos and the Sumis only. It is alleged that this is how voices were manipulated by them taking the advantage of the two third majorities in the NH. It is difficult to understand as to why the NH brought a “host of Representatives from … UNC” (United Naga Council) from Manipur State to Hotel Japfü Kohima on 05.09.2008 to decide their views and opinion on Rongmei’s recognition issue and concluded as “it was collectively viewed that Rongmei community is eligible to be recognised as desired by the State Government.” Please refer to the NH statements titled as “Naga Hoho responds to ‘CNTC Disassociates with Naga Hoho’” in the Morung Express dt 04.09.16. Referring to the position of NH as quoted above, how can the NH said that it has not endorsed the proposal of recognition of Rongmeis. We all know that the Rongmeis recognition issue is the bone of contention. So, the question is why a ‘host of Representatives from UNC’? It is also alleged that suggestions to bring about a fair and just representation to the NH and NSF based on population ratio was always ignored. Was this not the reason that the ENPO & ENSF had exited from NH & NSF long ago? As such I feel that the NH and NSF need re-structuring as far as representation is concerned so as to promote brotherhood and integration of heart and soul for the larger interest of the big Naga family.
It is further alleged that the recognition of Rongmeis as a recognized Indigenous Inhabitant Tribe of Nagaland and the Govt’s move to recognize Mao tribe is considered by some concerned denizens as a process for mere population integration without land integration with vested interest. Therefore the NTC, CNTC and other Tribal Hohos of Nagaland are strongly opposing such a process and resolved that the matter is not acceptable. Under the circumstances, some critics are sceptical about the proposed Nagaland Special Economic Development Zone and have commented that it could be another agenda for mere population integration as aforesaid.
To quote some few relevant and connected portions of the Angami Public Organisation’s representation as submitted to the Hon’ble CM Nagaland, dt 27th June 2013 against the State Govt’s move to recognize Mao Tribe and its request for de-recognition of Rongmeis as a recognized Tribe of Nagaland, is as under:
Quote: “The APO is to submit that it has serious reservation on the issue of recognition of other tribes apart from the Naga tribes of Nagaland State as indigenous inhabitant of Nagaland. The APO is of the view that once the door is open for recognition of other Naga Tribes of other states or country, such as Rongmeis, etc then the door of recognition for other Naga Tribes, not recognised by the Govt. of Nagaland, such as Maos, Poumais, Tangkhuls, Hemis, etc will be opened. Thereafter there cannot be any stopping of recognition of other Naga tribes from outside Nagaland, as their denial will amount to discrimination. Considering the matter within the aforesaid premises, if the door is open there is reason for apprehension that Nagas of Nagaland may be overwhelmed and stampeded as has happened in the last recruitment of Graduate Teachers of 2012 in Peren District of Nagaland as a consequence of recognition accorded to the Rongmei tribe by the State Government. Therefore, the APO earnestly request the State Government to stand firmly on its Notification No. AR-8/8/76 dt. 28th April 1977, in the interest of peace, justice, Naga unity and Naga integration.”
“It is the considered opinion of the APO that it would be the greatest mistake the Nagas will ever make for their future generations, if dual Indigenous Inhabitant Naga Tribal status is to be granted to some Naga tribes residing in two or more states. Such a precedent may have the tendency to poison the big Naga happy family, consisting of all contiguous areas of the Nagas in different states and countries and may even disturb the peaceful co-existence of Naga fraternity that has been in existence till date. It is also observed that the present ‘recognition issue’ is creating land disputes, confusion, division, hatred, and bitterness among the Nagas by making claim and counter claim over land in Nagaland through various print media.”
“The APO once again reiterated that it is all out and committed to the cause of Naga integration in all possible ways and means. We take pride to state that till date all Nagas hailing from different states and regions enjoys equal social Naga tribal status without any discrimination or distinction within the state of Nagaland. However, as far as the question of modification of the Notifications and granting of other Naga Tribe as Indigenous Inhabitant Naga Tribal Status of the State of Nagaland is concerned, the APO is of the view that an individual member of a particular tribe having immovable property or having resided in the state over a considerable length of time does not qualify his tribe to be recognised as Indigenous Inhabitant Naga Tribe of Nagaland”
“The Rongmei Council Nagaland while clarifying the press statement of WSH (Western Sumi Hoho) admitted “that there is no Rongmeis land in Peren District till date.” From the statement of the Rongmei Council Nagaland, it is crystal clear that there is no exclusive Rongmei colony, village or District in Nagaland and therefore, the question of recognition of their tribe does not arise. It may also be pertinent to clarify that the “Kubuis” were brought to Kohima under temporary permit by the British during the early part of last century for scavenging purpose at Kohima; this may not be misread or misinterpreted. We are also to inform you that the Jt. Chief Electoral Officer & PIO, Kohima has vide his letter no. ELE/RTI-2/2013 dt. 12/3/2013 disclosed that there are no names of Rongmei in the electoral roll under Kohima District published on 5th December 1963. Further, the Asst. Election Officer & PIO, Peren Nagaland has vide letter no. ELE/RTI/2010-13/639 dt. 10/1/2011 disclosed that no member of Rongmei community’s name is found in the E/Roll of 1963.” Unquote.
Under the premises stated by the APO, I feel that the Rongmei’s recognition as an Indigenous Inhabitant Naga Tribal status has absolutely no justification since they own no ancestral land in Nagaland and the issue is causing brokenness in the big Naga family and should be de-recognised without further delay till the integration of all Naga inhabited areas into a single entity is achieved. Integration of our land will restore peace and fairness among us and promote Naga brotherhood.
Any shortcut method or piece meal solution will precipitate the situation and escalate division among us as it is said “Yesterday’s hatred and wrong shed blood today, today’s wrong will shed blood tomorrow”. So, who is there to break the chain of wrong, hatred and bitterness among us? Who will bring water to the thirsty land? We must be capable to solve our own problems by admitting our wrongs honestly and voluntarily instead of crusading agaist the wrongs in others. Socrates said, “A life not examined is not worth living” Mrs Doe Howard rightly pointed out that “If you want anything for yourself, everything goes wrong in whatever you do.” Do you agree with me that almost everything is going wrong in the Naga society today? Looking at the visionless, instant gratification and get-rich-quick culture of our society, coupled with hypocrisy of some leaders promising the moon and the stars, lackadaisical approach to purity, honesty, discipline and sincerity, rampant corruption and manipulations, extortions, kidnappings and fratricides has completely degraded our society and values which we have cherished the most.
It would be a happy response if we are able to declare in honesty that we love our neighbours as ourselves, that we truly love God, our land and our people. Advocacy of nationhood, brotherhood and declaring love of our neighbours, our land and people means building of beautiful relationships, trust and goodwill among neighbours, accepting a principle and practice of making other people great and caring for them as well. It also means having concern and obligations for our neighbours as ourselves. It never means to behave as if we are the best and most worthy persons in any given situation and not seizing every opportunity selfishly without being bothered for our neighbours’ welfare.
Let our self-interest be replaced by mutual common Naga interest to create a win-win situation for our common Naga cause, and let ego or prestige driven culture be converted into gentleness and fair play to re-make our world, promote our Naga brotherhood and integration of heart, soul and mind. This will generate hope and inspiration for the building of a better future for the Nagas.
