The grand elder Mr. Thepfulhouvi Solo, once in indigenous Naga parlance, metaphorically called it ‘Naga Haha’, to which Naga Hoho vehemently reacted to the hilt. Nevertheless, what the elder observed with premonition about the so-called apex Naga public organisation is now vindicated by the way it is being embroiled in a calamity. The calamity is not natural but Hoho’s made. As the Hoho was established with tribal representation, it can survive only with active presence of member tribal units. Although 6 tribes out of 14 Naga tribes in Nagaland walked out of Naga Hoho several years back, the 8 tribes remained with the Hoho and thus it has been surviving because of the presence of 8 tribes majority from Nagaland in the Hoho.
Presently, when the 3 member tribes of Sumi, Ao and Lotha disassociated from the Hoho, only 4 solid tribes as Angami, Chakhesang, Rengma, and Pochury are in the Hoho. And we all know Zeliang tribe is socially divided as far as tribal organization is concerned. As of now, 9 out of 14 Naga tribes in Nagaland are not members of Naga Hoho which has only 4 solid tribes and Zeliang. The private debates on the lame duck Hoho and its validity are elicited now.
We are already enlightened by the history of Nagaland Hoho that it was formed exclusively for the Nagas of Nagaland. However, from the pioneers I learnt that the Nagas of Nagaland and the Nagas of Manipur agreed to ‘merge’ into one and have a common platform under the nomenclature Naga Hoho during 1997. When two entities merged, each of the entity is conventionally bound to do away with its set up and surrender its autonomy to a common banner. Thus, the Nagas of Nagaland sacrificed its exclusive platform for the sake of the Nagas from two States. Since then the Nagas of Nagaland lost its platform to merger. Yet, technically speaking, when the merger was the resolution, the retention of United Naga Council(UNC) of Manipur was a misdemeanour to the spirit of merger. Practically the Naga Hoho could become the platform of Nagas from Nagaland and Maniur States only though we did not debar Nagas from other States from joining the Hoho.
The merger gave birth to the division of the Nagas in lieu of unification as the erstwhile TMPO, now rechristened ENPO came into being. When 6 tribes under the then TMPO refused to join, and thus the Naga Hoho started with fractured house. The merger had also failed to rope in Nagas from Assam and Arunachal as the Naga Hoho does not have the active participation of our brothers from these two States. Thus, it is for us to realize out of the prevailing crisis that the merger had done its share of damage to the fraternal brotherhood of the Nagas.
And we all know that recognition of Rongmei as an indigenous tribe of Nagaland by Nagaland Govt. on the strength of no objection certificate from Naga Hoho is the epic centre for disassociation from Hoho by Sumi and Ao tribes. The Naga tribes from Manipur and particularly Rongmeis might have been disappointed at the rejection of recognition by several Naga tribes in Nagaland. Nevertheless, it is imperative for the Naga tribes in Manipur to place yourselves in the position of the Nagas of Nagaland whether your magnanimity can withstand the onslaught of the same magnitude. How come that Rongmeis who had no ancestral land in Nagaland could be equated with the indigenous Nagas of Nagaland? The Nagas of Nagaland cannot be cowed down by a person like G. Gwangphun’s bully whatever and whoever you may be.
India refused to continue remaining under the colonial rule of Great Britain 7 decades ago. The India’s rejection of British dominion over Indians was because of using the land of Indians by British to control India was known as colonial empire. During the same period, the colonial administration was extended to part of the land of Nagas. Kohima was their headquarter. The present Kohima DC’s office area is reportedly known as the conquered land in those days during British colonial period. Similarly, granting the indigenous tribal status to Rongmei here in Nagaland is nothing less than colonization. Are the Nagas from Manipur attempting to make Nagaland a conquered land of yours? Had not NTC relentlessly and timely opposed the further recognition of Mao, the NPF led DAN Ministry set up a Commission headed by former Chief Secretary Mrs. Banuo Z. Jamir, IAS (Rtd) would have submitted its recommendation on the case in line with Rongmei tribe which would be followed by other tribes who had already submitted representations for the same.
The Naga National Movement was initiated by the Nagas of Nagaland. The Nagas of Nagaland have been shouldering most of the bigger responsibilities for our movement till date with much sacrifices. How many Naga brothers from Manipur are being sheltered here in Nagaland? How many Naga brothers from Manipur have been accommodated in Govt. service in the guise of this tribe and that tribe in Nagaland? Can our common organisations survive if Nagaland stops monetary and logistic contributions?
The Nagas of Nagaland do understand the political and economical disadvantages under which Nagas in Manipur are placed. The Nagas of Nagaland therefore seldom grudge over shares of contributions towards common interests. The Nagas of Nagaland, for a very long time, never talked about proportionate representation or equitable contribution. The Nagas of Nagaland have been the generous host all through these years.
Despite, the attitude of G.Gwangphun seems to be the specimen attitude of our Naga brothers from Manipur towards the indigenous Nagas of Nagaland. I seldom come across our Nagas from Manipur saying ‘Thank you’ for our magnanimity and hospitality. Rather, the Rongmei is how Nagas from Manipur are intended to illegally sneak into Nagaland followed by others and become equals and later emerge as the master. The colonisation through tribal recognition, the Nagaland State Development Zone (NSDZ) minus Art 371(A) and ILP and the Nagaland Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules and Regulations of 2012 are intended to exploit the Nagas of Nagaland. These are the factors adversely affecting the cohesion among the Naga tribes. Only those Nagaland tribes which are malleable are now remaining silent on the detrimental issues as though such issues are irrelevant.
I wish we all realize our past commissions and omissions. Then redevelop confidence building for the sake of Naga fraternal brotherhood. The restructured Naga common platform should be based on mutual respect devoid of exploitive mechanisms.
In my opinion, if the apex Naga platform is to be formed the following paraphernalia are the requisites. As much as Nagas in Manipur have UNC, that much is the entitlement of the Nagas of Nagaland to have its own Nagaland level common platform. To have a formidable apex Naga body, the Nagaland State unit has to be the cornerstone for obvious reasons. There is no argument that without a united Nagaland under a single tribal platform to be a unit of the apex Naga body, it can never become robust when restructured. Therefore, Nagaland must have a strong unified organisation with 14 tribes. So also let the Nagas in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam have their platforms. The four State organizations can then have the apex body with proportionate representation under a suitable nomenclature. In the event of anyone feeling hesitant to join the common platform, the likeminded members can have it conveniently. In any case, the common platform has to be restructured with full participation of all tribal units.
To have a vibrant apex Naga platform, in my opinion, the following are considered to be prerequisites.
a) Such platform should be absolutely neutral, very transparent and independent so that it is equipped with authority.
b) The password for such platform is never allowing itself to become the sycophant of any syndicate of power.
c) People who man the platform must have integrity, courage and calibre.
d) The platform should be the property of the Nagas as a whole including Burmese Nagas.
The Nagas badly needs a platform that unites and not that divides.
To my understanding of the situation, those of us who are for restructuring the Naga platform are for practical unification of the Nagas. Whereas, our intention can be easily misconstrued to be anti-Naga Hoho and divisive by anybody. It is for anyone to conclude as to whether the existing Naga Hoho can unite particularly the 14 Naga tribes of Nagaland which I considered to be paramount.
