Handwriting on the wall reveals the direction in which
Nagas’ political fate is headed, demanding serious attention and action. As the
current situation unfolds, the Nagas are far from achieving their goals because
they lack a clear vision and direction. Naga leaders are either unable to
understand and interpret the danger signs because of sheer ignorance, rivalry,
maliciousness, or blindsided, likely all the above, derailing the God-mandated
inheritance.
The Naga political saga has become more fragile and perilous
than ever. Despite the insurmountable barriers and limitations, the movement’s
early stages were strong and unassailable. Soon it fractured, polarising the
movement into a self-destructive mode, resulting in disharmony. This has
created a climate of distrust, not only between themselves but also among the
public at large, without whose support their chances of winning are virtually
nonexistent. A proper balance is crucial in uncertain and complex situations
without replicating the forces that drive fragmentation.
This is a crucial aspect that warrants careful consideration.
All the Naga political organisations, including the various
splinter groups, pretend nothing is imminent to worry about. Some breakup
groups purportedly operate a shadow government that duplicates legitimate tasks
delegated to the state government, including municipal ordinances, under the
Indian Constitution. Not only do such meaningless activities knowingly deceive
the innocent public, but they also create a path to self-destruction, a clear
sign of desperation, which signifies the credibility issues that adversaries
have been devising all along. If the state fails to do its job, remind them;
they are paid well to do their job.
Nagas are mired in complacency. Like the proverbial frog in
slowly warming water, which leads to its ultimate demise, we ignore more and
care less at our peril. In the short term, living within a comfort zone denies
access to resources that can help cope. In the long run, it will be our
undoing. The danger is desensitisation, the willingness to create an
unprecedented litany of complex problems through passive acceptance rather than
urgent collective action. This is particularly true when we reflect on the Naga
political saga.
Those born after the 70s may not get a complete picture or
grasp the severity of events that had transpired decades before their time.
Although this short paper does not intend to inflame past misdeeds, it is
essential to remind us of those critical events to clarify the point.
Internal and external factors play a dire consequential role
in Indo-Naga political affairs.
During the movement’s early days, it was easier to predict
events despite adversaries using various tactics. Fear, in the form of bodily
harm (torture), was the ultimate force used to control the innocent. Many
precious lives were lost, not only those who fought in the battles between
David and Goliath, i.e., the few Naga Freedom fighters against the mighty
Indian Armed Forces but even innocent natives who were randomly tortured to
death to create fear, whether they deserved death or not, even though many were
not directly involved in the insurgency schemes. For example, Pelesato Chase
(Khonoma), who was serving as the Director of Chakhesang Mission Center, Phezou
(Phek), was brutally murdered in 1956 simply for being God’s servant. He was
blindfolded, and his hands and feet were shackled and bound in a gunnysack tied
to an army truck and dragged for miles along the unpaved hilly roads to his
death by the Indian Armies to create fear, an act difficult to forget. There
are countless similar stories yet to be told.
Our own people senselessly assassinated many others,
including the few educated Nagas, for no fault of their own during those trying
days; a few of them were my friends.
Current devices, however, relate to contemporary culture and
lifestyle and are now used to penetrate the mind (psychologically), primarily
targeting the elites who are expected to influence those who depend on them.
Creating doubt and corrupting the mind now replaces fear. Additionally, many
other factors interact surreptitiously within India’s governing system,
contributing to the current situation. Also, Nagaland, like all other states,
bound by the Indian Constitution, cannot operate independently beyond a few
limited provisions. Discerning these implications is not as straightforward as
expected; they are highly complex. Evil forces continue to manifest in numerous
ways, deceiving and misleading, which ultimately infiltrates deeper into
spiritual realms. God’s Word provides ample evidence to support this.
God chose the Nagas for a purpose. We will make terrible
mistakes unless we seek God’s wisdom and guidance.
Internal Contributing Factors
Nagas have become complacent. Complacency epitomises
corruption, deception, and spiritual and moral turpitude, ultimately leading to
society’s breakdown. It encompasses the various facets of life within
individual and group settings, condoning substandard behaviors in others and
ourselves that are out of alignment with our deepest values and beliefs, which
should never be compromised under any circumstances.
Nagas are struggling in a quagmire, attempting to build a
Utopian nation in the sinking sand while being engulfed in rampant waves of
corruption. Stark endemic corruption in Nagaland has become a defining feature.
A well-known Indian contractor and supplier for the Nagaland government
confided that they do not want the Christianity the Nagas profess because of
corruption. Despite boasting the largest Christian population in South Asia and
the most prominent American Baptist denomination worldwide, Nagaland is now
synonymous with corruption. Thus, nonbelievers ridicule Nagaland for Christ as
Nagaland for Corruption, befitting its reputation for vice. Nagas have become
pathologically corrupt as if it is a birthright. Since these evil elements are
widespread throughout Nagaland as an accepted norm–dare I call it a “cheating
culture”?
Nagaland is too close to Hindutva, far from God.
In the past, the Nagas have maintained a singularly
veritable reputation for being honest, forthright, and doing the right thing.
Naga society is founded as a close-knit society. Cheating, bribery, fraud,
misuse of public funds or properties, extortion, and kidnapping for ransom–none
were ever heard of in a Naga society. Do not equate headhunting with current
vices.
When the late President Phizo suggested seeking donations
for the movement, I responded in writing that it would be unwise to seek
donations from private donors; however, seeking support from established
foreign governments would be appropriate.
Another characteristic of complacency is a growing tendency
for organisations and stakeholders to disconnect by promoting self-interest.
The mathematical equation for the multiplicity of factions (underground or
overground) is opportunistic, differing from the multidimensional approach to
problem-solving. We must set aside our differences by brainstorming and solving
the issues we care about because no group can solve the Nagas’ problems. We
don’t need an Aesop fable to remind us of the moral: “United We Stand, Divided
We Fall.” When the oxen quarreled and divided, they became easy prey for the
lion, killing them individually. A lesson was learned: They are stronger when
they stick together. Jesus Christ declared an even more dramatic warning about
the dangers of disunity when He said, “Any kingdom divided against itself is
laid waste, and a house divided against itself falls” (Luke 11:17). Unity means
stability, strength, and power. True patriots will not choose to divide. Do not
exploit this; it is already a devilishly charged political pressure cooker.
Panic begins when wisdom and concrete concepts end. A false
sense of urgency results from feelings of anxiety, instability, frustration,
anger, and a lack of confidence and trust. Never be intimidated or succumb to a
now-or-never panic mode, which signals an oblivious desperation; there is no
hope under such circumstances. Developing a sense of legitimate urgency
requires careful deliberation and calculation of the actions being taken;
avoiding these critical steps creates only myopic illusions without ever
producing satisfactory results. We may settle for less while aiming for the
best and become losers. This does not mean Nagas do not care; it is a failure
to anchor on a firm foundation. Because the Naga political issues are complex,
they call for sound decisions and judgments. This requires careful discourse.
Don’t blame India alone, as they are doing what is best for
them, whether legitimate or not. The problem is compounded by the Nagas’
feeding the frenzy. A few aimless arrows here and a few careless panjis there
will not kill the lion. In other words, press releases or speeches do not
accomplish the goal of building a nation. Efforts to whitewash the real issues
with peripheral programmes will destroy everything the Nagas have been fighting
for. Only by careful planning and execution, led by dedicated men and women of
honesty and integrity, supported by every Naga, can they achieve this.
The signed accords are meaningless unless they are followed.
That did not happen in the previous Indo-Naga political agreements, which date
back to the Nehru era and continue to this day; nevertheless, our leaders
failed to read the writing on the wall. Unless the provisions of the agreements
are enforced in both spirit and letter, the accords are worthless. Danger
looms, but no one is paying attention. The adversary’s desensitizing strategy
is working.
Understandably, many are becoming increasingly
disillusioned. That is how the Prince of Darkness wants us to live. The only
way to overcome this is to yield to our Saviour, Jesus Christ. We all must
kneel before our Creator to find the solution. Nagas need a real killing
weapon, not a weapon that sheds blood, but a God-given weapon of wisdom and
guidance. Nagas need unity under the banner of our Savior Jesus Christ.
This is what I urge all Nagas to do:
1)We have
all strayed from our loving God and become corrupted as a people. The challenge
for all of us is to heed righteousness by returning to our Lord. We all need a
spiritual awakening, and no Naga soul is exempt from it. I am affirming this
approach without making any accusations. As the Bible says, we all have sinned
and fallen short of God’s righteousness (see Rom. 3:23).
2)The next
step is for all Nagas to be united under one umbrella. No organisation or group
should claim the right to control. Unity provides strength. Until this is
accomplished, it is premature to talk about any settlement. Let’s not repeat
the past mistakes. God still loves the Nagas and has a divine purpose, but
first, we must obey and follow Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord.
3)When
things are done appropriately, all adult Nagas must consent. This is the most
important and urgent step, guided by Almighty God.
