K.K. Peseyie, Kohima
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]his was bound to happen. Our Nagaland leaders were/are so fond of telling “integration” where all Nagas (who eat from the wooden platter)? could live satisfied under one umbrella, the new State of Nagaland which became “the promised land” and a grazing ground for everyone including non-Nagas who married Naga women and think they had become Nagas. In the 16 Point Agreement 1960 Clause 13 the Government of India made no commitment to integrate Naga areas into one Administrative Unit.
In 1965 Nagaland Finance Minister Mr. Hokishe Sema, Agriculture Minister R.C. Chiten Jamir and N.N.O President Rev. M. Savino toured some Dimapur and Peren villages. As DPRO (then DPO) Kohima it was my privilege to cover their official tours. The first phase was taken by Hokishe and Savino in Dimapur rural areas. There were no good, wide and potholed roads like today. There were only cart and jeep tracks through thick growth of grass, shrubs and plants. It was nice and exciting travelling on them. Sometimes overhanging tree branches whipped the travellers as they pass. There were mostly Kachari and Garo villages and few Naga recently settled villages.Villagers prepared nice food/snacks for the VIPs and party. At the end in each village Hokishe asked how much was spent for the receptions. Those days Rs 100-300 was big amount. Hokishe graciously paid them cash so as “not to be a burden” on the poor villagers economy.
Minister R.C. Chiten Jamir joined them at Dimapur on their visit to Zeliang areas. Pass Heningkwanglwa station and not far from a neat and beautiful village named Kiyevi the VIPs came upon a huge crowd of villagers camped on both sides of the road in the open.
Apparently they were refugees or displaced persons from somewhere. A pathetic sight: some were cooking, some were feeding crying babies and some were trying to put up makeshift covers. Old, infirm, women and children in a desperate state. As the VIPs called the elders together, talked to them, comforting them and giving some cash relief, praying for them assuring them of our own “oneness”, I took a chance to go around and asked some elders what had happened to them and from where they came. I found many were migrant Zeliangs and other tribes from Manipur state. Many were “non-indigenous” to Nagaland state and could only speak “Hindi” besides their own dialect. They had not yet “contracted” the now incurable disease called “Nagamese”. True there were many Nagaland Zeliangs among them. It is said that the present Mhainamtsi village started there or somewhere around that spot not far from the original “Mhai” village after observing all customary rites and formalities. Elders of both side appended their signatures in 1966.
The VIPs then went on visiting other villages talking of peace and oneness among other subjects. The Party returned to Dimapur after visiting Jalukie followed by a not so convinced 28-year-old Media Officer. Jamir went straight to Kohima and the others went to Circuit House Dimapur to spend the night.
I went over to Uncle Mhalie Peseyie to seek permission to spend the night in his house. When I returned to Circuit House I found Savino alone in his room. I asked him why they kept telling of integration and told him it would be bad for Nagaland Nagas like us if such a thing really come about. We would start quarreling among ourselves to the advantage of other people from outside. He told me “he-i, this is politics...”
Of course I gave a good report of their tours and also of a new settlement that was burnt down. It was appreciated. Savino was happy.
NEIPHIU’S MANTRA FOR INTEGRATION
In 2006 (?) local media quoted the then Honourable Chief Minister, now MP Neiphiu Rio as saying that “emotional Integration” would be good for Nagas in the long run. (Apologies if he was misquoted) But I hope it was not. I believe this is the best way for Nagas to live as friends and good neighbours without uprooting themselves from their ancestral homes to look for greener pastures elsewhere. Surely there are better ways of keeping friendship and relationship alive through traditional and customary festivals.
A young lad of 15 years I also took part in such a festival (rüna kinyi, Tenyidie) in the winter of 1952. Jotsoma to Kigwema, (day one), Kigwema to Viswema (2 nights main festival), Viswema to Jakhama (one night)- Jakhama to Phesama and Pfüchama (one night)- back to Jotsoma the next day all on foot. It was an unforgettable experience.
