Now I feel relieved, says a mother

"What we are concerned about is our wellbeing, our children and our family"

Our Correspondent Kohima, Nov. 1 (EMN): The few weeks leading up to the October 31 deadline set by the government of India (GoI) to end the Naga political issue was riddled with air of confusion and fear caused by rumours and presentiment about the future. With the breakthrough in the deadlock between GoI and the NSCN (IM) over a separate Naga flag and constitution on Thursday, Eastern Mirror took to the streets to find out what went through the minds of the common people during this period. While some people feared for their safety, others went to the extent of rationing their essentials and basic commodities in case of any eventuality. “I was scared for the safety of my family, scared of what our future may look like. But now I feel relieved,” said a woman when asked how she felt now that the deadlock has been broken. “There was excitement at the possibility of the problem getting solved and I kept checking news to know the latest development. There was also fear, if the negotiating parties wouldn’t bow down and violence takes place again. It would be awful to start a new war after more than 20 years of ceasefire. Overall, it was a phase of uncertainty,” shared a young Naga man, who wished to remain anonymous. “Today, we are careless about what is going on in our Naga peace talks. What we are concerned about is our wellbeing, our children and our family,” said a 34-year-old lady. “I wish that whoever comes at the helm of affairs should always have concern for the welfare of the people.” Another person, who identified himself as a teacher, asserted that he is apprehensive of the ongoing talks but the possibility of war does not arise in the modern age. ‘India being a democratic country, while majority of the Nagas in Nagaland being Christians on the other hand, I believe that both the conflicting parities would know the risks of war,’ he said. A student, who is pursuing legal studies, said: “We are being told that the NSCN (IM) is signing a peace treaty (sic) with the government but the contents of the treaty is yet to be disclosed to the  public and we don’t really know what entails it. This matters to us the most”. People also have different opinions on the breakthrough of the Naga peace talks. A citizen, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “It seems that all the negotiating parties have come on board. However, while the majority will be happy with the insurgency coming to an end and peace finally taking root, there are still people who think total independence rightfully belongs to them. New developments, not necessarily violence, may take place.” Another person opined that Nagas have raised their ‘identity and entity’ to the government of India. “However, even if the GoI acknowledges it, it’s going to be a very long process,” he said. The negotiating parties should not have dominance over another, but rather unite, cooperate and work for the welfare of the people, said a respondent. One of the respondents expressed his doubt stating that “we can’t say anything right now, it all seems quite peaceful but if some group is not happy with the outcome, we never know.” Another person also doubt ‘if the government of India would touch the delicate intricacies of the actual demands of the Nagas.’