On Naga National Movement: Is an Early Solution the Best Solution for the Naga National Struggle?

The Naga struggle for independence was not a historical blunder or a historical accident. It was a miracle in history – a group of warring tribals, living in isolated and independent villages, came together to assert our historical and political rights. Under the leadership of the Naga National Council (NNC), the spirit of nationalism was kindled even in the hearts of those living in the remotest parts of Naga lands. The NNC till date remains the only Naga Political Institution to have received the unequivocal mandate of the Naga people to decide and determine the course of the Naga Dream of a free nation. However, when the movement entered into a phase of uncertainty with countless hardships, setbacks and ideological differences, the NSCN was born to spur the movement.

After the breakup of the NSCN, the Naga national movement gained momentum under the NSCN (IM): cease fire was signed, talks were held at the highest levels both within and outside the country leading to the signing of the Framework Agreement (FA) in 2015. These developments suddenly changed the Naga mindset. Nobody wanted to be left out. A few Naga tribal organisations even openly expressed their support/mandates to the NSCN (IM). One was also made to think that the Government of India (GoI) is finally serious about the Naga solution under the leadership of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. Consequently, efforts were made by various Naga leaders to unite different Naga political groups (NPGs) under one political umbrella as though the Naga solution is arriving any moment. Thus, the Naga National Political Groups (NNPGs) was born in 2016. The NPGs, which were reluctant to join the NSCN (IM) because of the ideological and tactical differences, began to join the NNPGs. A new term – “inclusive” – was added to the popular slogan “honourable and acceptable solution”. Even the Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) members joined the bandwagon in sharing the enthusiasm for an early solution and organised several all-party consultative talks and also made several trips to Delhi. The development was rapid. In such a situation, it was a proud moment for me to be a signatory of the Agreed Position (AP) signed between the GoI and the NNPGs in 2017.

However, is the Indo-Naga political-dialogue for a solution really over? So what happened to the signed agreements – FA and AP? Among others, too many voices for one common goal happened! The NSCN (IM) with the “Big Brother” attitude seems to prize their status over the solution. Moreover, no real unity and reconciliation could be achieved among the NPGs despite the relentless efforts of several organisations, especially by the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR). Meetings, prayers and paper agreements could not be translated into collaborative actions.  Instead of focusing on working together to build trust and cooperation, the politics of position and power became more important for various NPGs. It has been a painful experience to realise that some NPG leaders desire more for a table in the high level talks or to show their faces on the social media rather than engaging with the real issues and with the Naga people.

The intention of the GoI has also become doubtful. Contrary to their “no piecemeal solution”, it continues to sign separate cease fire agreements and holds separate talks with different NPGs. This has brought about more mistrust, suspicion and division within the Naga house. Rather than strengthening and finding solution to the singular goal of the Naga people, these tactics are becoming an obstruction. They are far from finding an honourable solution.

It is a fact that both the public and the NPGs are experiencing the “war fatigue”. However, the fatigue should not drive us to compromise lest we become guilty of betraying the sweat, the tears and the blood of those who fought for the Naga Dream. A solution that offers mere “packages” without security of history, identity, advancement and self-determination is doomed to betray our sacred cause. Even an uneducated villager living in a far flung village knows this. It will give birth not only to power houses and institutions that will eventually destroy the Naga democracy and traditional institutions but also engender all modern forms of discriminations and oppressions of the weak.

I still firmly believe that if we are doing the right thing, even if no solution is in the horizon now, at least, we will continue to write a history which is honourable and true. It will continue to inspire hope and spur others in the future to take the noble path towards the Naga Dream for a free nation. The path to freedom is bound to be difficult. That is a brutal fact. The impatient and passionate cry for an “early solution” cannot be done at the cost of our dignity and honour. To insist for an early solution may even revive and repeat the past tensions between the NNC and the NPC (Naga People Convention), between the Idealists and the Pragmatists in our Naga history. I believe that it is sinful to hijack the Naga Dream by any NPG, or even by the mass majority of the contemporary Nagas, with the intention of satiating immediate and pragmatic hungers through the slogan of “Early Solution” bereft of honour and justice.  I prefer to remain an idealist and a believer of biblical kairos moment, someone who seeks an honourable settlement for my beloved Naga people.

Kuknalim!

Zhopra Vero

Kedahge, NNC/FGN