The greatest strength of Naga people was unity, but that has gradually disintegrated since the signing of Shillong Accord, and today we have more than 33 Naga political groups.
A legacy of unity, a present of division: In the 1950s, the Naga people stood as one. United in purpose, we fought together, sacrificed together, and spoke with one voice for the Naga cause. That unity was our greatest strength. Yet today, that strength lies fractured. Since the Shillong Accord of 11th November 1975, the spirit of oneness has gradually disintegrated. What began as political differences has snowballed into fragmentation. Today, we face the painful reality of more than 33 Naga political groups, about a score of NNCs, about a dozen NSCNs, and a host of tribal and civil bodies pulling in different directions. No one wants to live under another’s control, but in our refusal to yield, we risk losing everything we once stood for together.
As Nelson Mandela once said, “It is in your hands to make a better world for all who live in it.” The question before us now is: Do we have the will to place our hands together again?
The pattern of fragmentation: From apex bodies to parallel platforms
This disunity is not limited to political groups alone. It has seeped into our civil and student bodies, the very institutions meant to bind us.
STUDENTS: The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), formed on 29 October 1947 in Kohima under Z. Ahu, was once the largest and most respected voice of Naga students across Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam. After going defunct for 17 years due to the political crisis, it revived in 1971. Today, however, Eastern Naga students have formed a parallel body, the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF), and there is another student body known as Central Nagaland Students’ Union (CNSU). Divisions have replaced a single platform.
MOTHERS: In 1984, courageous mothers formed the Naga Mothers’ Association (NMA) for peacebuilding, anti-alcohol campaigns, women’s rights, and justice for victims of violence. It was represented by many tribal women bodies and did tremendous welfare work. Gradually, tribal mothers’ bodies withdrew on the direction of their menfolk. Today, NMA stands reduced to a voluntary organisation represented by a few individuals.
TRIBAL APEX BODIES: The Naga Hoho, organised in 1992 in Kohima, was envisioned as the highest platform representing all Naga tribes across Naga-inhabited areas. Yet tribal bodies began withdrawing without genuine reasons. In response, the Naga Tribes Council (NTC) was formed, which is now itself almost defunct. And there is ENPO, CNTC, and Tenyimi Union Nagaland (TUN). Besides, another body, the Nagaland Tribal Hoho Coordination Committee (NTHCC), is being proposed. We are creating new houses while the main house collapses.
Adding to this, the Government of India has signed two separate Agreements with Naga groups, despite its declaring, there will be “only one agreement with the Nagas, no piecemeal agreement.” As there is only one Government of India and only one Naga people, why should there be two different agreements? This contradiction only deepens suspicion and serves as a delaying tactic.
Why cannot we work together?
The core issue is not a lack of leaders, but a lack of trust and a spirit of supremacy. Ego over Cause. We refuse to live under another’s control, but we also refuse to sit under a common roof as equals.
Regionalism over Nationalism: ENPO, CNTC, TUN, these are important as regional voices, but they cannot replace a common Naga voice.
Political fragmentation: With 33+ factions, we have weakened our bargaining power and allowed outsiders to dictate terms. As Mahatma Gandhi warned, “An eye for an eye will only make the whole world blind.” If we continue to fight each other, we will all lose sight of the Naga future.
The way forward: Proposals for Naga unity and a brighter future
The time for lamentation is over. The time for rebuilding has come. Here are concrete suggestions:
Reclaim one apex political platform: All Naga political groups must return to the table, not to surrender identity, but to forge a common minimum programme. Let there be internal differences, but one external voice. The world respects those who negotiate as one.
Strengthen and revitalise Naga Hoho: Let ENPO, CNTC, TUN, and other tribal bodies function as regional councils within Naga Hoho, not as replacements for it. Naga Hoho must be reconstituted with equal representation, transparency, and a clear mandate to speak on political and social issues. No tribe is big, no tribe is small. All are Nagas.
Reunite civil society: NSF and ENSF must find a way to work under one federation with regional chapters. NMA must be revived with full backing from all tribal women’s bodies. Our mothers and students were the conscience of the movement. Without them, we are headless.
demand one agreement, one solution: We must collectively tell the Government of India: “One People, One Agreement.” Accepting piecemeal settlements will permanently divide us. Let us reject any solution that does not include all Nagas.
Educate the next generation in unity: Our schools, churches, and homes must teach Naga history not as Ao, Angami, or Lotha history, but as Naga history. Unity must be cultivated, not assumed.
Choose unity, or accept decline: The tragedy before us is not that we disagree. The tragedy is that we have forgotten how to disagree within unity.
Winston Churchill said, “To be in a position where we have to say that we cannot go on together is a tragedy.” We are at that point.
But it is not too late. The same spirit that made us stand together in the 1950s still lives in our blood. Let ENPO be the voice of the East, CNTC of the centre, TUN of the Tenyimi, but let NAGA HOHO be the voice of all Nagas.
Let us put aside personal ambitions, tribal prejudices, and factional loyalties. Let us remember: There is only one Government of India, and there must be only one Naga people.
Our children deserve a future where they are not born into factions, but into a nation. May God grant us the wisdom to unite, the courage to forgive, and the strength to build together. “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller.
May our Lord Jesus Christ bless the Naga people with wisdom, unity, and a brighter future.