Observing the present situation of the Nagas, a well-known Naga theologian, writer and thinker sent me a text saying, “Nagas must mentally and psychologically prepare to accept defeat.” It is sad indeed to hear that the Naga insurgency movement which is considered to be “the mother of all insurgent movements in North East India” is going to be settled without its dreamed goal. The cause of Nagas served for decades as the face of the oppressed groups of people who come together as one nation and fought for their rights and survival. NNM has many unique histories attached with it. It is one of the longest armed resistant movements in the whole of Asia. How many of the younger generation of Nagas know that the formation of Assam Rifles by the British Empire was to safeguard the British’s interest in trade and commerce (especially tea) in Assam and neighbouring villages from the ferocious Naga tribes who often raided them? How many Nagas are aware that the imposition of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (a legacy left behind by the British) was to crush the NNM for freedom? More than any other indigenous groups, Nagas occupied a respected position in India as well as among the many indigenous people’s groups around the world.
Any type of solution that is agreed upon for the Naga’s final accord will have huge impact on all the other indigenous people’s movement. If the Nagas stick to its shared sovereignty and get separate Flag and Constitution, then there is possibility for other indigenous groups to get greater autonomy from GOI. If Nagas settle for economic package, then all the indigenous people’s movement will be also settled through economic package in the footstep of the Nagas. Economic Package without Naga separate constitution will allow Uniform Civil Code (UCC) to crush our identity and culture. UCC will not spare even Article 371. It is because of NNM, many provisions were given in the Indian Constitution to safeguard the tribals and other minority groups. Naga’s solution is crucial for all other indigenous groups either to get or lose certain autonomy that would help them to preserve their distinct culture, identity, and livelihood. Whoever fails to comply with economic package will be crushed with military forces by GOI. What precedent should we Nagas demonstrate to other indigenous groups?
Today, Nagas cannot expect great thing not because of India but because of the unsettled internal issue. The Nagas have failed to produce a charismatic leader like AngamiZapuPhizo who goes around Naga villages and explaining to them the importance of political freedom. Leadership crisis at the top level among the various Naga Political Groups (NPGs) became a big stumbling block towards unity which is prerequisite for meaningful talk with a mighty country like India. The educated Nagas who got fat job from the government of India are simply fed up with NNM and successfully orphaned it. Tribalism is at its highest peak destroying the very idea of Naga nation and freedom. Many advanced Naga tribes appear to be more comfortable living under Indian arrangement rather than to be controlled by our own Naga tribes. Many leaders are too closely attached to one’s own ‘region’ and tribe that they failed to speak for the whole Nagas. Tribalism (if not my tribe, others are not ok) and leadership ego (if not me and my view, others are not ok) have destroyed Naga Hoho- the apex Naga organisation that has potential to bind together various civil organisations such as UNC, NTC, ENPO, etc. In such a situation as this, what kind of victory can we expect? We can expect only DEFEAT and prepare to accept it.
The ‘divide and rule’ policy of GOI had succeeded. It has pierced right through the communitarian spirit of the Nagas. Respected interlocutor RN Ravi seems to be taking advantage of the weaknesses and disunity of the Nagas. He wanted to settle the issue from the security perspective of India rather than the rights of the Nagas. Psychological warfare employed by Indian intelligent department especially by RAW has put the Nagas to suspect and fight each other. After decades of struggling together for a common cause, now many people are talking about region specific solution. There is also the idea of pursuing further for full freedom through democratic process after signing the peace accord. But if one goes by the Mizo Accord, that very plan is suicidal. Once the final accord is inked sans Naga Flag and Constitution, Nagas will be divided into pieces. We will then identify ourselves as Ao, Angami, Poumai, Mao, etc, and not by the generic name Naga. Naga Hoho will be dismantled. Naga Student Federation will fade away. India will not allow any organisation to exist or sprout up that could raise the issue of Naga’s freedom.
I am writing this note with tearful eyes. Thousands of Nagas, young and old have been praying with tears for decades to make Nagaland a distinct nation under the guidance of God. Has God failed us or have we failed God? Have we lost our faith in God who promised liberation and freedom to the oppressed and the downtrodden? Our failure to achieve freedom is not only a political failure but also a spiritual failure. Nagas have failed. On the day, we sign final accord- an accord of surrender, we are signing off our faith in God and the spirit of AZ Phizo and all the martyrs of Naga freedom movement will shed tears. Hundreds of manuscripts, documents and books on Naga histories will become meaningless and will be thrown into fire. Unless we repent, forgive one another and be united in God, there is no hope for victory.
