Speakers advocate unity for a just society

Dimapur, Oct. 27 (EMN): As the Indo-Naga political talks inch closer for a final settlement, principal of Tetso College, Dr. Lorin has advocated unity of the people based on peace and justice as the most important factor to pave way for the Nagas at this juncture. Dr. Lorin stated this while speaking at the 13th Morung Dialogue organised by the Naga People’s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), Delhi Chapter, on October 20 in Delhi on the theme “Imagining a just Naga society.” Dr. Lorin, who was the speaker of the programme, outlined the political history of the Nagas from the Simon Commission to the August 3, 2015, Framework Agreement (FA) and the present political talk perceived to be at the verge of conclusion. He pondered as to why the Nagas has signed so many Accords and Agreements in the past many years. He was encouraged to note that the Nagas have traversed and come thus far with ‘determination and commitment.’ Another speaker, Gam A Shimray, secretary general of Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), examined the Framework Agreement and wonder why it was interpreted differently by the two negotiating parties. He analysed the present Naga society and the possibility of establishing a just Naga society and institutions in the same principle of consent making used in the establishment of Naga customary laws and traditions. Shimray observed that the confusion and differences in interpretation can be traced back to the many characteristics and contents left undefined in the framework agreement. Stating that India has its own conceptions of the terms used, Shimray has attributed ‘no common understanding of the terminologies and political terms used in the FA’ for the differences. “The terms used were not agreed upon in the way one thinks and therefore the differences,” he said. Shimray opined that problem in the Naga society today is mostly spiritual rather than economic or political. “We are in a crisis of spirituality. We feel so uprooted, we are beginning to doubt ourselves. We are faced with immense psychological and emotional conflict. In such a situation, the human tendency is to resolve the crisis at the earliest. But at what cost? Should we surrender and lose everything of who and what we are? What then should we do as a people? Who should define the Nagas,?” Shimray questioned. Even though Nagas are traditionally referred to as ‘warriors,’ Shimray felt that was a wrong connotation. He stated that the history of Nagas never professionalise war and warriors. He, however, stated that whenever there is a call to rescue and defend the honour of the people, they were all altruistic volunteers. Shimray lamented that all those wonderful principles are losing its place today as the economic elites, the government and the media all colluded together to exploit and destroy the Naga society. He called upon the Nagas to further their traditional values and to look at community living as a basis to the future. He also urged the gathering realise that it is easier to destroy than to create. He ended by saying that sovereignty lies with the individual. Stating that constitution is only a consequence of individual sovereignty, he said the Indian concepts of rights cannot define “us nor be applied to us.” Naga elders including Dr P Ngully; L Adani, former UNC president; and Seth Satsang, former ANSAM president, were also present at the dialogue.