Rev. Fr. G. L. Khing
Relationship can be temporal and lasting. Some people enter into relationship with profit motive alone. As long as the other party pleases them, the relationship exists in a superfluous manner. But with the entry of little misunderstanding, the relationship comes to an end. In other words, we base our relationship on material things forgetting the values of human life. The promotion of human life is kept at the edge of our heart. We live our lives hanging on a single thread of individualism.
The sight of a woman carrying a child at her front and a basket at the back was a story not to be told. Along with her were many other men and women carrying sacks of vegetables and household items walking from Mao Gate to Police Check gate, Khuzama (i.e from Manipur to Nagaland). They walked through the heavy rain on a slushy road. Any passerby with a heart in his/her flesh will certainly feel their pain. Oh!... this is really a Christian treatment given to one’s own brothers and sisters. In any conflict between two or more villages, the innocent and the blameless suffer the consequences. Yes, for sure, both the parties are right in their own ways. Their arguments are respected, not condemned. But cruel treatment against one another will never bring any solution; it only hurts the very lives of the people. Such story will be told from generation to generation. A tall monolith of ‘Peace Treaty’ can never wipe away the tears of the innocent people. Neither can it turn the history into a new page. History can never be changed. One day of celebration is not going to wipe out the long dark history. In this world, no one is really or fully at peace with each other. Even a wife and a husband live under the same roof with their differences. Yet, adjustment of life with each other count the most. Many villages have some shady story against the other. The flame of this fire goes up and down depending on the exaltation and degradation of one another. The ability to live with one’s own neighbour is becoming harder day by day.
A small fight between two Nagas of Nagaland and Manipur can bring about indefinite bandh of Kohima-Imphal road. The same can be implemented by the Assamese for the Nagas. But their better and higher vision do not allow them to do so. If it happens, the Nagas will become only living skulls. We do not want to walk from Khatkuti to Nagaland gate. It will be the most sorrowful walk. What we dislike and hate, we need not give it to other people.
The progress and development of the State is not counted by the tall mansions and buildings. It is counted by the formation of human life. We must not allow the poor villagers to suffer because of the decision of the influential people of the society. In most cases, the decision makers are least affected. They decide the good or the bad and continue to live their normal lives. Whereas the simple villagers are forced to eat the ill-effect of the decision.
Sad to say that the Nagas of Nagaland has less regard for the Nagas of Manipur (if not in action, at least in attitude. Pardon me if I am wrong). The sense of brotherhood exists only in the cloud. The cloud never comes down. The Nagas of Nagaland shower upon them a step-mother’s treatment. We try to ignore their very existence. I heard a friend of mine commenting, “Tai khan ki ase! Manipur Naga he ase to.” By this he mean to say that he does not bother the Nagas of Manipur. I am sure he will not say the same to people of other race. This type of people can easily mingle with foreigners of black and white complexion but not with their own kith and kin. This attitude is fast developing in the minds of the youngsters. Only with some political cement, the relationship is kept temporal. Apart from this, there is a chasm between us. There should be social understanding between the two. The two have to be understood and treated as ‘One’ for the larger interest of the Nagas. We are Nagas not because of territory. We are of one flesh and blood. This is our collective name and pride.
The hard working people of Nagas in Manipur are to be appreciated. Their intellectual caliber is higher than many Nagas residing in Nagaland. This is why there are many Nagas of Manipur in other States of India and abroad holding white-collar jobs in different offices. The ratio is higher than the Nagas of Nagaland. This clearly indicates that they have learned to establish their lives well, whereas the major portions of Nagas of Nagaland are still leaning behind. I do not deny the Nagas of Nagaland who have thrived in life by their hard work and success. They have earned their lives. There are also people who pay much honour to the Nagas of Manipur. They know the umbilical cord of connection. But the younger generation may lose sight of this relationship if not cared for.
It is time that we treat each other with concern and respect. Only by this can we call ourselves ‘Nagas.’ Let us stand as collective Nagas and not as individual Naga. Let no feeling of hostility divide us. This will create Nagaland for a greater purpose.
