Valley Rose H Hungyo
The term “Too Naga” is a recent development. In my whole 50 years of life, I’ve never heard this term “Too Naga” until recently. When I heard this term, it was mentioned by some very important persons, who are among the top leadership positions among the Nagas Civil leaders and few leaders who are supposed or known to have committed all their lives in the struggles for Naga sovereignty or Naga Freedom. I was kind of “shocked” to hear this term from the very mouths of those who are leading the common people in the struggle for Naga Freedom.
As far as I belief and as I know, Nagas are claiming that we are Nagas. We are not British , So we did not accept the British rule in our land. We, (our Fathers and Forefathers) fought against the mighty British force, against their advancement to our Countries. We are still fighting against India because we are not Indians. We do not want the forceful intrusion of India in our land and forcefully ruling over our land and people. We have been struggling through the last more than half a Century. Time and again, our leaders like AZ .Phizo, RS. Suisa and many others had proved to the world that we are not Indians that we do not want to live under its administration. Our leaders though few were not afraid of the super gun power of the British nor the Indians. They were not even crazy about the wealth they could have accumulated if they had befriended with the British and Indian rulers. They fought to their last breath as a Naga, lived as a Naga, sang as a Naga, talked as a Naga about Nagas, fought for the rights of the Nagas as a Naga.
They lived in a Naga Political home under a Naga name “Naga National Council”
The days of the brave leaders are gone but not lost. Because many more youngster have responded to the call of the leaders to give themselves up for the rights of Nagas. Till date, the strength of the Naga fighters are growing stronger and stronger, Though many events both good and bad might have taken place in between, different groups might have come into existence, ideological differences might have cropped up among some leaders, yet, all of them still struggle for one single common goal, that is the “Naga Sovereignty or Freedom“ the political freedom of the Naga people, where we can have our own Government as we want, not under any alien people like the Indians or Britishers or any other nation to rule over us. Because of this goal the only cherished goal of all people born as a Naga, men or women, young or old, everyone is talking about Naga freedom. Thousands of them do not mind living away from home and their loved ones.
Throughout the process, hundreds of thousands of people have lost their lives. Thousands have lost their homes and properties and they are displaced and are compelled to live a life of a refugee in our own land (including the writer). All their lands and properties have been snatched by other people and they have been enjoying the fruits of our land while we, the Nagas, owner of the land, are watching with tears in their eyes and their hearts burning with anger, but not able to do anything.
The once upon a time rich Naga fellows are compelled to live from hand to mouth. Yet they continue to survive and fight just because of the “Nagas rights” and their goal to be free one day. When a group of the Naga freedom fighters under the ages of “National Socialist Council of Nagalim” (NSCN) under the leadership of Mr. Isak Chishi Swu and Mr. Thuingaleng Muivah agreed to sign Cease Fire agreement with the Govt. of India, the common Naga people were very happy with the hope that the days to complete freedom will come sooner. Almost all Naga from all walks of life expressed their hope and prayed to God to bring a solution to the vexed Naga problem. Many Naga civil organizations come forward and welcomed the Cease-fire and expressed to extend full support to the Peace-process. Thousands of Churches in the whole of Nagas land have fasted and prayed for the progress and success of the Indo- Naga Peace process. Hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets shouting for Nagas freedom several times. Several rounds of talks have taken place between the leaders of the NSCN and the Indian leaders. Several consultations have been held among the Naga National leaders and the common Nagas. In every consultation Naga Civil societies have expressed their full cooperation and support to the peace process.
Many Naga politicians have vowed and signed that they will do anything for the interest of the Naga people. They pledged that they will speak in support of the peace process both inside the house (Assembly & Parliament) and also outside the house. They have also declared that they will even resign from their post/ Membership( Minister/MLA/MP) if Naga need their service and sacrifice. They vowed that they are answerable to the Naga People if they fail to fulfill their commitment (Senapati Declaration 2002). But once they are elected, none of these members have kept their words. They have remained mum even when other communities openly shouted on their face in the Assembly that there are no Nagas in Manipur. There are no Naga MLAs in Manipur. All are Manipuris. Even when the Chief Miniater of Manipur declared “anyone who want to go to Nagaland may do so but they cannot take even an inch of Manipur’s land” none of those who vowed to speak for the Nagas rights remained silent. They could not open their mouth because they belong to the political house of those who are oppressing them. They can’t speak anything beyond the Ideology of the Political Party they belong. They signed a statement in support of the Indo-Naga Peace Process in Delhi which was submitted to the then Prime Minister of India but once they return to Manipur, they signed for the territorial Integrity of Manipur. This will continue if we feel ashamed to be “Too Naga”.
Now, Nagas are in a very critical situation. Govt of India have been playing delaying tactics all these years as expected. Their politics have been focused on extension of Cease-fire every time it comes to expire and nothing foreword. The Naga leaders Th. Muivah as the main negotiator with India have time and again expressed his dissatisfaction over the way the Indians are dealing with the Naga Issue. Very often, he had threatened to break the Cease-fire and his men to go back to the jungle and once again carry on with the guerilla warfare. But till date, India has been able to persuade the angry Mr. Muivah to cool down and agree to extend the cease fire. To my understanding, Mr. Th. Muivah have not succumbed to the persuasion of India to extend the cease fire but he agreed due to the pressure from the common Naga people. Because, Naga citizens want to live in peace. They do not want to repeat what happened all those years before the Declaration of Cease fire. He has to listen to the voice and desire of the common Nagas. Because, he and all the National workers are fighting for the rights and freedom of the Naga people and their land. If there are no Naga people, there won’t be any Naga land. If there are no Naga people with their land, there is no need to fight against India by anybody under any name whether NSCN(IM) or(K) or NNC. All these groups are fighting just for one common thing, that is “Freedom of the Nagas”.
Today, when the Nagas are in very critical situation, every Nagas from all walks of life need to think deeper and work more positively. More constructive ideas need to come out. Clear visions are needed and more committed missions are needed to accomplish the vision of Naga’s future. It is time when all the Nagas are expected to come together and stand united , firm on our Naga ground. We need to speak one thing that is of Naga’s goal, sing one song that is of Nagas, shout for one thing that is Naga’s victory, pursue for one thing that is solution to the Naga issue by integrating all the Naga areas which were divided by invaders without our consent. We want to live together as brethren of one family, the Naga family under one political roof.
We can achieve all these dreams only if we stand on a common ground. We can speak the same political language if we stand on a political home of our own. We can sing our song; we can eat our food we can wear our clothes, we can discuss our issues and solve our own problems. We can fight stronger if any invaders try to dispel us. We cannot talk and do anything we want as long as we are in the political home of others. How can I ever think of demanding my rights while I want to enjoy the favour of my oppressor? How can we say “I will work for the Nagas rights but it is better to live in their house?” How can we serve both Nagas and India? The Bible also says that “no man can serve two masters.”
If we love the schemes of India, we better forget about dreaming for Naga freedom. If we are truely willing to work for Naga freedom, better work and behave like a real Naga in everything we do. I’ve heard some prospective future MLA candidates in Manipur State saying “if we have “Naga” in our political Party name, it shows to be “Too Naga”. We better avoid to be too Naga so that we can get the support and favour of other Non - Naga communities. We will work for Naga cause secretly. This kind of thinking is ridiculous. How long should we try to work secretly? Is there anything to work under secrecy for a freedom movement? I don’t think so. It also sadden me to learn that some of these groups are claiming that they have the understanding with and blessing from the National leaders. If what they claim is right, I cannot think how National Leaders, who are dedicated of their whole being for the cause of the Nagas would yield to such bluff. If they are so scared to be Too Naga, why not our National Workers do away with the word “Naga” in their nomenclature? Can a Naga be a less or half Naga? If we are scared to be a real Naga, how can we expect to attain our goal, the Naga Freedom? If our Naga Politicians are seriously willing to work for the cause of the Nagas, they need not be scared to be called as “Too Naga”. They must be the real Naga. There is nothing “ Too Naga”. A NAGA is always a Naga. It is you and me, every Naga to lift our heads high and walk with pride for being a Naga.
KUKNALIM
