The surging cycle of political violence is once again perpetuating itself and ripping apart the fiber of Naga society. It has caused the most basic sense of trust to be suspended and has brought to the forefront the deep expression of anguish and collective loss and generated a profound sense of powerlessness in bringing it to an end. While the cry of anger and retribution is a human response, yet we are called upon to seek ways that will break the cycle of violence.
John Paul through his experiences in protracted armed conflict observes, ‘Anger that escalates to violence is generational, identity-based anger, which develops over time through a combination of historical events, perceived sense of threatened identity and experiences of sustained exclusion.’ While one may not fully agree with his observation, there are elements of truth and one that is important to understand because it is imperative that one does not reinforce the cycle of revenge and violence.
There is no doubt that a collective intervention is required to break the cycle of violence. One cannot remain immune. Yet the intervention must be strategic in which the systems and principalities of violence must be engaged with. The intervention must be about building new hope in which differences need to be addressed with clarity and truthfulness the roots of violence so that the cycle of violence does not regenerate itself again. To break the cycle of violence is to step outside of it.
Indeed realities are constructed. Therefore the healing and creation of a new society demands a process of building and sustaining different perceptions and interpretations of the same reality, and even facilitating the space for it to be defined by opposing opinions. In essence, the question of violence can be broken by a change of perception, which chooses to strategically respond to differences in unexpected ways. Hence, at its core, any intervention must touch the core with renewed perception, so that the cycle of violence does not regenerate in itself.
The answers to finding effective responses to complex and complicated situations are the power of simplicity. By this, one is not suggesting simplification of problems; rather it is about creating effective and simple ways to undo violence. When interventions are kept simple, they are easier for people to participate in, energetically pursue and most importantly to sustain. The power of persuasion is critical towards defining the process to address the burdens of history and the challenges of a common future.
Effective and strategic interventions emphasize on follow through to ensure that the cycle of violence does not regenerate itself. This demands nurturing and nourishing authentic patterns of human association and just relationships. The challenge is to elicit a new ethic of life which supports and sustains genuine engagement that encourages people to seek that which assures respect and dignity and to build a political, social and spiritual life that responds to fundamental human needs.
There is no other choice but to break the cycle of violence. As John Paul put it; ‘We will not win this struggle for justice, peace, and human dignity with the traditional weapons of war. We need to change the game again.’
