Policy makers will pass away, but implemented policies will remain
Kedi Haralu
The Delimitation Commission, regarding delimitation taking place only after a decade has stirred the hornets nest, for some districts stand to gain while some will tend to lose, hence it is a paradox of an issue. But in Nagaland it has become the butt of attack for the present Government is unfortunate that such a decision is being taken during their rule, although the mistake was done earlier after Nagaland got its statehood and the Legislative Assembly came to being. As a person belonging to Peren District, I am surprised that both the (Baudi) HOHO and the AZSU has not added one significant point in their memorandums, which would have given them an extra edge over the Commission.
If my records are right, was their not 3 members in the Interim body, representing Peren District? Were there not two Zeliang’s and a Kuki in the interim body? I know so, since my own Uncle, Late Razouselie Haralu was one of them in the interim body. But when elections took place there was only two Constituencies i.e. 7 Peren A/C and 6 Tenning A/C. Infact although there were three in the interim body one more seat should have been included.
Unfortunately since the error was done knowingly due to selfish interest of the earlier politicians, rectifying the problem will be nearly impossible since the date for delimitation will be 2026 and not before that. We may shout and yell at the present Government and call for bandhs and strikes, but it is simply of no use, since the State Government is powerless. The Delimitation Commission has appointed associate members from the State, but they are there just to be made scapegoats, plus the State Government is just there to face the ire of the public, hence, the public should not blame them, for it has become a matter of “the chicken coming first or the egg.”
The Delimitation Commission’s decision is being prepared without knowing the intricate complexity of our political history, thus no one stands to gain. The Centre does not realize the importance of tribes in the districts, thus they prepare and make decisions as any other state in India, which is the biggest mistake.
Even the rearrangement of Constituencies will badly affect some Constituencies, thus the Center needs to be told and retold if necessary, to ensure justice to all tribes in Nagaland. We cannot continue to suffer just because of the error (knowingly, for their own selfish gain) of some past politicians, for policies remain the same and politicians, as humans pass away. So the million dollar question is what is in wait for our future, plus if the second coming of Christ is delayed till then, most of the policy makers would be deceased or too old and senile. It is like waiting for a scientific breakthrough of a wonder drug or vaccine for an incurable ailment or virus. The meeting which will be held at Zonal Hall Kohima in a few days time will not in any way bring out answers, but it will confuse the people more.
Lastly all we can do now is to wait and see, for if other States oppose the draft, different tribes in Nagaland (tribal HOHO’s) should also react and gain more momentum, for depending on the State Government will be a fruitless waste of time. “To be or not to be – that is the question.”
