In the beginning, the Naga freedom fighters were one, one principle one aim. With the passage of time they split and became NNC, NSCM – (IM), NSCN- (K) (N-factions). In the same manner, after the interim Nagaland Government, different political parties (P-parties) emerged. Then the Christian church split into unaccountable denominations (C-denominations) and groups were formed even in the village levels and this process is bound to continue.
The Split groups, parties and different churches all claim to stand for the betterment of the people and to save the souls of mankind. Splits and coming together of the underground organizations, political parties and the churches are general phenomenon and not to be surprised.
Can they ever come together at this present stage? No, no at all, even if uncle Phizo, grand father Mahatma Gandhi came back alive. They will not unite under one pretext or the other as vested interested leaders’ influence will go out of hand. But above all the churches leaders who stand for the love of one another, purity of thought and mind, peace through unity have not given a thought how all Christian could come together. Nor the Pope in Rome had given a thought or call for unity of different Christian denominations.
The Naga public leaders, churches and some public organizations are coming out against supremacy battles and appeal for coming together of the NSCN – (IM) and NSCN – (K). Even politicians have shed crocodile tears. But some have not opened their mouth.
While the Shipoumaramth Rights Watchdog respect all the Naga underground leaders, the NSCN – (IM) and NSCN – (K), but there are mix feelings as 1) one group have been successfully working for the Naga Nationals cause for an appropriate solution 2) the other grouup are busy analyzing and criticizing the steps taken up by its rival group and nothing more, 3) while the third group are concerned with the fading organization’s name.
Who is responsible for all this? It is the people, (meaning people support the three groups) as stated by one tribal hoho president in the Naga Hoho Federal meeting. This being so, supremacy battles are fought and fight they must, as in the case of the Sri Lankan Tamils fighting for an independent homeland where LTTE crashed the other two factional groups and became supreme and leading the struggle.
The Nagas had enough of false truth campaigns hurled on each group of the freedom fighters. If they are true patriots, they should blame the government of India (GoI) for their double standards and not resolving the Naga issue. But things are running in the opposite directions as described by the Naga International Support Centre (NISC) a foreign based group which appeared in the Sangai Express paper of July 10, 2006 page three.
The Nagas struggle with the mighty Indian Nation is a formidable one. The world politics is based on economic strength and Nagas have none, then our rights. But the collective leadership have been hobnobbing around the world and gaining support. These, the ordinary people of the villages and towns could not feel, see and touch. To say that 8 years of cease fire is too long or too short is a poor man judgement. But one thing is certain, the longer the cease fire is extended the nearer the solution will be.
It is stated that, human memories are short and for the last 8 years of the cease fire, we are forgetting the turmoil of people rounded up, beaten, shot and fear psychosis prevailed. If no solution is brought about by the present leadership of the NSCN – hon’ble Isak and Muivah there will be chaos and blood will flow in Nagalim. Who will be responsible for this? It will be not the NSCN (IM) but the respectable people who knows such thing is bound to happen but goes against the movement for selfish interests. It is high time that the people speak out what is good and what is wrong in the family, person to person discussion and all available forums and avenues.
P. Lakhao, Convenor
Shepoumaramth Rights Watchdog
Senapati (Tahamzam)
