•-“Tumi laga matha kati dibode” roared a 5 foot something darkish man in his jeans. The average built Naga man was obviously shouting at a non-Naga autorickshaw walah. This incident happened today at about 2 p.m. within the premises of the Nagaland State Cooperative Bank (NSCB) headquarters at Kher Mahal.
The poor driver was apparently made his run towards the safer confines of the building gate where some private security guards stand round the clock. I saw the guard standing between the two men and was obviously trying to cool the 30 something Naga.
Perhaps, the ‘local’ man was infuriated at the brown skinned man because he was being charged an abnormal rate for such a short auto trip. Perhaps, I don't know.
I write this because Naga identity and sense of their nationalism is so very confusing. We can treat others like nothing, as if they are less than human beings, no matter the provocation.
Recently, including today, newspapers have screamed headlines stating Maos are not going to be allowed to pass through Angami territory (here South Angami areas) until the latter surrender some alleged ‘criminals’ who they accuse of infringing upon a land they claim is theirs.
It must be humiliating for a tribe to be targeted this way.
I have never heard of Nagas within Nagaland threatening each other this way. Perhaps because we have numbers and are legitimate citizens and cannot be threatened that way.
These guys have no job reservations. They have no quotas for anything here. They are here because of better opportunities to earn and sell their goods, their skills. Is it better to have them or have Mias. Well, we may say Mias are more productive and useful during elections.
They are pushed out of Manipur because Meiteis dominate them. They have nowhere to go. I am certain there are elements within them that disturb the peace once in a while. Every society has, but can we just watch a Naga being targeted and insulted that way?
I believe some provocation have taken place and still I think better ways will be found to resolve issues, rather than resort to such a communal means.
Ordinary and innocent Maos, and many non Maos are going to be victimized. Their memories will be scarred with these insulting ways for generations and we must speak up against these methods.
Cynthia
Rangapahar, Dimapur
