‘The various speeches delivered by NPGs on 21st March 2016, lacked the taste of Naga nationality. We find no visionary or revolutionary speech that could provoke debate and discussion among the Naga public’
Naga nation is a nation with many Presidents. Therefore, on every Naga Republic Day, i.e., 21st March, we listen to many presidential addresses that carry divergent views. It is unfortunate that Naga Republic Day is being used by some Naga Political Groups (NPGs) as a special occasion to open up the old wounds and rub salt on them. This is not only unhealthy but also shows disunity among the Naga families to the whole world. Time has come to accept the fact that what has happened in the past (Accords or Agreements) had happened because that was ‘the best (if not the only) option available at that period of time’. Therefore Naga leaders should not get obsessed with past events/mistakes but take them positively and guide the present generation with new vision so as to ensure security and development of future generation.
The main emphasis of the presidential address of GPRN/NSCN (Khehoi) was to keep its flock together from being going astray to other camps/groups. I quote, “Leaders and workers may keep running from one camp to another basing on their personal needs and requirements, every human being ambitious social animal, weaker person or less determined person may be seen changing their colours but it’s the problem of individuals. The nation gains nothing but steps into more confusion when such people try to cover their own weakness and misadventures.”
This statement assumed significance in the recent exodus event of Baba Gen (Rtd) Kholi and his loyalists from the GPRN/NSCN (Khehoi) to NSCN (IM). But GPRN/NSCN (Khehoi) must not forget that when they criticise others about ‘running from one camp to another’ or ‘changing their colours’, they were also former members of NNC, NSCN, NSCN(K) or NSCN(IM) before forming themselves as GPRN/NSCN (Khehoi). Who is better than who in the defection games?
In the same vein of GPRN/NSCN(Khehoi), the presidential address of the NSCN/GPRN-Reformation, after the ritual condemnation of Shillong Accord, cautioned the cadres of various Naga Political Groups (NPGs) against defection. I quote, “Defecting from one faction to another faction at this juncture will not help the Nagas as such practices will only create enmity and antagonism among different NPGs. Rather, Naga people must try to know to live together as one people although they work under different NPGs.” This statement (especially the last sentence) makes us to wonder whether the various NPGs are really willing to unite for common cause. The existence of many NPGs had brought much hardship to the Naga public. The NPGs must answer this question: How many more years should the ‘Naga people must try to live together’ under different NPGs?
The speech of the Acting President of NNC emphasised on unity of all Naga National Political Groups. I quote, “the NNC once again appeals to all the Naga National Political Groups to unite on one and only one political agenda for a solution in the interest of all the Naga people and future generations in consultation with all the stakeholders in the homeland.” It continues, “Lastly the Naga National Council will say once again on this occasion that the Government of India will always apply "divide and rule" policy to destroy Naga politics....” This shows that NNC is not ignorant of the danger of ‘divide and rule’ policy the GoI and the importance of unity among the Naga people. The problem with the NNC is that it cannot still accept the on-going talk between NSCN (IM) and the GoI as the talk had left behind ‘the mainland majority.’ One hopes that, for the sake of Naga nation, the NNC will, in the near future, translate its rhetorical speech of unity into action by befriending the different NPGs including the NSCN (IM). Even ‘right’ becomes ‘wrong’ when it is not applied in appropriate time. May be it’s ‘now or never’ for the Nagas to come together for common cause. Every NPG must leave behind the mentality of ‘if my group is not involved then others should not do it.’
The presidential address of the NSCN (IM) gives a brief sketch of the Naga political history starting from the time of the British. It also highlights the sympathetic views of various Indian leaders ultimately leading to the Framework Agreement signed on 3rd August 2015. This time the President is wise enough to avoid mentioning the Shillong Accord. The main emphasis of the presidential address is the Framework Agreement. However, with the content of the Framework Agreement kept in the dark, the President could only give us veiled hints of the future of the Naga people. I quote, “Since Gol has now recognized our sovereign right, the ownership of land and its resources, our unique history and identity, India will no longer be a threat to us. India and Nagas will be closely interrelated. We will be exercising maximum power for maximum development in all fields. This agreement will guarantee the rights of the Nagas and also address the security concern of India to a great extend.” It appears that the talk is heavily based on ‘Suisa’s Proposal’, so as to address the security concern of both India and Nagalim. Although the speech had highlighted ‘building bridge’ between India and Naga people, it did not talk about ‘building bridge’ among the various NPGs or tribes. We need solution not only with India but within Naga family.
Political solution with India but devoid of economic and social preparation back at home will injure the hard-earned freedom.
The various speeches delivered by NPGs on 21st March 2016, lacked the taste of Naga nationality. We find no visionary or revolutionary speech that could provoke debate and discussion among the Naga public. What the Naga public expect from our leaders is not mere elaboration of ‘what has happened in the past’ but more of ‘what is happening now’ and ‘how the Naga people will be in the near future as a nation’. If any speech had directly addressed the present situation of the Naga people, then it is the speech of Kilo Kilonser of NSCN (IM). However the content of his speech lacks clarity.
He stated that “The Nagas have now come to the stage of building material, mental and spiritual developments. This demands us to change from our rural mindset to that of the urban. We must move out of the land of scarcity and un-productivity to greener pasture. Urbanization of people is the beginning of developments...Let us rebuild our psychology, our faith, our land and our economy.”
It is confusing what he actually means by ‘the stage of building material, mental and spiritual developments’, or ‘change from rural mindset to that of the urban’, or ‘rebuild our psychology’. If we think carefully, shifting from ‘rural mindset’ to ‘urban mindset’ may cause more problem than solving it. From time immemorial, the Naga people have been living in rural areas. They enjoyed life and did not lack daily basic needs. In urban areas there exists inequality. Scarcity is created. Many people died of starvation. Many have no proper shelter. Urbanisation destroys tribal culture, habitats of birds and animals, forest, water sources, fertile land, etc. This is what India is pursuing in the name of economic growth. It will be too costly for Naga people to define development, like India, in terms of establishing mega-dams, heavy industries, steel plants, nuclear reactors or Green Revolution. Development should be on ‘need based’ not ‘want or luxury based’. It is the rural people who keep alive urban population. Therefore, when Naga attain its freedom, maximum benefit must go to rural areas. Land must remain with local people/village and state should not take it away in the name of urbanisation/development. Any movement with ‘empire building mentality’ cannot bring positive peace in the land. If the Nagas want to live as a distinct nation, they must retrieve, and improve the aged-old Naga village culture. When Naga villages become vibrant, a strong Naga nation will be born.
Today, Naga political leaders must tell us what different alternatives they have from that of Indian state or central government to address the problem of tribalism, economic inequality, political corruption, consumerism, sexual harassment, and patriarchy. How will they solve the problem of unemployment? What plans are there to protect land, forests and rivers from being grabbed by rich people/company? What kind of ‘development models’ are they considering as viable for the Nagas? What concern do they have for the welfare of the orphans, the differently-able people, the widows, the poor, old-aged, and the illiterate people? How are they going to enhance the living standard of vegetable vendors, of farmers, petty traders, butchers, carpenters, and others who are involve in daily manual labour?
How are they going to take care of environment: trees, birds and birds, herbal plants, agriculture, seeds sovereignty from the threat of global market forces? What will be the condition of Naga farmers whose labour we depend for survival? Let us talk about all these issues. Naga people have rich indigenous resources for social, political, and economic development. It is hoped that Naga leaders will employ innovative ideas and creative plans (much better than those of India) to develop Naga nation.
Otherwise freedom from India will have no meaning at all.
The views expressed here are purely that of the author and did not represent the view or opinion of any institution or organization. #for discussion: zkpahr@gmail.com# Z. K. Pahrü Pou, BTC, Pfutsero
