Agono Iralu
In our daily North-east Seven Sister’s newspaper, there was a report from New Delhi dated 5th March, 2012 that the Eastern Nagas and Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) would arrange a meet with Union Home Minister, P.Chidambaram on the issue of a separate state for the Eastern Nagaland. This is not the first article citing the miserable living conditions of the districts in Eastern Nagaland and their wish for a new state because of these reasons. Indeed, there have already been a lot of debate and discussions. The Nagaland government has even recommended to create a Sixth Schedule area in view of the demand by the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization for a separate ‘Frontier Nagaland’.
Within Indian history, Post-Independence, we have seen a lot of upheavals resulting in the formation of states under reasons citing linguistic differences, cultural affinity, religion etc. etc. It has brought a form of stability or diversity even within the nation when boundaries demarcate the different states and their respective languages, cultural affinities, etc. etc. However, we have also seen some very stark realities of regionalism within states, besides the monopoly of Politics. We are reminded of the very recent anti-Bihari violence in Maharastra in 2008 which had resulted in a record of 40,000- 60,000 of internal refugees within India.
However, considering a case like Jharkhand state who had fought for a separate state since 1947, and with different obstacles both within themselves and outside, they finally succeeded on 15 November 2000. Jharkhand is now a full fledged state and development have finally come to its once impoverished citizens. Besides having their own identity and unique tribal heritage, other reasons for Jharkhand’s demand for a separate state were also laid on the grounds of failure of development policies which did not intervene in socio-economic conditions of the Adivasis (Tribals of India and even considered its original inhabitants) and also including the non-Adivasis in the region, too.
Another issue rising in the south is Telangana regions’ demand for a separate state from Andhra Pradesh. The revolt or rebellion had started back in 1968 when students in Osmania University protested against the discrimination in government jobs towards Telangana people. Ironically Andhra Pradesh is considered one of the more developed states within India, unlike Bihar. Also states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are considered to be more ‘reform-oriented’ in terms of economic policies compared to other states within India. Telangana regions have their own distinct history which separates them from Andhra Pradesh and their reasons for a separate state is also on the grounds of perceived injustices in the distribution of water, budget allocations and jobs.
The (former) General Secretary of ENPO, Toshi Wongtung quoted in the newspaper, “Autonomous Council is not the option we are looking for. The state government has failed to look after and safeguard the interest of the Nagas inhabiting in the Eastern Frontier of the State,” He further added, “Both mentally and physically we are very far from Kohima, the seat of power in Nagaland. Delhi is too far. Nobody listened to our cry all these years. We will continue our movement democratically till we achieve our goal.” The Seven Sister’s paper went on further to report that the Union government is maintaining a cautious approach to the entire development saying they would “not want another protracted underground movement in the region” this, quoted by an anonymous high home ministry official. What it would like to see in Nagaland right now, it was further reported, is that all the factions come together and reach a final agreement. And so with its hands tied too, the Union Government will have to measure its options carefully and approach this new development of six tribes within Nagaland state, without hopefully creating more conflicts in Nagaland.
The ENPO delegates also plan to organize seminars in Delhi during the intermittent recess period of the budget session and have invited experts of the North-east and also important political figures who may support them because of the “pathetic conditions and reasons for raising the demand for a separate statehood within Nagaland.” Behind this backdrop, each individual is also wondering what this could bring. I have framed some questions myself to address my curiosity about this recent events;
1. Will ‘Frontier Nagaland’, ENPO now, survive on their own?
The politicians from Eastern Nagaland have always shown a united front concerning Eastern Nagaland. With the exception of the Tobu incident, which was an internal issue between the Changs and the Konyaks, the people from Eastern Nagaland have always exemplified a united front. With six tribes in the new ‘Frontier Nagaland’ they constitute a majority of Nagaland, if each tribe within Nagaland were to ask for a separate state for themselves. However it would not be altogether nonsensical to ask whether they could survive well as a separate state.
With half the population of Nagaland from the Eastern side, if they do stay could they not assert themselves stronger in the political scenario? Even a Chief Minister in the state? This form of unity among the politicians of Eastern Nagaland do not project itself parallely with the other districts whether Western, Southern or Northern regions Nagaland. If they do decide to stay within the state, would they be able to achieve their goals and aims better than in a separate state?
2. Will they further divide among themselves?
Given our differences with each tribe speaking, not dialects, but different languages we are indeed diverse. Although having some cultural affinities among ourselves and even a shared history from a certain time in history onwards, the affinities within the tribes which gives a common platform also sets a reality of diversity and difference among us.
3. Will they be neglected?
I would hope that this issue is amicably settled and we are not left bickering with each other, but looking towards a better society for each individual. I hope that North-eastern ‘conflict-regions’ of India does not result in Eastern Nagaland being further neglected by the central government. It would be very unfortunate if what they hoped for in asking for a separate state is not met when they do achieve it.
In this column I would also like to address the issue of corruption in Nagaland and where each district, each community, each society is effected by the lackings of the government body which does not prioritize a public’s welfare. It also contributes to other evils like nepotism, bribery, lack of efficient people in jobs and a general discontent among the people, rightly deserved when a government is no longer functioning. But rather, functioning for its own benefit where the public are left neglected. We may not call that a government. Basic necessities are often completely neglected. Kohima, the capital of the state has faced water scarcity for almost 10 years now. But where is the hand of the government on this very relevant topic? Kohima is the capital and every year its citizens face water-shortage problem with very little change but perhaps that the water sources will become further as the population grows and the scarcity of water more because of it. If Kohima is lacking in a basic basic necessity such as water every year, how would we predict the other districts? How could the interior regions of Nagaland by the border of Burma ever envision a better society for themselves??
If we are not able to address these issues, when will we ever hope of seeing a better society for ourselves? For the future generations to come and even for us who will live on, after the generation above us have died. It almost seems like a hierarchy of Corruption of the state and accordingly district after district is neglected according to what preference they have and even the distance from ‘the money bank’, if I may rightly call it so. Crores and crores of rupees are given to the state for development, infrastructure, healthcare etc. etc. and where do they go? Why do we never see its materialization, even in a basic commodity such as water? Corruption is rotting us to the core and the public suffers at its very rod. One of our best example is Eastern Nagaland right now. Even our wake-up call. Since the formation of statehood in 1963 and 49 years running, one year short of half a century, why has Nagaland not developed like other states in India? Why does the government still staunchly shakes its head against development? Or is it the people? The request for another state to meet its needs and bring justice like Jharkhand and what Telangana is asking for right now? Where, perhaps, it would be the same leaders all over again who govern them, and give or take 1 or 2 decades that they will need to develop themselves one only fears if Corruption will yet again tear their hopes into more under-developed state, neglected by their own leaders while the common people suffers even more yet again!
