Investing in good neighborly relationship is truly worth the effort as can be seen from the recent economic blockade imposed by the All Assam Students Union (AASU) against Nagaland and the subsequent lifting of the same. The fact of the matter is that even though some errant cops from Nagaland may have assaulted student protestors from Assam and the angry response from the AASU, at least the civil society of both Assam and Nagaland have been maintaining cordial ties. And because of this good vibe it became all the more easy to communicate and do dialogue with each other. This was amply visible during the recent standoff with the AASU as a result of the unfortunate September 15, 2010 incident. Due credit should be given to our civil society on both sides especially the AASU and the Naga Students Federation (NSF) for the help in diffusing the crisis. Unfortunately the governments in both Guwahati and Kohima could do very little remaining only as mute spectator. Simply put the State government despite having huge resources at its disposal seems utterly incapable of resolving issues. This can be understood from the fact that the State depends on coercive force and not on goodwill. This should be a valuable lesson learnt for all including the State and political establishment. Governance should not only be about power, officialdom and force. Relationship is vital but unfortunately this remains outside the discourse of State affairs.
It is a known thing that Assam and Nagaland does have the ‘sensitive border’ problem which is yet to be resolved. Notwithstanding this, thanks to a strong people to people contact and the sustainable relationship build and nurtured over the years, the problem on the ground has not vitiated into bigger conflicts. And this bond of friendship between the Assamese and Naga people must continue. Every effort must be made to sustain this very important relationship between the two peoples. At the same time, the governments of the two States and also the Government of India and other institutions involved in trying to solve the border question should seriously think about using the goodwill of people’s group on both sides to try and hammer out an amicable solution to the border dispute through mediation, goodwill and mutual understanding. The AASU and NSF should also think about starting a people to people dialogue on the border issue. While Nagaland’s bond with Assam is definitely positive and amiable, what about the other neighbor Manipur? Should we now do more to invest in good neighborly relationship with the Meitei people? On the surface, the logical argument would be that since we are strategically better located (the vital supply route passes through NH 39 along Naga areas in Manipur) we don’t have to worry about building and having good ties with the Meiteis. Or if need be any relationship should be in the terms and conditions dictated by the Nagas. However this is not what good neighborly relations is about. What we need to do is start repairing the broken relationship and build mutual trust slowly. We need the Meitei people’s support as much as they need ours. Today the Nagas are demanding an ‘alternative political arrangement’ out of Manipur. We cannot just severe ties with anybody and expect our demand to be met on a platter. A people to people contact between the Meiteis and Nagas can be a starting point. We need to talk to our neighbors and not shout at them. While there will always be differences whether it is with the Assamese or Meiteis, dialogue and nurturing better relationship will remain beneficial in the long term.
