N Rong
Hope keeps millions alive to face toughest challenges. People anticipate that each day will bring a change in the course of their history. Changes do happen for worst or better, negative or positive. Each action has equal and opposite reaction, each cause has an effect hold true even in the societal level. The society goes through phases of transition and phenomenal changes in course of its history. In bad times and good times of history, ‘hope’ keep people alive and active. Hope is the force that helps people to navigate through the storm of despair, cloud of darkness and wind of desperations and sail across the oceans to the final destination. It is like a lamppost that directs the will to find a way to reach the end navigating the best possible routes using the best possible means.
The Naga, the fierce warriors, head hunters, belonging to the Mongoloid race living in the hill tracts of Himalayan range in South East Asia were free people practicing village republic democracy upholding people’s voice as supreme and were deeply community oriented and highly egalitarian society. They were suspicious of outsiders, consequentially killing many outsiders crossing their border lines and entering to their territory. Anyone who dared to cross the border of any Naga tribal’s kingdom would himself risked from been beheaded. Therefore, such head hunting practices and suspicions of alien culture, religions etc. could be best reason which prevented Naga from adopting any other religions like Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism etc. Observing on this account an Ao elder shared this insight to the writer, “When the fruit is ripe, God saw the ripe fruit in Naga’s territory and sent forth His workers to preach the Gospel to the Naga people. Like a bird flying to the ripe fruit, the Christian missionaries came to the Naga’s land and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the right time.” Naga were headhunters in the past and once again Naga are unified as Christians, this is God’s plan for the Naga to be His people, an Ao elder quipped.
The recorded history said Naga came together under common platform way back in 1918 as Naga Club and later submitted memorandum to the Simon Commission in 1929. In 1946 Naga National Council was formed, on 14th August 1947 Naga Independence was declared, on 16th May 1957 plebiscite was held where ninety nine Naga voted for Naga independence. On December 1, 1963 Naga People’s Convention accepted 16 Point agreement, Revolutionary Government surrendered in 1973, Shillong accord was signed in 1975 and later NSCNs was formed in 1980 and further split in 1988. Following these historical events, Naga for so long had engaged in bloody fight among themselves where common people are at receiving end losing their sons, brothers, fathers and husbands.
From early 1980s to 2008, Naga witness the worst internal fight among themselves, dividing to themselves and never having a hope for togetherness among the NSCNs and NNC. Efforts and attempts were made but failed many times, however, through initiative of the FNR led Dr.Wati Aier backed the commitment of leaders, the prayers of believers in Nagaland (Lim) and around the globe, the tireless efforts of Quakers from UK and members from World Baptist Alliance have made the September 18 2010 a Historic Moment in the page of Naga History where the highest level meeting was taken place in Dimapur. Th.Muivah, Gen Secy (NSCN-IM), N Kitovi, Gen Secy (NSCN-K) and Brig.(Retd.) Singnya, President (NNC) made a joint declaration to cease all form hostilities among them and mend the differences as outlined in ‘Covenant of Reconciliation.’ This is one of the greatest moments the Naga are waiting for, by both young and old. Is this a ‘September Revolution of True Peace and Unity’ born out of reconciliation and forgiveness revering and honoring the ‘Covenant of Reconciliation’, for the sake of Naga people, their political and historical rights? For this moment seems too difficult and impossible in the past, however, this has become a possibility now. Once an incomprehensible moment now become a reality as the Naga hear the news and saw their leaders together in newspapers.
It will not be a mistake to say that the highest reconciliation meet is an indication of placing Naga people’s voice supreme over the group’s interest, it is a heeding of divine call for Naga, it is a new defining moment for all the leaders rising above themselves. Indeed, it is precious moment which is so dear to every Naga people. Standing united, nothing will be too difficult to achieve.
While rejoicing over ‘Covenant of Reconciliation’ signed among the political parties, importantly, can it be said that the same voice of unity is calling among the Naga people themselves? The emotional outpouring, the physical concern, brotherly goodwill gesture exhibited in recent Mao-Gate episode is still fresh among the Naga people across the Naga territory. Such gesture of selflessness is really an inspiring one. That’s the Naga way of helping each other in the past. Rebuilding the broken walls among the Naga tribes is also paramount. Reaffirming the bond of oneness in spirit and letter is also called for at this historic moment among the Naga tribes (Naga tribes living in present Nagaland, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Myanmar).
The Naga civil society (ies) should rise to the moment by calling all the Tribe Hohos to a single common platform (e.g. inclusive of Naga Hoho, ENPO et al) to unify the people and establish strong emotional integration. The tribalism need to culminate to new understanding of openness to embrace each other as one family. Naga need to engage in new dialogue on strategic partnership on trade and commerce, cultural integration (in form of cultural exchange programme among Naga tribes), youth engagement programme like debate and dialogue, concerts (like ‘Sing for Peace Tour’ in all the Naga districts), poetry and essay writing and such other activities that will promote the better understanding and foster unity among the Naga people.
The grass root mobilization among the people is mandatory to establish grass root democracy where people’s voice gets the supremacy above anything. The bottom up democratic processes is very much required primarily for the sake of sustainable future and importantly retaining the very uniqueness of Naga political set up where each village was an independent entity. The effective mass mobilization, community sensitization and dialoguing engaging the people at the grass root level regarding their political and historical rights will not only democratize the movement but also will generate a forceful assertion that will sustain the movement.
Joint Working Committee (JWC) and FNR should look not back or give room for doubt, rather both should be determined and sincere more than ever to continue the journey of common hope upholding the ‘Covenant of Reconciliation’ at any cost until all can say the battle is over. Until the day Victory has come to the Naga people.
United Naga People, Political groups, Parliamentarians, professionals, students and farmers under the umbrella of Naga Nation will make every one proud to be a Naga once again. Towards hopeful future these can be some useful ingredients, firstly speaking out the truth, forgive and forget, reconcile to reconstruct, rethink to rebuild (Truth Triumphs), engaging intellectuals and professionals in nation building (Think Tank Group), accommodating genuine views and suggestions (openness towards positive change for better- Consensus and Confidence Building), platform for the young people to actively participate in the processes (participation of ultimate future stakeholders), thorough exercise on strength and weakness, threats and opportunities of Naga as community, drawing out concise, concrete and well strategized roadmap and plan mandated by the Naga people back with sound research and analysis mechanism, systematic democratic process, negotiations and dialogues towards the final Naga political settlement. One voice, one goal, one purpose will secure their hopeful future.
(For comment and feedback: neherong@gmail.com)
