As Nagaland observed the 43rd Anniversary of its Statehood Day on December 1 Friday last, the future course of the State’s polity remains in doubt for several reasons. While there are countless number of challenges to be addressed on the socio-economic front, the unresolved Naga political problem more than anything else stands in the way of the ideals and aspirations of the Naga people. A peaceful negotiated settlement acceptable to all sections of the people needs the urgent attention of all concerned both over-ground and under-ground sections.
While the peace process currently underway aims at bringing about a political solution, a simultaneous process of converging all shades of political opinion into a common forum must also be taken up in all seriousness at the highest level both by the State government and the mass based civil society groups. Failure to do so would only deepen the division among the Nagas. Politics as it has often being said is the art of the possible. But to be successful in statecraft also requires political ingenuity and this can come about only if there are able and selfless leaders who can guide the destiny of the nation. Political maturity on the part of the current leaders from among the Nagas more than anything else will determine the path either to upheaval or to a more secure, peaceful and prosperous future for the Nagas.
Coming back to the question of Statehood, there should be no two opinions that Statehood did not bring about any permanent settlement to the political cause of the Nagas. The 16 point agreement is proof enough that several key issues remain unresolved between India and the Nagas. The political leadership in India must therefore use the occasion of the current peace talks to fulfill it part of the bargain. Statehood was at best a ‘temporary ordering of things’, although it has to be mentioned that it did provide a semblance of order and opened opportunities for some Nagas to develop and progress. People have to some extent enjoyed the fruits of development but much more still needs to be done. The challenges are many but opportunities are few and these calls for society’s collective wisdom and the leadership’s political will in rebuilding of a divided nation.
Retrospection on Statehood day will remain incomplete if the need for promoting good governance in Nagaland is not mentioned. It is important to emphasize that good governance must be developed within the context of Naga society. Due consideration must be given to traditions in order to allow the Naga people to identify with their government. As is the case in communitization and village development boards, other positive elements of the political heritage of the Naga people should be adopted in order to form and sustain a governing model unique to the Nagas. But without political vision and inspiration, even this will not be possible. The sustained and active engagement of all local actors in an environment of peace and order is a necessity. If this is not done, the concept of a Naga Renaissance would remain but a chimera.
