While one can empathize with the people of Mokokchung for their manner of response against the transfer of the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung, their demand for the retention of the now incumbent DC symbolizes a deeper yearning that must not be lost sight of. This yearning reflects the collective desire of a people to have officers who not only have the will to implement well-intended policies and activities that enhance the quality of life in their area of jurisdiction, but officers who are also persuaded by a genuine sense of servitude which is guided by the wisdom and experience of the people who participate and contribute through consultative processes.
In essence, Mokokchung like the rest of Naga society craves for an administration that is rooted and reflective of the people. For too long the people have generally not felt and experienced the effective and efficient presence of an administration willing to listen to the people and to exercise democratic authority keeping the well being of the people first. Considering that the Naga situation has undergone decades of political crisis, it is only apparent that both the concepts of self and good governance have suffered intensely, more so when the crisis itself seeks to culminate into an alternative structure and content of governance.
Notwithstanding the form and content that any system of governance may take, central to its relevance is the need for it to proactively respond to the needs and situation of the people. It is of necessity for the officers to ensure that the administration is not only a legal entity, but one that is legitimate. The characteristic of legal recognition derives itself from the system which authorizes its existence and parameters of activities, whereas the issue of legitimacy is dependent on the acceptance and recognition of the very people it seeks to administer. Since the present system of administration in Nagaland is still a work in progress, suffering from a very strong colonial influence of administration, and hence not indigenized, one may argue that it has acquired more of a legal recognition than a legitimate acceptance.
Hence, every now and then when some individual officer comes along with an attitude of mutual respect and servitude for the people, with the courage to think and act outside-of-the-box; and in consultation with the people, the meaning of their relevance increases because it makes a difference in the lives of the people within a given area. At the end of the day, a society, any society wishes to engage in the process of creativity with officers who are not only legal representatives, but more importantly legitimate in the eyes of the people it seeks to govern. In a multi-cultural and diverse society such as the Naga people, the question of legitimacy cannot be undermined; and perhaps it is here that too many officers dwell in the area of legality, hence limiting their abilities to be more relevant to the people and the conditions of their time.
In conclusion, the unusual but quite understandable grievance and demand of the people of Mokokchung cannot and should not be politicized and reduced to a tug-of-war concerning the fate of an officer, who has proven his relevance within a period of time to the people of Mokokchung. Rather, the contention is a deeper issue of governance that is indicative and reflective of a growing public consciousness. The Naga public is no more satisfied with just mediocre officers and systems of governance; it demands a vibrant administration that is alive and responsive to the needs of the people. In other words, the Nagas are asserting for an administration that is not just relevant but also legitimate. It is in search for servitude!
