Dr Asangba Tzüdir
Looking at Naga Society today, so many issues which have a huge bearing on the future of Nagas are sadly at crossroads and at a crucial juncture. On the political issues, time and again, since the signing of the Framework Agreement between the GOI and the NSCN (IM) it has been reminded that a solution to the Naga political Issue will happen soon. Even recently, the National General Secretary of the BJP who was at the State capital to discuss about the upcoming parliamentary elections while addressing a press conference, claimed that the “the ongoing talks between the Naga Political Groups and GOI are in the advanced stage and a solution is to be expected soon” and added that they were “thrashing out a solution that would be acceptable to all, including the neighboring states of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.”
The contours are slowly emerging, and that the solution is being ‘worked’ within the constitution of India. This has also created a renewed interest surrounding the ‘framework agreement’ to reveal the ‘hidden contents’ of the ‘framework.’ Whereas, the General Secretary of NSCN (IM) Muivah has said that the ‘framework agreement’ would have to be kept a secret to “save the course of the talks.” “Time will come [when it will be shared with the public]. It is a secret because until a complete settlement is done, some secrecy will have to be maintained.”(Vijaita Singh, ‘NSCN has not given up on sovereignty, says Muivah.’ The Hindu, 8th July 2016). Today, various consultative meetings are being held but considering the nature of the issue, the pursuit of a solution to the Naga Political Issue that is “honorable and acceptable to all” requires a transparent and inclusive mechanism in order to bring out the collective ‘Naga will,’ and for which a basis would be to reveal the contents of the ‘political solution.’
Another political issue that has caused ripples in the state since the publication of the final draft of Assam’s National Register of Citizens which left out over 40 lakh applicants is the demand for inclusion of Dimapur within the purview of ILP. The point of contention is the BEFR (Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation) 1873 vis-a-vis, The Nagaland Code Vol I, published in 2004. Nonetheless, as ‘guaranteed’ by the provisions under the 16 point agreement, the demand for inclusion of Dimapur within the purview of ILP should be pushed further. Yet, ‘illegal infiltration’ needs to be stopped but Nagas cannot afford to miss the larger battle where the ‘economy of Nagaland’ finds severely hijacked, that, bringing Dimapur within ILP zone alone will not help restore Naga economy in the ‘right hands. Nagas may own the land, but unless Nagas own the economy, Nagas own nothing. In short, Nagas need to shed their ‘duplicate skin’ in order to build a sustainable Naga Economy and live as masters and not as slaves in their own land. Presently, Nagas are just enslaving themselves either by ‘welcoming’ or ‘hiring’ others.
On the state of governance or rather ‘misgovernance’ today, as rightly pointed out by former Governor of Odhisa Dr. S.C. Jamir, “a systemic overhauling is the need of the hour for Nagaland.” While some concerted efforts are noteworthy, but it is still far from building an inclusive system of governance that delivers justice and equitable living. This calls for a total refurbishing of the system of governance and one that stresses on participatory governance keeping in mind the basic political right of equal concern and respect by the state towards each individual citizen as an equal moral worth. The state being the provider and guarantor of life should act upon the morally obligated duty of good governance which would also instill a sense of responsibility among the citizens.
Coming to the problems of unemployment, with excess employment in the Government sector and rising number of educated unemployed and ‘unemployable’, another time bomb is ticking. Today, education sans skill and specialization is rather archaic. Hence, life skills development is the only way to meet the challenges ahead and to sustain life. Beyond the cramped Government sector, Nagas need to grab the various opportunities in the private sector. With the imposition of ban on the sale of fish, one can imagine where all the ‘fish-sellers’ have gone? Who knows, some of them may have turned into a barber. Naga youths are slowly opening their vision towards entrepreneurship and it is here that the Government needs to create more sustaining avenues where the youths can acquire proper skill training especially entrepreneurial skills. One may have education and skills but not capital. Thus, the government needs to invest on skill development besides providing capital resources to encourage entrepreneurship. This will lead to an increase in human capital along with human resource development. Nagas need to engage in the battle of killing this ‘economic dependency syndrome.’
All these and more are indicators of the present Naga predicament. This sums up the larger battle and which cannot be fought from our comfort zones. The quest for a peaceful and a good life will go more distant unless Nagas are willing to come together with a sense of collective responsibility and with a purpose to fight the larger battle to safeguard our land and live as masters.
(Dr. Asangba Tzudir is a Freelance Research and Editing Consultant. He contributes a weekly guest editorial to The Morung Express. Comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
