The information revealed about the proposed Supra-State body for the Nagas by The Seven Sisters Post newspaper has led to all sort of speculation, confusion as well as what this newspaper feels is a misconception of the proposal itself. Something as important and sensitive as a peace proposal ought to be treated with more caution rather than emotional outburst. Many of our non-Naga friends and those in the media also seem to be ill-informed about the whole thing. For instance one news headline used the term ‘Naga supra state’. The same news report quoted one of the non-Naga civil group from Assam as stating that “Nagas have been offered a supra state body in Naga inhabited areas of Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh”. Further, the non-Nagas are under the impression that parts of district or land will also be included in the supra state body. The fear is that a Supra State body is a threat to people belonging to other non-Naga communities. This to our mind is completely a wrong reading of the reported proposal. Whether one refers to it as a pan Naga or Supra body, actually there are already common forums available where Nagas come and function together. One can take the example of the Naga Hoho or the Naga Students Federation, which is operative in Naga areas of other States. So what is so wrong with a proposal that aims to bring together Nagas spread across different States through an imaginary model and which does not in any way involve any redrawing of existing boundaries.
It seems to be that those who are always trying to find fault with the Indo-Naga issue tend to go overboard most times. Their reactionary mindset does not even give any room for constructive ideas or creative solution to come out of the peace process. This is very unfortunate and it will only lead to more heartache for people of the north east region. At a time when as good neighbors we need to support each other in resolving old problems with new ideas and to move ahead with the times, we are making ourselves disable through our short-sightedness and misplaced fear of each other. Then off course we should be very watchful of powerful vested interests who will want the status-quo to continue. We need to realize that it is only through reason and understanding that we can resolve our differences and forge ahead as good neighbors. For far too long we have allowed our emotion to dictate our action. Our neighbors especially those who are apprehensive about a political settlement involving the Government of India with the Nagas should not have any misapprehension about their own future. Nagas have no right to take from others what does not belong to them. We must respect other people’s rights and honor them. Similarly Nagas want an honourable solution based on their own rights and history, which should also not be denied or taken away from them.
Nagas must advocate peace with our neighbors
In our recent editorial on this subject of Supra State Body, we had made a mention about having some kind of strategy in place. We need to put our heads together and come up with some initiative. All these years since the ceasefire and peace talks began, the thinking was centered on finding a political solution and reconciliation of the warring armed Naga groups. It is becoming obvious that we need another dimension to be infused into the Naga peace process and that is to start the process of reaching out to our immediate neighbors. We seem to have taken our neighbors for granted without knowing that their support and goodwill is of outmost importance for Nagas to move from the present into the future. It’s never too late and there is no reason why Naga civil society should not make the effort to start a people-to-people contact in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The Naga Hoho in consultation with the mothers (NMA), students (NSF) and church (NBCC) can come up with a team headed by someone like Niketu Iralu who can then be entrusted to undertake this track-2 diplomacy with our neighbors. A people-to-people contact can do what governments or peace processes cannot do i.e. to help bridge the trust deficit at the grassroots and thereby create an enabling environment for dialogue to take place. It is becoming increasingly clear that the political dialogue between the Government of India and the Nagas, in order to succeed must also win the hearts and minds of our neighbors across the border. And that is why we need to advocate peace and friendship across the present bitter divide.
It seems to be that those who are always trying to find fault with the Indo-Naga issue tend to go overboard most times. Their reactionary mindset does not even give any room for constructive ideas or creative solution to come out of the peace process. This is very unfortunate and it will only lead to more heartache for people of the north east region. At a time when as good neighbors we need to support each other in resolving old problems with new ideas and to move ahead with the times, we are making ourselves disable through our short-sightedness and misplaced fear of each other. Then off course we should be very watchful of powerful vested interests who will want the status-quo to continue. We need to realize that it is only through reason and understanding that we can resolve our differences and forge ahead as good neighbors. For far too long we have allowed our emotion to dictate our action. Our neighbors especially those who are apprehensive about a political settlement involving the Government of India with the Nagas should not have any misapprehension about their own future. Nagas have no right to take from others what does not belong to them. We must respect other people’s rights and honor them. Similarly Nagas want an honourable solution based on their own rights and history, which should also not be denied or taken away from them.
Nagas must advocate peace with our neighbors
In our recent editorial on this subject of Supra State Body, we had made a mention about having some kind of strategy in place. We need to put our heads together and come up with some initiative. All these years since the ceasefire and peace talks began, the thinking was centered on finding a political solution and reconciliation of the warring armed Naga groups. It is becoming obvious that we need another dimension to be infused into the Naga peace process and that is to start the process of reaching out to our immediate neighbors. We seem to have taken our neighbors for granted without knowing that their support and goodwill is of outmost importance for Nagas to move from the present into the future. It’s never too late and there is no reason why Naga civil society should not make the effort to start a people-to-people contact in Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The Naga Hoho in consultation with the mothers (NMA), students (NSF) and church (NBCC) can come up with a team headed by someone like Niketu Iralu who can then be entrusted to undertake this track-2 diplomacy with our neighbors. A people-to-people contact can do what governments or peace processes cannot do i.e. to help bridge the trust deficit at the grassroots and thereby create an enabling environment for dialogue to take place. It is becoming increasingly clear that the political dialogue between the Government of India and the Nagas, in order to succeed must also win the hearts and minds of our neighbors across the border. And that is why we need to advocate peace and friendship across the present bitter divide.
