RS Jassal
Apropos to T.Shishak’s ‘Confession’ published in various dailies in Nagaland on 24th July and Press Communiqué by Collective Leadership (CL) dated 8th Aug both of 2007, to start with I am aware of my position to comment but with experience of 40 years in the rolling ins & outs of the fluid situation of Naga issue, created by some with different intent diverted by some to other contents and mostly dictated by changing times and circumstances , I do not wish to carry the weight of truth buried in my third chamber forever hence it needs releasing. Since personalities involved in issue are of much higher importance. I attempt my comments in all humility with respect to both sides. If contents of both the communiqués are taken in their true spirit, these may act as basis for reconciliation of Nagas to Nagas keeping the nomenclatures of tribes a bit aside, and provided extra ink used in both is also shed.
The author is associated with Naga affairs since 1967. I have met Rev. Shishak only once i.e., in his office chamber at Patkai college and my age, service rank was too small to interact with him, since he being of a tall stature and me just a beginner in my career as a Captain. So he won’t be remembering me even that I had met him. I was accompanying some of my friend who was of Tangkhul origin. Shishak was away to her parents state i.e., the STATES. Two signatories from CL , I have never met other than Raising seen in playful mood with a pistol in his hand in a video cassette recovered from Yangkhullen GHQ camp by troops 3AR ex Maram on 22nd Aug 1989. With this backdrop please read on…. Rev. Shishak may be right in venting his concern, conveying anger and going emotional since he & his family connections with Americans had labeled them with numerous charges of abetting the FGN/NNC to fan the secessionist move, hobnobbing with Rev. Michael Scot of Peace Mission & I am told at times SF’s even searched his college premises for nabbing some UGs based on intelligence reports. He has seen the difficult days, tumultuous periods faced by Nagas of Naga Hills (till creation of Nagaland) the pangs of painful memories contained in his letter are carried forward into present day intolerable which he attributes to the current leadership. With passage of a decade of peace talk, reconciliation efforts non- productive and immediate happenings following creation of Nagaland, killings aggravated, bullets flew directionless in the NH’s with Naga luminaries/ champions of people’s cause like Dr. Imkongliba Ao, T. Sakhrie, and Chikhino Angami eliminated are some of the sad memories which can dampen anyone’s spirit appears to have found expression in his statement.
Two personalities like Dr. Longri Ao of Churches who was banned by DC Jorhat to enter his village Changki area for 15 years (till India attained independence) because of his links with MK Gandhi and noted Assamese singer Bhupen Hazarika brought peace to burning Nagaland whereas JayPrakash Narayan left peace mission out of disgust and anger & Rev Michael Scot was deported. Perhaps recollection of these conditions and no reduction in suffering by the UG/general public have left permanent imprint on his mind which also find reference to current situation. Rest use of words to express, feeling / anguish have perhaps gone too strong to taste bitter to Collective Leadership. But the touching concern for Nagas perhaps ruled his mind. Now I turn to Press Communiqué of collective leadership. They feel they have been charged as ‘terrorists’, their sacrifices to reach to this stage commencing from Grand coup of Khaplang are negated and Shishak perhaps has acted as RAW’S stooge and his letter written under influence of Khaplang or some other vested party. Well, let this not be contested as language used by CL is slightly spurious and leads one to feel written in vengeance to put Shishak in the withdrawn state of mind, and they have also overstretched the contents & intents of his letter. After all what could be his aim. Quite obvious, to suggest urgency of reconciliation. Reconciliation with whom when offended /wronged and offender all feel it their right to do so without prepared to attend to logic. It is also a fact if reconciliation initiative which is started by IM fails to strike accord no other faction or any egoist can achieve. BUT for this IM has to act with restraint & invite open criticism from others too. The question arises how to reach at a solution; when all the three have shared history of killing. I will attempt in the end how, but before that I will give some important events for both sides as a dispassionate critic.
Four Point & Nine Point Proposals: Contents of Four Points are known to everybody only names, their qualifications and tribes of signatories (18 of them) need to be recalled. It will clarify some academic doubts since repeatedly it is being taken as the start point. It shows at that time there was a situation of NO CONFLICTS politically.
Sixteen Point Agreement: 13th Point in it has become a point of discord. GOI feels benevolent and gracious to convert Naga Hills into Nagaland by bringing Naga areas from NEFA adding Dimapur (of Kachari- Dimasa erstwhile Kingdom) and jungles along Assam- Nagaland border into its folds. Areas from Manipur were beyond PM power due to Merger Act 1949 signed with then Govt. of Manipur in which one clause clearly says “It will be duty of GOI to protect the territories and interests of Princely State of Manipur”. At that time there was no conflict in Manipur. This point still acts as deterrent and continue to influence finality at the Center. So to continue the conflict this 13th point remains in a lever role. NDA Govt have tried to sort it out but not possible and UPA Govt. is now facing it today. Even if any leader from CL is appointed as PM, he will also find himself in similar predicaments. Some historical database: 1st Dec 1963 i.e., inaugurations of Nagaland with full fledged Assembly of 60 members in one go as Sixteenth State of Indian Union is considered as golden day. But sadly dual path to further the cause in name of Sovereignty during undivided /leadership FGN/NNC was adopted by one group to go to East Pakistan for procurement of arms/ammo and training under Thungti Chang’s command and the other group under SS Gen Mowu Angami to go to Yunnan through Khaplang’s territories (Heimi Areas) . This later group was obvious to come under influence of communist ideology of Chinese origin while the previous one under influence of ISI of Pakistan. This imbalanced the FGN think tank. And no student of Naga insurgency has touched this point so far. Silver line however appeared that the progressive thinkers in the UG’s, circulated open letters through all the means and resources and after protracted discussions decided to have no trucks with Chinese ideology since Nagas were or going to be a Christian State. These years of academic struggle disappointed those who were in London & America so Prof Copland Plan which had somewhat hope of revival got scuttled forever. At the same time this also deepened differences among Naga intellectuals and other activists so new organization under name RGN came up after arrest of Gen. Mowu Angami though short lived & came to end with shooting down of its leader i.e., Kaito Sema. Thereafter 1975 Accord welcomed by many though but completely discarded by present IM/ K (then part of NSCN combined leadership). This again saw many killings. But one aspect emerged boldly i.e., control of armed groups and major policy decisions fell to Tangkhul leadership and unfortunately during that period of transition & immediately after split of NSCN, maximum killings of civilians & UG to UG after 1975 Accord occurred which gradually gave negative publicity to Tangkhul leadership hence still meeting opposition from many Naga tribes. At this juncture and with this back ground, if ‘confession’ of rev. Shishak is read, his expression need be valued. Collective leadership or separate entities- NONE is clean of killing. Keeping acts of SF’s out, Naga to Naga casualties may be higher. And to dismal these are adding up day by day. At times K faction blames SF’s siding with IM and the IM vice versa. These will lead them nowhere who are in search of peace.
Events Worth Recalling: Naga (UG’s) sincerity for Indian Govt. in 1962 (China Border Skirmishes) 1965 (a war of fortnight with Pakistan) and 1971 (liberation struggle of Mukti Bahini Bangladesh) in which 8 Mtn Div from Zakhama had to move to Indo Bangla borders to manage the influx of Bangladeshi into Assam/Tripura, Naga UG’s did show solidarity with GOI. Indians will always honour it.
How to achieve Reconciliation
Difficult to dictate. But some suggestion as follows needs consideration:
(a) Collective leadership must value Shishak’s letter changing heading from Confession to suggestion and invite more & more from other well wishers if anybody wishes to participate.
(b) For one year observe functions of 14 Aug, 22 Mar and 6 Sept together from a common platform.
(c) Draw comprehensive lists of victims who lost their near & dear ones in connection with the Naga struggle from day one. Approach Nagaland Govt. irrespective of Party affiliation for a suitable compensation and rehabilitation
(d) Conscientious admittance to completely ban Killings
(e) Th.Muviah to thank Khaplang to save his life during coup in which 108 Tangkhuls were killed in (ghallookara) chase to kill And Khaplang to confess wrong done and announce reconciliation of that dark event. Here you need services of some dedicated facilitator.
(f) Withdraw slogan Nagaland for Christ and rename suitably if necessary. Lord Christ’s grace for entire universe cannot be limited to small area. As Holy Spirits transcend borders and their GRACE becomes benevolent to the world like Ram, Rahim Nanak & so many others Imagine! Mir Jumla’s army of 90,000 foot soldiers, 10,000 horses 30, cannons march started in boats from Dhubri through Brahmaputra and either side of its banks devastating plundering the kingdom of Agnigarh, Tezpur Chutia Cachars Sibsagar, right up to Tinsukia & then how he met with end Malaria and dysentery finished him & his entire army. Where man, thinks his armed prowess can subdue the weak, GOD, intervenes .Let this not happen to us. We must seek his blessings. Enough is enough.
