Given the existing conditions and present state of affairs in Nagaland, one questions whether the Nagaland State government is listening to people’s voices, is attentive to their problems and genuinely understands the magnitude of the crisis it is faced with. The present Nagaland State government that prides itself in being “opposition-less” seems to be virtually non-existent when it comes to the art of governance. This has raised doubt on its ability to provide good governance and more precisely on whether it has the public trust and political will to meet the aspirations and will of the people.
From issues of basic infrastructural needs such as roads, electricity, water, quality health care, sanitation and effective drainage systems to critical policy issues such as climate change, environment, increasing unemployment, a failing education system that is seeing an alarming rise of drop-outs, to rampant illegal coal mining and dealing with a system that has become inherently corrupt, the Nagaland State government does not quite seem to be sure on how to address it, and even less clear on a pathway forward. This irony is not lost. An “opposition-less” government should be in a better position to tackle such critical issues of governance and provide decisive leadership. However, this government’s lack of a planned response raises questions of credibility and ability.
In recent times the agitations regarding unpaid salaries, scholarship issues, questions surrounding the freedom of the press in Nagaland, the murder of a prominent businesswoman and more recently of a young businessman, the alleged rape of a minor by a policeman, a man found suspended by the neck from the goalposts in a school in Jalukie, community conflicts and the prevailing violence and tension in Tuensang and Kiphire districts are some incidents which have further put to test the ability of the Nagaland State government to reflectively and decisively respond with wisdom and prudence.
Unfortunately, the knee-jerk reactions and flip-flopping approach has not helped in building public confidence. Furthermore, the eerie silence and the side-stepping stance of the Nagaland State government on many of these crises have only created the image of a weak and uncaring government. For instance, its primary response to a number of issues seems to focus around setting up ‘Committees’ to inquire and recommend measures, thus freeing itself of any political burden and responsibility. Behaving almost like a Naga civil society organization, it has confined its role to issuing public condemnations in the media. Without any concrete remedial measures that are demanded of a responsible government, the relevance of its approach needs to be questioned.
A government - any government - worth its name must be able to protect its citizens and uphold their rights with confidence, with responsibility and with certainty. The Naga people are in need of a dynamic, confident, responsive and people centered government. How long will it take for the Nagaland State government to wake up, listen to the people, seize the crisis as an opportunity to change and bring change, to act with responsibility, to provide value based leadership and facilitate a vision that enables the people to progress and develop with dignity?
This must begin with the Nagaland State government mustering the political will to humble itself and listen to the people!
