Western Sumi Hoho’s effort for unification is right step for Nagas future
N.K. Swu
A lot of critical comments, expression of different thinking and views, some outright rejection of the unity efforts initiated by Western Sumi Hoho recently in Niuland has been read in the daily news media. Many have failed to address the key issue of vexed Indo-Naga issue resolution but to all out assault for killing the still born baby, that is unification of Naga warring factions of National workers. While it is a fact that every one has a right to express his/her own perspective views and ideas, some critical comments and outright rejection of unification move seems too harsh loaded with baseless fantasies and tribalism of highest degree which requires clarification whatever available facts and evidence so that the matter is understood in right perspective and placed on record for the cause of Nagas brighter future.
Hence, in response to these critical comments and rejection of unity move spearheaded by Western Sumi Hoho, the following views and counterview has been put forward for the Naga people to ponder seriously.
1. Nagas have been fighting for free nation since 1947 till 1980. However since 1980, after NSCN split into two factions, Nagas has been wagging war against Nagas. Killing and bloodshed between factions has been daily affair since 1988 till 2007. But war between factions of Naga National Workers and killing non-stop between factions has been for the cause of integration of Nagas of Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Burma. Countless round of talks with Govt. of India at Prime Minister level around the world and many Naga peace and reconciliation conclave has been held in Bangkok, New Delhi and Hebron(Nagaland) since 1997 for only integration of Naga people living in Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Burma. Fratricidal killing is non-stop, killing of innocent people on suspicion , killing in the heart of town and villages where innocent youths and minor children are killed in the frenzy of factional cross fire. Even on most joyous and sacred Christmas Day, they glee fully killed our innocent, unsuspecting mothers and minor children by triggering bomb blast. These happened in the land of Nagaland for Christ for the integration of Nagas of 5(five) different places. Should not Nagas unite and stop this bloody integration war through unification?
2. The fear and suspicion of some tribe and the memories of Revolutionary Government of Nagaland in 1968 raised by Mr. Abraham Lotha in his “Consensus still alludes road to unification” must not be left out without clarification with facts and evidences. Nagas were under the siege of Indian Military onslaught which necessitated negotiation with Govt. of India. India saw that only negotiations with Naga Nationalist Underground leaders could bring an end to genocide like civilian Nagas causalities in the hands of army. Hence, PM level talks between PM Indira Gandhi emissary and Lt. Kughato Sukhai Ato Kilonser of Revolutionary Government of Nagaland took to 6th round and was ready to be signed an accord for giving Nagas self rule outside Indian Constitution except defence and currency with India. But a certain tribe who vehemently opposed Sumi Leadership and refused to endorse the settlement and thus killed the accord, leading to mass surrender as well as arrest of many nationalist who refused to surrender and these were jailed in Nowgaon jail for more than 5(five) years.
This narrow, selfish nationalist in the name of tribalism and hatred of Sumi leadership was the main reason of disastrous collapse of negotiation which latter culminated to underground representative signing the shillong accord 1975. Our only one House where we all live is burning and all are raising voices to stop it, then, who spark the fire to burn our house? Yes, Naga history is alive, and fresh in the mind of people.
This time also because of unity effort by Western Sumi Hoho, there is a ramblings of ism raising its head, but whatever comes in this land of Nagaland for Christ, we Sumi’s will stand for unity of Nagas of all shades and unification of Naga national groups for achieving a single goal spearheaded since 1929. For us Sumi’s from 1st World War in France in 1917-18 to Naga Club 1920 to Simon Commission 1929 to Naga delegate meeting with Mahatma Gandhi in Delhi June 1947 to plebiscite 1951 to giving safe hiding and sojourn of our undisputed departed leader A.Z. Phizo (1956-58) at Pughoboto and funding of A.Z. Phizo’s escape to London by contributing Rs. 35,000/- and bore the causality of heaviest Military brutality such as killing, torture, starvation death, raping of our beloved mothers and sisters by the Indian Army among Naga tribes. However, we believe that only God whom we worship and fear alone is the author of our nation in making. We commit our faith in Jesus Christ alone to him we submit and bow and for his kingdom and glory alone. We are not the master of any tribe. No tribe is superior to other or inferior than other among Nagas. There is no specified unit of measuring scale and consensus scale for national cause in making unity and peace. If one love truly his land, his people, his younger generation, then that is the beginning to give up, ism, hatred, greed, self pride, selfishness to give way for deeper reasoning, longing for reconciliation, need for unity, and finally unification for common goal.
3. Once again, Naga Hoho, as it use to, turned out to be the road block backed by Tangkhuls for unity move by Sumi community. I will therefore appeal to Sumi Hoho to cut off all relationship with Naga Hoho like ENPO. Naga Hoho scheme of plan is throw out TMPO and take South Nagalim (Manipur). The fact is ENPO is Naga Hohos creation. Will Nagas in Arunachal Pradesh and Burma join Nagalim minus ENPO? Where are you Naga Hoho? When factional gun battle was raging Zunheboto town for months killing innocent people and children? When factional gun fire was burning and killing in the heart of Chakhesang villages?
Where are you when factional gun battle were reverberating and killing in the heart of Kohima town? Where were the Naga Hoho hiding when a fatwa against Alemtemshi Jamir IAS Officer of Nagaland Govt. was declared and issued by Manipur Nagas, what crime Alemtemshi Jamir has committed in Nagaland? Where were the Naga Hoho hiding when Dr. Rev. Shishek was thrown out of Tangkhul community for apologizing for mistake committed? What do you mean by unification taking place under Sumi community (a single) is objectionable? What moral right do Naga Hoho has to suppress the cry for peace by Sumi’s?
4. We Nagas have refused to join Indian union in (1929 & 1947) and for this we have paid heavy price. The blood spilling started in 1950 and after is till non-stop flowing. This we did by our forefathers and past leaders who had sacrificed their lives because of the truth. The truth is Nagas have not been subjugated at any point of time by any neighbour or distant nation either by conquest or by consent. After more than 50 years of blood shed, thanks to sensible and intelligentsia people of India that Govt. of India has come forward and admitted that Nagas issue is unique one and Nagas has right to live as separate equal entity. This is our point and cherished goal, but do we have right to split the union of sovereign India which is lawfully constituted by agreement and consent under the UN charter of sovereign nation? It is absolutely true that Nagas in Manipur are Nagas and will continue to be so, but the truth is they are a part of Indian union by consent and agreement during the declaration of Indian Independence in 1947 by refusing to join Naga movement for sovereignty during 1929-1958. We should claim whatever that is bound by law but should not claim that can not be uphold by rule of law. Even in 1964-66 talk by Lt. Kughato Sukhai with PM Emissary, there was no talk of Indian constitution. Why Nagas should now insist for revised edition of Indian constitution? India a sovereign nation will not be in a position of obligation to re-edit its constitution frame by law of sovereign nation. Isak and Muivah should give up this or otherwise give way for other leadership for which if it is to be believed, there is a talks that Isak will be replaced by either Q. Tuccu or Qhevihe Chishi and for which both of them are very busy and happy to shuttle between unification camp and Hebron with powerful backing of Manipur Nagas and some T.C.U. Member in NSCN(IM).
Hence, settlement of Indo-Naga issue is supreme goal of Nagas and integration issue comes later for settlement in its own time and the last but no least is whichever states/country he/she may be Naga National Workers should be treated with equal due honour and respect without discrimination in free Nagaland after the final settlement with Govt. of India.
Pughoboto Town
