Rev L Suohie Mhasi
In the 50s during the Naga struggle for sovereignty we Nagas found ourselves being not true to ourselves. The cry for sovereignty has become more a slogan than a real aspiration.
It is a matter of fact that the movement for sovereignty is no longer a people’s movement but the general public is being dragged apart by the different factions. The State General Election is a real people’s movement. The Naga populace are fully occupied with the affairs of day to day life under the function of the State Government and are not concerned about whether sovereignty or no sovereignty. Rather the people are tired of hearing about sovereignty because in the name of sovereignty they are under constant threat and uncertainty of life.
The Government of India is being blamed for their divide and rule policy. But I admire the superiority of the leaders of the Government of India because they are so clever that they know how to create division causing the people to keep on fighting against one another. We are ourselves to be blamed for our shallowness and ambitiousness. How many political parties exist in India the Nagas are going to grapple all of the existing parties in India. Unemployment problem will compel even half of our youths to join para-military forces of the government of India.
The Nagas who are still on the role of the National workers are fighting amongst themselves which is a self-defeat or suicidal. Unity and solidarity of the people is the only force to attain the aspired destiny. Having divisions and fighting among the divisions is a harbinger of eventual failure of the movement. In the context of the Nagas, if unity is impossible, sovereignty is impossible. If different political organizations are not determined for unity, they are not for sovereignty, is an empty slogan if unity is not sought.
Now peace and unity are possible because the NSCN (I-M), which is a party to the current talks with the Government of India, have already declared peace and reconciliation and have appointed a committee on it. Had it been reciprocated by the other groups, especially the NSCN (K), the goods can be delivered. But the NSCN (K) are expressing their grievances in their delay in responding to the call of the NSCN (I-M) for their past offer of cease-fire being turned down.
Whether sovereignty or not, a solution has to be made and a lasting solution is possible only through unity of the Nagas. Unless the people think realisticically, we are only confusing and deceiving ourselves.
