The recent spate of factional violence and killings reported from Zunheboto, Kohima and Dimapur is a sad reminder of the tragic extent to which money and muscle power among Nagas has come to symbolize its freedom struggle. That factional politics is rampant amongst those who took up arms for a common political struggle and the fact that we the Nagas are drowning ourselves in this pool of our own greed and power questions the very aim of the struggle itself. While no doubt some semblance of peace and understanding has taken place in the last few months since the Forum for Naga reconciliation took initiative to reconcile the different warring groups, yet the sudden breakup among former comrades of one of the NSCN group has led to a new found bitterness. And instead of healing and reconciliation we are, by our violent action, opening fresh wounds that could have been well avoided. The leaders of the two concern groups should restrain their armed cadres and whatever differences there is can be brought to the dialogue table so that through reason, any differences can be ironed out without having to resort to arms. Only by cessation of all hostilities, including paper war, normalcy can be restored so that a favorable climate is created for dialogue to resume.
It is also a suggestion that Track-2 diplomacy on a priority basis can begin like the one initiated by the Konyak Union and Sumi Hoho under the Joint Tribes Tribunal some few years back. The two Hohos along with the FNR are in the best position to start a mechanism for dialogue between the two warring NSCNs. They should tell both the NSCN factions to take unilateral steps to ease the tense situation. On their part, the Naga national groups must realize that those who are opposed to the Naga peace process would prefer the status quo and will want Nagas to fight against each other through their divisive policy. The most sensible thing for the warring groups is the cessation of hostilities as the first step to begin other peace building options. Our armed groups must realize that the real opportunity for the Naga nation lies in reconciling our differences and to unite our efforts towards peaceful resolution—both within and without i.e. with Delhi.
A Russian general who served in Afghanistan during the Soviet occupation once made the suggestion that the United States needed to start talking to the Taliban if it was going to succeed in the conflict there and cautioned that Washington will not succeed by military might alone. For many of us who have seen conflicts including in the Naga context both within and without, this is indeed true and should be taken seriously by the different national groups. Many a times, we fail to learn lessons from past experience/s. According to the learned Russian General, one can make a political mistake and that can lead to military mistakes. As history has witnessed the human consequences can be devastating. Then there is the other thing about people trying to take the moral high ground. No one can claim to be wholly in the right. While we all condemn violence and terror activities committed by others with whatever rationale they may give, yet by perpetuating the same violence or force, we are not doing any good to the lives of the majority of innocent people who suffer the most in any conflict. A new thinking is required one that able to empathize with others. And there is much expectation that those who lead their people will bring the much needed healing to the wounds created by misunderstanding and wrongful action which may have hurt others. Might and the use of force is never the answer as it creates more problems. Our warring armed groups must learn this lesson quickly.
