Moa (A social deviant), Dimapur
Some crisis brings me to an awareness that what we are doing with our times and what we feel deeply important do not match. We are faced with desperate times and these demands desperate measures. Social relationships always involve both attitudes and the interests to which they are related. Our social reality includes the material and immaterial. The intolerance and prejudice that mark so many men’s relationships with one another are traceable to the same process of socialization that produces their opposites – tolerance and understanding.
We understand that the present represents the residue of our past. By this same knowledge we know that our today presents the very platform on which our future will be built. Destiny is a matter of choice we make and not a matter of chance we take. History is our greatest lesson that offers human experiences. And if there is one thing men learn from history it is that men never learn from history. History is a graveyard of kingdoms and civilizations and we shall do well if we do not blame gods and weather for our misfortunes. To know the direction our society is headed one particular story comes to my mind. Once a weary traveller met an old sage on the way on asked where he could find the path which would lead to the top of the mountain, his ultimate destination. The wise old man thought for a moment and then replied, “Simply make certain that every single step is in the direction of the mountain top and you will get there”.
The shared inspirations and visions for our peace and economic prosperity demand a positive work culture and ethics. All the talks for a congenial and conducive atmosphere for economic development become empty and meaningless without appropriate actions to bring order in our society. Each individual has a role. Here some rational explanations are provided.
a. Freedom cannot be identified with liberation from all restraints. Freedom has social bonds. The individual submits to society this submission is the condition of his liberation. There is a rule of law – an accepted mode of conduct.
b. A society in which each individual solely pursues his own interest would disintegrate within a short space of time. There in nothing constant than interest. Today it unites me to you; tomorrow it makes me your enemy.
c. Social conflict, man against man, group against group reveal itself where there society. Naga society is tribal in substance so any potential conflict will be tribal in character. Each social transition from one to another social offers the alternative of readjustments or maladjustments. Unless co-operation and empathy penetrate deeper than conflict and interest, society could not endure.
d. Our value consensus provides the foundation for co-operation since common values produce common goals. A certain degree of order and stability are essential for the survival of social systems, and value consensus integrates the various parts of society. We know that the most stable forms of social relationships are those in which the subjective attitudes of the participating individuals are directed towards the belief on a legitimate order. The state is the guarantor and guardian of the public order.
e. In modern society the political system is concerned with improving the living standards and raising productivity. Politics is a process of competition and bargaining, and government is a process of mediation and compromise. The state is also involved in economic life and the administration of justice and in education and in the organization of art, science and culture. The religion affects the moral aspects of the society. Religion is the individual quest for the ultimate meaning.
Having discussed these roles we remember the immense sacrifices paid for the freedom that we have now. But, we have a jig-saw puzzle. Issues like attempted murder, the killings, robberies, kidnappings, smugglings, gun culture, graft and corruptions, intimidations, encroachments of private and public properties, intertribal rivalries, arrangement and sharing of power etc. do not add up to the peace and freedom we suppose we have. To unlearn this social conditioning device we must reflect into our past. A summary of our state history becomes relevant in this context, till present times, not necessarily in chronological order is presented.
1. Naga Hills was formerly a political sub-division of an undivided Assam. In the colonial era she came into contact with Christianity. Education and ideas of liberalism enlightened a few educated Nagas to the concept of sovereignty. The First World War affected the formation of the Naga Club, to address the future course of action. The Second World War directly affected the land and its people. The British ended their rule and formally handed the powers to and independent in the August of 1947. A day before that the NNC declared their independence. It was assumed that the British would protect the interest and inspiration of the Nagas from the bigger political entity.
2. India refused to recognize independence and military operations followed. Plebiscite was held and the absolute majority pressing for self rule. Long protracted conflict and suffering of the people necessitate the formation of the state in the winter of 1963. The union was not a happy one as the desired goal was for a free independent nation. Initially the concept of Indian election was boycotted. And originally the state composed of 16 state recognized tribes.
3. Born out of this political wedlock she missed the first and the second semester of the central five year plans where investments on infrastructure and on heavy Industries were fully emphasized. The restive political climate and the insurgency stunt her economic progress. The generous central financial assistance sustained the rural based economy and this rural agricultural economy nourished the resistance movement.
4. The role of the church cannot be measured. They remain the catalyst for change. The theme for the state “Nagaland for Christ” was adopted. They act as the directives and moral guidelines for society to hold on. Ground work for peace and ceasefire and healings within the torn society resulted because of their initiatives.
5. Relatively new elements represented by socialist principles cropped up in the resistance movement. Different concept of functioning, issue of sovereignty and on the issue of peace accord - the betrayal; split the parent body. The N.S.C.N usurped the political crusade of NNC. The movement with a renewed spirit continued is protracted conflict on the Indo-naga political issue. Seeds of discord led to suspicions of betrayal that resulted into blood shed and butchery. The resulting two powerful faction organized on seedy tribal lines continues their fight for supremacy. Each accusing the other for being a traitor to the original cause. Sovereignty. But again credit to them, for internationalizing the Naga cause.
6. The concluding ceasefire arrangement with the centre has produced a political deadlock. And peace remains elusive. The centre is adamant on the sovereignty question. A demand of the rebel is for a united single political unit of the naga inhabited areas in the northeast. The neighboring states are apposed to this. This is the riddle. On the other side the rival faction is opposed to this stepped down. They claimed to fight for total sovereignty. And between this hammer and the anvil lies the public.
Please note that the above generalization does not prove anything nor does it represent the complete or true picture of the genesis of our social reality. Fact is there are inherent contradictions within the system. Having said that man cannot have two sets of conscience our society presents unique situations and trends and there are questions.
a. Religion and socialism do not match. Marx wrote that religion is the opiate for society. Our leaders have Maoist leanings. One principal Canon, “Power flows through the barrel of the Gun” amplifies violent struggle to attain goals; Power. Some leaders profess the wisdom of Christian principles based on the power of love and brotherhood of mankind. Socialism is based on power struggles. Christian values and principles are invoked to forgive and forget the scars of the numerous incidents of violent struggles in our national movement. This is not going to end. Two antitheses do not form a thesis. This ideological experiment will continue to bring despair. The joke is to enjoy our God given freedom let us all armed ourselves with guns like our particular pastor at Wungram colony who had then already decided to put more faith in grenades then faith in his fellow Christian neighbors. Let us embrace the Maxim “power flows from the barrel of the gun” and arm ourselves to the teeth so we may fear no one, not even God!!!
b. Our contemporary freedom movement has become a graveyard of our own. Reconciliation between the factions remains a puzzle. The society becomes parasitic when it kills its own to achieve social goals and to score political points. Assassinations or attempted assassinations of our intellectuals and political leaders thereby creating necessary vacuum and stress in the power structure depriving the wisdom and experiences of its leadership to be filled in by the unsavory elements. The present Gun culture is the new phenomenon threatening our very existence.
c. Again the people have internalized a queer brand of sovereignty. They claimed to reject the Indian constitution or anything Indian yet they participate willingly in the Indian elections. The state government, the electorate system, administrative institutions, population census etc.., is a proof of this. Most importantly the central and the state government is the single biggest provider of employment for goods and services. Is it possible that we are using the system to fight the system that sustains us? May be not.
d. But parallel type of government exists. Each entity has their judicial system administrative organs, army, and budget system, delegation of power and taxation policy. Behind this the public have to pay their maintenance. What about our supposed emancipation from the Indian yoke? Why so many yokes? Our movement for peace and freedom seems to have sting in the tail.
e. The education system is based on the concept of meritocracy, yet mediocrity is encouraged in the employment sector. The students are the future of our society their rights need to be protected. What do you have in a society where the futures of our students are thrown into the quagmire of never ending Indo Naga politics? Why rob the future of our state. What is the basis of NBSE Sponsored exams will speed up the unification process? Is there any legitimacy in hosting an abnormal event in an abnormal situation to jeopardize the careers of some thousand state schooled students for political ends? Are they pawns in a larger political game? Fear is this will be the catalyst for major social dysfunctions and the time is very near.
To be continued in the next issue...
f. One fundamental print in our social psyche is the easily identified episode of the ethnic conflict. The often term Naga-Kuki produced immense social scars and shame as it openly brought the worst inhuman intolerance. As principled freedom loving Christians this was in itself contradictory. Naturally some questions can be asked. Do all the family of Nagas capable to inflict such pain and misery?
g. The sorry episode of quit notices to a minority group resurfaces time and again when the need of the hour is supposed to be unity.
h. The generous central financial assistance meant for development of the state is siphoned off by the politicians and their cronies. What little is left is mismanaged by an inefficient administration. The sporadic economic development, sick government enterprises, incomplete projects, abnormal budget deficits, increasing cost of living relative to the National index are proofs for corruptions and the apathy of the government to work for the welfare of the people. The “Lalbhati wallah syndrome” has taken the mindset of every wannabe politician. Here in Nagaland to every great fortune there is a crime.
i. Again there are many instances of attempted killings and murders. Abductions tortures and killings among our national workers. Recent murder of one at Alichen Mkg, abduction and murder of two small innocent school boys between Manipur and Nagaland, murder of one at Razhape Dmp. Untold human suffering due to factional clashes at Phek, Zunheboto, and Medziphema etc. deserves some consideration of attention from NPMHR. They maim and they kill and you watch and bite your finger nails.
j. Taking all the social ills and tensions in our present day and keeping in tract of the political directions we are headed, there are some unpleasant questions. In a capsule. Are we force feeding a self created monster. Or is it an irony that in our blind quest for freedom a veiled ideology has stole into the movement to extort the wealth and peace of the land with a token of false promises that real good happiness and personal freedom is just a matter of time? Are the present disordered conditions necessary for the incoming peace?
A common problem to all perspectives on the nature and distribution of power in society involves the measurement of power. Power is an aspect of social relationships. Politics occurs when there are differentials in power. To have a better grasps of the socio political trends here is a survey of the possible models in our context.
a. Socialism: - The aim of socialism is the regulation and control of production in the interest of all members of society. The state basic task is the management or administration of the economy. The citizens enjoy the benefits of an egalitarian society. but the realization of a socialist society by revolutionary means involves the use of force to secure the desired social changes. The application of force must necessarily involve political repression after the revolution, which will negate some of the freedoms which are embodied in the very ideal of socialism itself. Secondly the construction of a socialist economy, particularly in a world where other countries remain capitalist, is likely to entail a range of economic difficulties which are neither planned nor desired by socialist. Thirdly, whatever the means whereby a socialist society comes into being the result will always certainly contravene the objective which brought it into being, by creating a bureaucratic state.
b. Power elites: - This argues that all societies are divided into main groups, a ruling minority and the ruled. This situation is inevitable. Should the revolution occur, it will merely result in the replacement of one ruling elite by another. The power elites are groups which has come to power with the support or acquiescence of particular sections or tribes in the population, maintain itself in power chiefly by virtue of being an organized minority confronting the unorganized majority. The ruling minority in socialist society employs power primarily for self enrichment rather than for the benefit of the society as a whole. The mass of the population is largely controlled and manipulated by the elite, passively accepting the propaganda which justifies elite rule. Even in democracies major decisions usually reflect the concerns of the elite rather than wishes of the people.
c. Cult of the personality: - Charismatic authority rejects the past, and is in this specifically revolutionary. The sole basis of its authority is the recognition of the authenticity of the claims of the leader. The legitimacy is founded upon the belief of both leader and follower in the authenticity of the leaders’ mission. The charismatic leader has an indeterminate number of intimates who share in his charisma or who possess charisma of their own. The movement has no systematically organized means of economic support; its income is either received from donations of some kind or another, or is acquired by plunder.
d. Interest groups: - Unlike political parties these group do not aim to take power in the sense of forming a government. Rather they seek to influence political parties and the various department o the state. This transmission belt operates for the most part outside the political system. These can group can be classified in terms of their aims as either protective or promotional groups. However in practice there is no clear cut distinction since defense of an interest also involves its promotion. No government could begin to operate without the assistance of interest groups.
Sometimes it takes a pliable and a flexible government to which withstand the flow of times. They can be influenced and directed according to the prevailing situations. This is true in our case. Credit must be given where it is due, in success or in failures. The ruling state Govt. has done real good work in the fields of sports, Art and Culture, bamboo industry, empowering women and for providing new scopes and developmental schemes for the youth, entrepreneurs and farmers. However desired results are to be seen. Again the policy of the government is made known by its official slogan “peace for development and development for peace” with this in mind cultural events, seminars were initiated to promote Nagaland as a peaceful state friendly for investments in tourism sector and other infrastructural industrial join ventures. There are promises. But investment is found to be wanting and this is not surprising if we consider one single factor. Order.
The baloney that social disturbances and disharmony affected by the internal conflict between different factions do not come under the ambit of law in order administration of the state government must go. This policy and reasoning of an elected Govt. is based on the principle of self preservation. The argument is pure fiction. This implies that the government is weak and unreliable. The state primary function is to maintain peace and regulate public order. Lawlessness and crimes are acts which contravenes collectively held beliefs and sentiments. If transgressions were not punished, the strength of sentiments to social unity would not be preserved. But even within the order of the state where Govt. is corrupt or ineffective, lawless organization emerges and unless the system is guaranteed under the civil code, the business of the community would be utterly disrupted. Order is the first requirement of a diverse, specialized, interdependent activity of modern man of our evolving naga society. Social tensions are only aggravated because of the government inability to act.
Development as we understand cannot be had without energy. Resources like power are indispensable for economic production. Our productive life becomes paralyzed without electricity. The consumption of power is the index of economic productivity of a region. So the 12 to 16 hrs of power deprivation in state of Nagaland is but a sick joke given the ambition and slogan of the ruling Govt. “Peace for development and development for peace.” The wasteful mentality of the government and it lethargic response to rectify the power crises during this long duration of two months speaks a thousand megawatts about the apathy and the ineffective machinery.
Today the old attitude has failed to respond to our emerging needs. The consequence is lack of national unity and cohesion, developing inter-group tensions and an un-estimated amount of frustrations, embitterment, and psychopathological disorganization. In short, we live in a multi group society but our attitudes, as members of groups, are attuned neither to its condition nor to its needs. The point is that our attitudes, our ideas, our mores must change with changing needs and changing conditions if we are to satisfy these needs ant meet these conditions. The transition from old to the new attitudes has its own perils, for when men give up the absolute assurance of all certitudes they may never attain the relative assurance of new quests, but a constant readiness to make readjustments to new situations is now required.
Today, Nagaland is the land of Canaan; of milk and honey. Others see this as the Promised Land. Look around and note the presence of migrants doing brisk business in your neighborhood. On any honey pot you find the aliens. Ants and the flies. If you ask any beggar around the Dmr. Railway station about the status of begging in Nagaland he think you be mad. Strange people make hay while we linger. By nature we are simple people or rather lazy. Once we make these things right other good times will come by its own. We have immense resources and capabilities. And that because you just learn it, does not mean it is new. Other people already knew it. Columbus is a good example for this. The ‘Look East’ policy of the central government has opened vistas for tremendous changes in the North East. We have an opportunity and a duty to perform. The investors will look into the general conditions relatively more conducive for competition and maximum economic returns. This needs peace. We have our own issues and our response to these challenges will create the condition towards our shared goals. Every one of us has a role and social responsibilities. Let us see positives in our misfortunes and take corrective measures. Let us not blame others for our shortsightedness or to gods or the weather. Let us see reason that we are not law unto ourselves and the more we begin to value principles and people, the greater will our Peace. And do remember, in times of distress, the story of the weary traveller and his mountains.
f. One fundamental print in our social psyche is the easily identified episode of the ethnic conflict. The often term Naga-Kuki produced immense social scars and shame as it openly brought the worst inhuman intolerance. As principled freedom loving Christians this was in itself contradictory. Naturally some questions can be asked. Do all the family of Nagas capable to inflict such pain and misery?
g. The sorry episode of quit notices to a minority group resurfaces time and again when the need of the hour is supposed to be unity.
h. The generous central financial assistance meant for development of the state is siphoned off by the politicians and their cronies. What little is left is mismanaged by an inefficient administration. The sporadic economic development, sick government enterprises, incomplete projects, abnormal budget deficits, increasing cost of living relative to the National index are proofs for corruptions and the apathy of the government to work for the welfare of the people. The “Lalbhati wallah syndrome” has taken the mindset of every wannabe politician. Here in Nagaland to every great fortune there is a crime.
i. Again there are many instances of attempted killings and murders. Abductions tortures and killings among our national workers. Recent murder of one at Alichen Mkg, abduction and murder of two small innocent school boys between Manipur and Nagaland, murder of one at Razhape Dmp. Untold human suffering due to factional clashes at Phek, Zunheboto, and Medziphema etc. deserves some consideration of attention from NPMHR. They maim and they kill and you watch and bite your finger nails.
j. Taking all the social ills and tensions in our present day and keeping in tract of the political directions we are headed, there are some unpleasant questions. In a capsule. Are we force feeding a self created monster. Or is it an irony that in our blind quest for freedom a veiled ideology has stole into the movement to extort the wealth and peace of the land with a token of false promises that real good happiness and personal freedom is just a matter of time? Are the present disordered conditions necessary for the incoming peace?
A common problem to all perspectives on the nature and distribution of power in society involves the measurement of power. Power is an aspect of social relationships. Politics occurs when there are differentials in power. To have a better grasps of the socio political trends here is a survey of the possible models in our context.
a. Socialism: - The aim of socialism is the regulation and control of production in the interest of all members of society. The state basic task is the management or administration of the economy. The citizens enjoy the benefits of an egalitarian society. but the realization of a socialist society by revolutionary means involves the use of force to secure the desired social changes. The application of force must necessarily involve political repression after the revolution, which will negate some of the freedoms which are embodied in the very ideal of socialism itself. Secondly the construction of a socialist economy, particularly in a world where other countries remain capitalist, is likely to entail a range of economic difficulties which are neither planned nor desired by socialist. Thirdly, whatever the means whereby a socialist society comes into being the result will always certainly contravene the objective which brought it into being, by creating a bureaucratic state.
b. Power elites: - This argues that all societies are divided into main groups, a ruling minority and the ruled. This situation is inevitable. Should the revolution occur, it will merely result in the replacement of one ruling elite by another. The power elites are groups which has come to power with the support or acquiescence of particular sections or tribes in the population, maintain itself in power chiefly by virtue of being an organized minority confronting the unorganized majority. The ruling minority in socialist society employs power primarily for self enrichment rather than for the benefit of the society as a whole. The mass of the population is largely controlled and manipulated by the elite, passively accepting the propaganda which justifies elite rule. Even in democracies major decisions usually reflect the concerns of the elite rather than wishes of the people.
c. Cult of the personality: - Charismatic authority rejects the past, and is in this specifically revolutionary. The sole basis of its authority is the recognition of the authenticity of the claims of the leader. The legitimacy is founded upon the belief of both leader and follower in the authenticity of the leaders’ mission. The charismatic leader has an indeterminate number of intimates who share in his charisma or who possess charisma of their own. The movement has no systematically organized means of economic support; its income is either received from donations of some kind or another, or is acquired by plunder.
d. Interest groups: - Unlike political parties these group do not aim to take power in the sense of forming a government. Rather they seek to influence political parties and the various department o the state. This transmission belt operates for the most part outside the political system. These can group can be classified in terms of their aims as either protective or promotional groups. However in practice there is no clear cut distinction since defense of an interest also involves its promotion. No government could begin to operate without the assistance of interest groups.
Sometimes it takes a pliable and a flexible government to which withstand the flow of times. They can be influenced and directed according to the prevailing situations. This is true in our case. Credit must be given where it is due, in success or in failures. The ruling state Govt. has done real good work in the fields of sports, Art and Culture, bamboo industry, empowering women and for providing new scopes and developmental schemes for the youth, entrepreneurs and farmers. However desired results are to be seen. Again the policy of the government is made known by its official slogan “peace for development and development for peace” with this in mind cultural events, seminars were initiated to promote Nagaland as a peaceful state friendly for investments in tourism sector and other infrastructural industrial join ventures. There are promises. But investment is found to be wanting and this is not surprising if we consider one single factor. Order.
The baloney that social disturbances and disharmony affected by the internal conflict between different factions do not come under the ambit of law in order administration of the state government must go. This policy and reasoning of an elected Govt. is based on the principle of self preservation. The argument is pure fiction. This implies that the government is weak and unreliable. The state primary function is to maintain peace and regulate public order. Lawlessness and crimes are acts which contravenes collectively held beliefs and sentiments. If transgressions were not punished, the strength of sentiments to social unity would not be preserved. But even within the order of the state where Govt. is corrupt or ineffective, lawless organization emerges and unless the system is guaranteed under the civil code, the business of the community would be utterly disrupted. Order is the first requirement of a diverse, specialized, interdependent activity of modern man of our evolving naga society. Social tensions are only aggravated because of the government inability to act.
Development as we understand cannot be had without energy. Resources like power are indispensable for economic production. Our productive life becomes paralyzed without electricity. The consumption of power is the index of economic productivity of a region. So the 12 to 16 hrs of power deprivation in state of Nagaland is but a sick joke given the ambition and slogan of the ruling Govt. “Peace for development and development for peace.” The wasteful mentality of the government and it lethargic response to rectify the power crises during this long duration of two months speaks a thousand megawatts about the apathy and the ineffective machinery.
Today the old attitude has failed to respond to our emerging needs. The consequence is lack of national unity and cohesion, developing inter-group tensions and an un-estimated amount of frustrations, embitterment, and psychopathological disorganization. In short, we live in a multi group society but our attitudes, as members of groups, are attuned neither to its condition nor to its needs. The point is that our attitudes, our ideas, our mores must change with changing needs and changing conditions if we are to satisfy these needs ant meet these conditions. The transition from old to the new attitudes has its own perils, for when men give up the absolute assurance of all certitudes they may never attain the relative assurance of new quests, but a constant readiness to make readjustments to new situations is now required.
Today, Nagaland is the land of Canaan; of milk and honey. Others see this as the Promised Land. Look around and note the presence of migrants doing brisk business in your neighborhood. On any honey pot you find the aliens. Ants and the flies. If you ask any beggar around the Dmr. Railway station about the status of begging in Nagaland he think you be mad. Strange people make hay while we linger. By nature we are simple people or rather lazy. Once we make these things right other good times will come by its own. We have immense resources and capabilities. And that because you just learn it, does not mean it is new. Other people already knew it. Columbus is a good example for this. The ‘Look East’ policy of the central government has opened vistas for tremendous changes in the North East. We have an opportunity and a duty to perform. The investors will look into the general conditions relatively more conducive for competition and maximum economic returns. This needs peace. We have our own issues and our response to these challenges will create the condition towards our shared goals. Every one of us has a role and social responsibilities. Let us see positives in our misfortunes and take corrective measures. Let us not blame others for our shortsightedness or to gods or the weather. Let us see reason that we are not law unto ourselves and the more we begin to value principles and people, the greater will our Peace. And do remember, in times of distress, the story of the weary traveller and his mountains.
(References on Karl Marx, Mosca, Weber and from the works of A. Giddens)
Moa (A social deviant)
Dimapur
