Killing among brothers, extortion and threat within the Naga family has become the order of the day: Factional killings among the Naga National workers has exceeded beyond the wildest dream of the enemy. It is high time Naga leaders, both over ground and under ground to realize that the Naga National cause can never be promoted by killing our own people. This was precisely the reason why A.P.O. in 1992 passed a resolution demanding the National workers/ faction to unit first before seeking for support.
In the backdrop of the above, yearning and yelling for peace is heard from every nook and corner of Nagaland. Hope is reunite when we see various Unions, Churches, Association including Hohos declaring commitment to work for peace. However, the attempts of various civil societies do not seen to go beyond appeal to shun violence and requesting the warring faction to avoid civil population, etc. This does not have any effects on the warring faction as more killings and extortions, violence and threats continue unabated. Clearly there is need to do than just calling for peace.
We yearn for peace, we talk for peace, we called for peace and even pray for peace. But peace we did not get, may be because we are seeking peace in the wrong places and for the wrong reason. Peace cannot be bought by money, it cnnt be found in the jungle,Peace cannot be achieved through the barrel of guns. The Naga national objective of sovereignty and freedom will not come by removing one another. Being a chiristian state, we must understand that peace will come only from above. To him we must look and to Him we must pray that His will be done and not ours.
Recently a well- meaning Naga leaders have state factional killings among the national workers is due to “anger” raising above boiling point and went on to suggest that if we can dissolve anger, there will be peace. The wisdom is clearly discernible. The problem, therefore, remain I n how to dissolve this “anger”. Perhaps it will, shed more light to the problem if the root cause of “anger”, is clearly understood. We know that anger is caused by losing one’s position, power, standing, prestige, etc. all of which have to do with pride from our thoughts. Here the clarion call of God is say/ speaking to His people- “IF my people who are calling by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land”. This healing is clearly what we need today. In this context, seeking forgiveness and surrendering of pride is conditional to healing for peace. Therefore, the call is for all leaders and servant of both National and State, men and women to humble themselves before God and seek for the healing of our land. In humility there is no loss of prestige. In humility, there is no ground of argument, not to speak of brothers killing brother. In humility there is complete peace and freedom.
In view of the above, all the Naga leaders must obey God’s instruction and surrender to His will in humility.
T.L. Angami, Founder and Advisor,GB,
Village Chief Federation of Nagaland,
Camp- Industrial Village Razhüphe, Dimapur
