The cry for peace by the Naga is probably heard by one and all excepting few deaf ears who had made their entry into Nagaland’s seat of power by their stand on Reconciliation between various faction and at present seem to be intentionally pl6Jgging their ears with the vested advices from a particular faction or group. If one recollects, the DAN govt after taking over the reins of Nagaland had formed the Consultative Committee for Peace in 2003 and had many meetings held by the sub committee to bring about peace through reconciliation between the various insurgent factions whose wars seem to intensify day by day. Due to the increase in abductions, extortions, issuing of ILPs, factional killings and forced recruitment; there has been a lot of resentment by the public. To cite a few examples, the NBCC on 15 Dec 05 stated that its position ‘”all along has been to bring all the different national Workers/factions together to evolve a common understanding and acceptance of the terms to be negotiated with India for settlement so that the settlement will be honorable, acceptable and workable and that the NBCC was of the view that in our present condition of deep mistrust and ill will, to campaign for solution by going over or ignoring other rival factions complicates Naga crisis all the more.
The NBCC also stated that the dignity and honour of all factions should be equally respected as that is the wisest way to secure the support of all tribes for a satisfactory settlement. The Zeliang Baudi (N) appealed to all factions on 14 Jan 06 and also the public to refrain from all kinds of violence. The Sumi Hoho, during their 26th Gen Session (Zunheboto) on 19 Jan said Nagas have fallen cheap victims to divisive forces, leading to tribalism, factionalism and factional killings, and urged all the so called national workers to stop such activities, including derogatory statements/media war and pave the way for a congenial atmosphere. During the second Executive Meeting at Dimapur on 19 Jan, the NMA urged all Nagas to march forward with one voice, as people can’t afford to derail the given opportunity by leveling allegations against one another, shun violence and work cohesively. These are the few faces of resentment and initiative expressed by various strata of our society and there are hordes of other cases which can be blurted.
Though the erstwhile CCP still supposed to be relevant and not been disbanded under which the JLCP will function. But no one seems to be happy with the arrangement although it is most vital for Nagas at this point that true unity and reconciliation see the light of day. Why have we come to such a state? Is it because the State Govts policy on Equi-closeness has been subverted by a particular faction?
We Nagas now feel that the govt is not trying to maintain its relations with the various factions and NGOs in a justified manner thereby resulting in various social evils taking place in our state or is the side kick faction of the State Govt. so much politicized that it is trying to run a parallely along with the state govt. and actually controlling the reins, and letting only those things happen which suit it rather than taking a holistic view in the greater interest of the Nagas as a whole?
The public remains helpless as ever. Is this due to the loosing faith or confidence on the State Govt machinery for it’s under current bias towards a particular group? It is high time the State Govt stops putting the ball in the Centers court and wait like a beggar with a begging bowl for any decision from the top. It definitely shows an escapist attitude of the State Govt. We Nagas just hope that, the newly formed JLCP steers the forum for an eternal solution. The State Govt should now realise that it should now participate in the peace process as an effective participator rather than being a mere facilitator, as it has started becoming a victim of negative fall outs and thus badly affect peace and unity in our land. One actually wonders, are we Nagas being governed by ‘Politicised Insurgents or Subverted Politicians’?
Dr. Roley Angami
Kohima
