Khekiye K. Sema IAS (Rtd)
Forest Colony, Kohima
There can be no time more crucial than the present time for the Nagas of Nagaland (NoN) to exercise their God given wisdom to think honestly, clearheadedly and with courage. This is a time which calls for all hands on deck, abandoning our petty tribalism, clanism, blind loyalties and self-seeking priorities in order to protect our common frontier. This is the time to give our ancestral sense of HONOUR a rightful pride of place in our decision making. Fellow Nagas, we are standing at an uncertain crossroad with the final chapter of our history about to be written under a highly controversial circumstance without the stakeholders being given a fair involvement opportunity in the scripting of it. This is a momentous time for all NoN to forthrightly recognise the unscrupulous, unacceptable stage being set to decide our destiny and the destiny of our children. The most pathetically frustrating part in it all is that the NoN have no recognizable forum of our own to voice our concerns.
Yes, it has generally been made clear to the NSCN (IM) that the NoN are not against the "Framework Agreement". However, the right thinking people amongst the NoN have also made it amply clear that expecting us to blindly endorse this non-transparent agreement without knowing its contents, is an unethical proposition and an unacceptable option. NoN must first know what is in store for us before we put our left thumb impression on that framework paper. Period! But is NSCN (IM) listening?
The so-called 'endorsement' irresponsibly made by self-preserving 60 elected political representatives to our Legislative Assembly along with the equally irresponsible Apex Naga Ho Ho at Niathu Resort is being touted before the GoI by NSCN (IM) as an expressed will of the people in their support. Without pre-consultation with their respective constituent stakeholders such a blind endorsement can neither truly be defined nor accepted as the will of the majority. The GoI and Mr. Interlocutor ought to have perceived and understood this by now...but have they? The vain effort of Mr. Ravi, Interlocutor, carrying out side-show consultation /negotiation with the other Factions is a meaningless non-starter exercise as long as they (other Factions) are not formally and officially given a legitimate seat at the negotiating table. This is the factual scenario thus far which imperatively needs to be corrected through a loud unambiguous common voice from Nagaland.
In a pressurised time such as this the Nagas of Nagaland have lost a credible Apex body to voice our own exclusive political opinions and priorities. The ultimate burden of misreading the volatile political balance by those in authority will only boomerang on us, the helpless masses, in the end. The present nomenclature... "Naga Ho Ho"... is a misleading misnomer representing all other brother Tribes from beyond our borders. It should have been christened as "Pan-Naga Ho Ho" instead, without defiling the original status of Naga Ho Ho which once exclusively belonged to the NoN. With ENPO formally withdrawing its affiliation from it, the remaining Naga Ho Hos of Nagaland have been reduced to a minority within this forum. The 'puppet' President from Nagaland spearheading this forum is but a window dressing reduced to acting as a toothless stooge carrying out decisions directly influenced by NSCN (IM). The blind, senseless 'Ozukum' endorsement given to the 'framework comedy' is a visible testament of Naga Ho Ho acting on its master's voice. One fails to understand the utter lack of self respect amongst the NoN so easily being manipulated by extraneous elements. On the one hand NSCN (IM) has deviously achieved a masterstroke by supporting the practical transformation of the Naga Ho Ho to that of a pan-Naga status thereby effectively erasing the people's forum within Nagaland and also managing to silence the original voice of the NoN as a minority within this new forum while on the other hand perpetuate UNC in the South to aggressively address all their Southern Naga political problems and exert uncomfortable pressure on the GoI and Government of Manipur to suit their purpose. The double standards thus being adopted by NSCN (IM) is ominously clear and yet we the NoN are unable to comprehend the consequences of it all. What is wrong with us? Losing our rightful voice in a democratic world of majority is a fatal deficiency that can undermine our very existence. Can the Nagas reset the hands of the clock to where it should be so as to empower ourselves to at least express our independent views without external interference or influence?
It is tremendously encouraging to see the stand of APO that [quote]: "all NPGs should be at the negotiating table, united on one side and then decide the fate of the Naga people". [Unquote] - (Nagaland Post 23-02-2016). Earlier the Sumi Ho Ho also made a formal declaration that blind endorsement to the framework agreement will not be given. The sentiments expressed both by APO and Sumi Ho Ho is relevant, but not significant enough without a consolidated participation of all the rest of our other Tribal Ho Hos of Nagaland. The moot point therefore is: Can the likeminded Tribal Ho Hos take the initiative and convene an "all Tribal Ho Hos of Nagaland" for a brainstorming session to take their status overview. They can then initiate a move to have the present Naga Ho Ho renamed as "Pan-Naga Ho Ho"... which is also a required relevant organisation to address issues such as 'Naga integration'... and reclaim Naga Ho Ho for the NoN.
The voiceless vacuum from within Nagaland was the sole compelling reason which prompted the formation of NTC. Unfortunately even this forum suffers from critical membership affiliation flaw that has weakened its existence and effectiveness. If our own home grown Naga Ho Ho is revived, one reasonably believes that NTC would be prepared to step aside in support. At this juncture Nagas of Nagaland desperately need a strong vibrant voice of an apex forum to commandeer our fragile political circumstance... just like UNC, South of the border, is being able to do. Can our Tribal Ho Hos of Nagaland carefully and sensitively take stock of this proposition? Nagas need an Apex body to send a clear signal to the to the Prime Minister of India that Nagas of Nagaland will not give blind endorsement to the framework agreement and also insist that all NPGs must be officially taken on board the negotiation table to ensure lasting solution. The consequences of our inaction will be fatal. Nagas need to reclaim what's ours, register our legitimate voice and prove our worth to the world before it is too late! Khekiye K. Sema IAS (Rtd) Forest Colony, Kohima
