Niketu Iralu
I read Tuisem’s “A Confession” article on the run, so to speak, as since receiving it I have been traveling.
Tuisem quoted from “An Appeal” published last February in Nagaland dailies. The appeal was to save innocent lives and promote dialogue after NSCN (K) had issued their QUIT NOTICE to Tangkhuls residing in Nagaland State and killings had started followed by threats to repeat them. As one of those who signed the Appeal it is in order for me to respond to what Tuisem, a cherished and respected friend of many years has said with such conviction.
Put together after agonizing over it for days, as he indicated at the beginning, the article is a much needed contribution of great value for our society’s growth. The discussion it should kick-start should get all Nagas who care involved in unpacking and unraveling the multiple complications of our crisis which all tribes together have produced – the “advanced” tribes contributing the major share. It shows how each one of us can first acknowledge where we and our tribe have been wrong, thus inspiring others to do likewise. Can we deny that our loudness about the wrongs and mistakes of others and our silence about or denial of where we are wrong or failed which has hurt others has created vengeful hatred and finally resulted in “Nagas (being) at war with Nagas”? The answer lies in those who are concerned coming out with what we truly feel and learning to listen to God and one another with respect, tolerance and even appreciation so that the truth or what is best may win. An awkward and unpopular line to take, it may often be, but there is no other way for God to help us.
Tuisem has certainly risked being wrong, misunderstood, misinterpreted and vilified because, not only he does not want his silence to be misunderstood, but he also passionately wants our multi-tribe society to communicate truthfully and develop caring for one another. This is my reading of his intention and I do salute him and express my humble solidarity with him.
His strict impartiality is clear. And making no reckless or motivated generalizations Tuisem has exercised his right and moral duty to say what he has been seeing and wrestling with. His challenge to the “other underground factions, and other Naga tribes” is direct and justified. He asks, “Are they not also participants in today’s Naga mess?”, and asks, “I am not the one to answer these questions. All I know is that somewhere we have to stop blaming each other, and start confessing our sins to each other if we ever hope to see peace in our land”.
We must correctly evaluate and appreciate Tuisem’s all-out sharing of his concerns and beliefs as a Tangkhul and as a Naga at this critical juncture when we are torn between the forward pulls of the vision of peoplehood and nationhood, and the counter-pulls of the deep mental reflexes and attitudes of the past that have produced vigorous tribes down the centuries. Costly, ceaseless struggles to survive have naturally deepened our defensive fears and made us distrustful, cautious and fiercely combative. Yet, though coming as we do from such a background a compelling desire to become a people and a nation has taken hold of our imagination for which so many have suffered and died. However, not surprisingly, walking together is proving to be such a strange, difficult exercise and we are tempted to give up the attempt and just “enjoy life” trying to ignore questions that refuse to go away.
By speaking up frankly Tuisem has brought right into the middle of our crisis the refreshing simplicity of what is right and wrong, straight and corrupt, what is Christian and what is not, and what is wise and what is dangerous shortsightedness, and therefore will not work. If we do not provide our society with such a foundation on which to reason and search together how can we create a safe future for the coming generations?
On September 28, 2006, in Dimapur, NBCC called for the beginning of a process of “Honest Conversations” among the Naga people for the healing of our relationships. The “Confession” has given a powerful impetus to this fledgling conversation.
Honest Conversation is an idea whose time has come. President Clinton launched it in his second term to get the American people to address the inter-racial, cultural difficulties in their society at a deeper level. The experiment has proved its worth and Hillary has pledged she will continue it should she become the next President. International diplomacy has started to give serious attention to the potential of this untravelled road for finding sustainable solutions to conflicts. His Holiness the Dalai Lama spoke for this emerging thinking when, welcoming the 21st century and the new millennium, he proposed, “The 20th century was known for terrible conflicts and destruction. Let us make sure the 21st century will be known for dialogue, mutual respect and just progress for all mankind”.
What we Nagas are also trying to do now is in keeping with this dialogue alternative having been hurt so badly already by the ways that have not worked. Let us inspire one another to do that which is right and needed. We will be surprised by the result if we want nothing for ourselves.
