Eno LBP Duomai
Viola Colony, Dimapur
The Naga movement for self-determination, whether the method adopted is brutal or friendly, open or subversive, armed or civil, individual or collective, inside or outside Nagalim, the objective still remains the same, i.e., sovereignty. Even after two decades of Indo-Naga political negotiations, the government of India has not shown any sincerity to resolve the protracted imbroglio. Perhaps, India has not learned anything from their freedom struggle history.
Lately, the Indian interlocutor-cum-governor is desperately twisting the narration according to his convenience. No matter how hard he or anyone tries, Nagas will not accept for something which they are not. The illusive peace talk and foul play of Indian agencies has made the younger nationalist restless and frustrated, thereby considering arms as the only means to ‘liberation’ from the yoke of colonial imperialism.
The Nagas will not repeat the same mistake committed by Indians against fellow Indians, even if Indian colonial government uses British tactics. The Jalian Wala Bagh massacre, executions of revolutionary leaders like Mangal Pandey, Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, Rajguru, Ram Prasad Bismil et al. were all carried out by Indians. Lala Lajpat Rai died due to serious injuries inflicted by fellow Indians. Indians committed untold criminal activities against their own Indian National Army who were fighting for Free India. And the list goes on. All these might have been avoided if the British government were wise enough like the present Indian government in conducting survey to expose who is who in the British India administration.
Almost every Naga; young, old, rich and poor, carries the torch of the movement. May it be a centre or state government employee, activist, businessman, housewife, farmer, any Naga individual is a member of the movement. Naga National Council conducted a plebiscite on 16th May, 1951 where 99.9% of the Nagas wanted independence from India. If RN Ravi and his machineries are going to categorise who is underground and who is not by means of projecting Naga freedom fighters as underground, then the answer is loud and clear. YES, all Nagas are underground.
Many Naga nationalist working under India are surreptitiously appreciating the proxy move of Mr. RN Ravi in profiling the government employees. Many are ready to give full co-operation as this would uncover true colour before the world that Naga national movement is very dear to all. Almost all of the Nagas serving in the India’s central or state government have immediate or close relatives in the movement. Most of them are keeping silent for the sake of their square meals. However, this survey would expose their true selves. Acting and hiding their loyalty would not be a necessary game thereon. Hence, the mutiny and the civil disobedience will be much easier for the Nagas, if need be.
Indian ridiculing and undermining Naga armed movement is an indication of ignorance of their history. Chandra Shekar Azad, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru, Sukhdev Thapar, Subhas Chandra Bose, Mohan Singh, Rash Behari Bose, Jaganath Rao Bhonsle, Ram Prasad Bismil, Aurobindo Ghose, Udham Singh et al. were the few notable examples among the thousands who took up arms against the British Empire. If Indians considers them as their national Heroes then the Naga freedom fighter are nothing lesser for the Nagas. Any individual or government trying to nullify the Nagas armed struggle as ‘armed gangs’ or ‘law and order issue’ or ‘extortionist’ is as good as mocking India’s freedom fighters.
Millions of Indians; labourers, merchants, royals, etc., contributed immensely towards Azad Hind Fauj and other political and revolutionary parties so that they may sustain economically. Material resources were donated in plenty and millions of cash poured into coffers of the political revolutionary parties. The individual contributions of Hajee Osman Sait, Memon Abdul Habeeb Yusuf Marfani, K.M. Ameer Hamza, Mother Beevimma et al., to name a few, were enormous. Almost all the thinking Indian of the time have voluntarily placed their body, mind and wealth at the altar of freedom. There is no difference for the Nagas as well. Naga movement has sustained thus far with free-will donation and certain taxation levied from Naga public and well wishers.
Today, India talks about the evil of the British empire. Tomorrow, it will be Nagas talking about India’s treacherous deeds. Sensible and responsible Indian intellectuals are expected to respect the sentiments and the aspirations of the Nagas. While dealing with the issue, one has to be very clear that Naga political movement do not start with arms. It was a political movement and it is still very much political. The arms in the hands of the Naga warriors are not to kill but to defend from the reign of terror unleashed in the hills and valleys of Nagalim by India and Burma.
It is an unmistakable fact that Nagas are not Indians. Nagalim may be a small nation before the mighty India and Myanmar. But that will not be a hindrance too big for the Nagas from achieving their desired goal. Nagalim anticipate India to retrospect and logically deal with the issue before it gets irrevocable from both side. Any sort of betrayal by government of India without learning from the history of her freedom struggle could be a catastrophe for the present and future.
