Sebastian Zumvu
The shooting of Xavier Rutsa, senior correspondent of Nagaland Post is an act which has thoroughly exposed the mindlessness of the anti-social elements in the State. It is very unfortunate that the entire Naga society is held to ransom by a microscopic few who wields the gun and doesn’t give a hoot for the people or the society.
As one who has worked with Xavier from the very beginning when he entered into the field of journalism half a decade back, I have come to respect and like him in as much as his dedication to the profession, his knowledge about the State, national and international current events. An unassuming person that he is, Xavier packs a lot of knowledge behind his simple demeanor. As a matter of fact, as a political commentator on Naga political issues, I have regularly sought the help of this young friend for facts, figures and data. What impresses me most about Xavier is his knowledge about political events in the State since Statehood and also the current affairs of the nation. If one were to ask him who contested in which constituency with which political party ticket in which year, he would come up with the names of all the candidates and the number of votes each secured in that particular election! He would also be generous enough to mention which political leader was or is from which village and how crucial the village, clan or khel of the leader is! He would also go on to tell you who held which portfolio in whose ministry in the State for how many months or years! The last time we met when I was in Nagaland last month, he started to ask me the performance of certain ministers here in Goa and went on to tell me the colourful history of certain politicians in Goa! I was amazed, to say the least, that someone in Kohima would be so well-informed about politics in a State located in the extreme west of the country. I learned a lot from him about the Telengana issue too, for good measure!
Now, the reason why I mention these few things about Xavier is that I want to let those assailants who shot at him know what kind of an asset Xavier is to the Naga people, not necessarily to the press fraternity alone. Should we snuff out the lives of such people just like that? How long will it take for us to appreciate the inherent virtues and capabilities, talents and gifts that God Almighty has bestowed on each and every one of us? When will we realize that each and every one of us has a divinely charted role to play on this earthly stage that we call Naga society? Are we so bereft of emotions that we shoot at just about anybody on the streets? And are we to continue condoning such demented actions of gun toting elements in the society? I say, enough is enough!
It is time that we the people of Nagaland open our eyes to the activities of these social misfits and resolve we have had enough of their gun-toting days. We have to segregate those who want to live in the society and those who want to live in a senseless, violent society a la the wild west of yore where might was right, where justice was delivered through the barrel of the gun. When the world is moving ahead at a furious pace towards progress and development, we are still in a primal society where we haven’t learned to live with each other; where we kill each other for no reason at all; where we live in fear afraid to speak out our minds; where we bolt the doors of our homes by sun down and answer the door with trepidation; where we look at our neighbours with suspicion. The irony is that we do all things unchristian in the name of Christ! We do not worship God, but we do evil; we use the name of God in vain as in our declaration “Nagaland for Christ” when we kill and hate each other; we do not respect our parents, elders or peers; we murder with impunity; we do not hesitate to steal or extort; we accuse just about any one and dispense our own versions of justice; we envy other’s property… Christians, indeed!
I am nauseated by the demented action of those who shot at my young friend Xavier Rutsa and I humbly call upon all right thinking Nagas to condemn this vile act. At the same time, I also call upon all like minded people to come forward to ensure that such violent and senseless activities cease forthwith in the Naga society.
I pray to God Almighty for speedy recovery of my friend.
God Bless.
The writer is the OSD to Governor of Goa
