B. Thohii
For us Nagas in our impassioned concern in our (Naga) political problem we tend to over-concern with the blow hot and cold policies of our adversary, but we infrequently bring to the picture our own internal problem, that which itself is a real and serious problem blocking our aspiration, which needs timely resolution by ourselves without outside intervention. Let alone bringing to right platform for serious open discussion for logical conclusion. Denial of this truth or failure to take cognizance of the problem, or deliberately wrapping it under the carpet is a self-deception and living in a fool’s paradise. The need for redirection towards this realization and acknowledging the truth is the call of the hour.
Apart from the burdens of history yoked upon us (Nagas) by the British policy and its legacy carried on by the GOI, we (Nagas) ourselves too have added more burdens of history by our arrogance, we Nagas are known for. What is wanting today among the Nagas is a genuine acceptance of truth for real peacemaking. This is an issue we all talk about too much but done too little with sincerity to realize it. The problem lies here.
At this time an article has generated fierce debate in the media. The article this time is “A Confession” by Dr. Tuisem Shishak in the local dailies. The plucky article of the whistle-blower itself, the gruff and even brutal manner of the critics’ reaction to the writer, and thereafter write-up in addition and responses and opinions on the article has only confirmed that the Nagas are faced with real internal problem which need timely resolution. Here is a national catharsis going on now, one hopes a better from here on.
Dr. Tuisem Shishak went out of his way to say loudly and clearly what many a Naga leader preferred to mutter only under his breath: that he hides not of his identity and his community, and that he acknowledged and sought forgiveness on behalf of his community for what may have been committed by the members of his community through what he termed as “arrogance”. If we read between the lines there may be some toxic lines that may not go down well with many. However, it is also wrong to read between the lines and construct libelous criticism against the writer in out of proportion not taking it in its subtext as a whole.
Diminutive to his experiences and erudition, I, as a young man, don’t question his intention, but for one thing I agreed with him is for his conviction on the issue that is serious within Naga society and the risk he took to blow it, that it should rouse Naga’s think-tank and intellectuals for deeper examination of the problem within us. If he intents, as leveled against him by his critics, to misinform about Naga issue, let him alone own his responsibility. But to his critics it is very unfortunate to give shade of personalizing the write-up and resorting to catharsis of cheap argument.
Now moving away from the contentious thesis and anti-thesis on “a confession” by Dr. Tuisem, let us turn to the general approach of how in real world the psychological approach of “confession” or “story-telling”, a ritual form of testimony, has proved to have real and amazing healing process towards peacemaking and reconciliation in the deeply wounded societies in conflict zones around the world. Experts through their experiences in dealing with the wounded peoples have shown how “healing process” has an amazing effect on the victims traumatized with losses. One best instance of how “confession” has help in healing the wounded people towards peacemaking and reconciliation is in South Africa. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), despite it obvious imperfection, has made a major contribution to South Africa’s transition to majority rule.
Reconciliation is a psychological aspect. It needs healing process. The traumatic loss that lives in the memory of the wounded people or the ball of anger carried inside is release when the perpetrators make a confession. True forgiveness is granted only when perpetrators make a sincere confession, repentance, and restitution.
This healing process may yet to be fully integrated into formal peacemaking; the critical importance of actual healing for peacemaking may not yet have gone down well with the diplomats and political negotiators. But the struggle to raise public consciousness of this relentless reality in political relationship is continuing because of its amazing effect it has on the wounded people.
Attempts to integrate healing processes into formal peacemaking have been seen from the important gestures of British Prime Minister Tony Blair towards the Irish. Yasser Arafat’s willingness to visit Holocaust Museum in Washington DC in 1998, arranged by diplomats Dennis Ross and Aaron Miller, but which was unfortunately blocked at the last moment by an official of the Holocaust Museum, unmoved by the gesture towards healing. Egypt President Anwar Sadat, a political psychologist, in his stunning visit to Jerusalem told the Israeli Knesset in 1977, that 70% of the problem between Israel and Arabs was psychological, and he tossed several bouquets to his eventual Israeli partners in peacemaking. This led Menachem Begin to say, “I have read his writings and concluded that he is a man with whom understanding can be reached”.
Nagas are in cry for peace and reconciliation among factional groups and among tribes distance by waning of tribal comity caused by suspicions and arrogance. But the search for peacemaking is so elusive. There must be something gravely wrong in our attitude and idiosyncrasies. In our present situation where we seem to be in a blind alley in search for true peacemaking and reconciliation it would be important for us to take inference from the global perspective in conflict resolution and draw our own approach to suit our local situation.
In this line it is worth to mention the attempt made by a Naga team of NPMHR, NSF, and NMA of its visit to Bougainville to study its peacemaking process and draw a comparative logical approach to apply in our own situation. Despite its limitation to effect on our problem, such attempts cannot be written off. We cannot shut door to the reality of healing process because our problem is largely psychological and we need to accept the reality. We need an approach of problem-resolving workshops to understand each other better.
The controversy this time, more acrimonious and impassioned than any in recent time, is precisely whether Dr.Tuisem’s grouses with (Nagas) ourselves are merely hot air or whether they are expressions of farsightedness, and even prescience, which we Nagas will come to acknowledge sooner or later.
