The story behind our endless struggle and suffering cannot be separated from the Naga national movement. The root cause of our suffering lies in the united Nagas movement for self determination.
Way back in 1950, Naga national movement under the banner of undivided NNC/FGN also known as Hongkin government to the locals entered in to the country part of Nagaland. There were neither Burmese nor Indian that dominates Naga territory which popularly known as “free Naga” The area as such is a safe heaven for the national workers and the people extended their all out support to the cause. There was no road, telecommunication, schools, healthcare centre etc.
However, since the arbitrary division of the then two Prime ministers U Nuh and Nehru, things have been changed little; the location being fall under Burmese administration the government extended some infrastructure development to the Naga areas (Eastern Nagaland). But what history depicts is that all such development was destroyed by Naga national workers. Doctors, nurses and teachers were killed. Schools, dispensaries were burn down and all road and bridge connectivity were destroyed and disconnected.
Such mission does not end here but continuous to capture chariots (horses) that are use by Burmese army to carry ration and lots and slaughter them for their food. Burmese government also setup village guard in some boarder villages and armed them for self defenses. But all arms and ammunition were also seized from innocent Naga villagers by the national workers. Since then, the eastern Naga populace were continue to live in the condition of Stone Age like, depending on available resources within the land.
Our Naga leaders of those days taught us the doctrine that we must not accept any grant, funds, development from any one or we must not cow down to any occupational forces since Nagas are free people and fighting for independent homeland.
But now what the irony of Nagas freedom movement and its activities is that, destruction policies in the east and construction in the west. What about the Indian Rupees, peace package, grant and funds from India? What about the setting up of village guard and boarder area of Nagaland and fighting for Indian development in Nagaland?
For some few years back, whenever we approach to the government of Burma for any basic development and to cease all forms of hostilities toward Naga like, force labor without any cost, human right violation, porter etc, they simply reply “It is Nagas who destroyed all our effort for development and slaughtered all our chariots. Therefore, Nagas must work in place and get help from your own Naga underground”. Life in Eastern Nagaland is nothing but a horse-back and price less toil.
Since there is not school and educational institution, Eastern Naga children have to wait till ten years of age and above when he/she can walk on own foot on four to five days to reach nearest town where schools are available. The question here is do we deserve such negligent after we serve the movement for many decade?
The fruit of 9 points agreement and 16 points agreement between the GoI and Naga underground and state hood in 1963, Nagas must not forget because directly or indirectly this are some of the outcomes in Nagaland today. Naga national leaders are also sincerely reminded that there are wounded and grieved souls around your mansion. In fact, no Naga leaders deserve such comfort unless they fulfill the promise of Naga freedom to Naga people.
Today we feel some winds of change in Burmese dominated Naga homeland as the government system is under change and also Naga national workers are working hard for ceasefire with Burma. That how many Naga people support and extend their love and concern toward betrayed Naga brothers in Burma?
Since from the fruitless ceasefire with India in 1964 till 1997 and 2001, Eastern Nagaland was haven for Naga national worker but now it is forgotten haven.
Last but not a least, we are what today is because of the Naga national cross, the cross of suffering, pain and betrayal. Despite our backwardness, we will take the same stand for the cause till we get back what is ours.
Mr Mankhat Konyak
Vice President
Eastern Naga Students' Association
