“Imagine there’s no heaven, It’s easy if you try.
No hell below us, above us only sky.
Imagine all the people living life in peace…
You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one
I hope some day you’ll joint us and the world will be as one”.
-John Lennon
•-While the original society and the advanced Naga Society in particular is pursuing technological advancement, we found ourselves (Eastern Nagas) as most pathetic community in times like today. Sorry to the Govt. of Myanmar for mentioning our homeland as ‘the land between Myanmar and India’, because looking at our society through the perspective of socio-economic, human resources and imperialism we are independent and free people though geographically we fall under Myanmar Govt.
Since from time immemorial, Naga tribes in the East (Indo Myanmar Border) have been living in a desolate and neglected land, clothes with turmoil for several decades. We were and are cut off from the mainland and the world as well in terms of both socio-economic and educational system. Even today when we tell of who and what we really are, people take it as a story. However, it is not a make up story. However, it is not a make up story, neither myth nor legend but this is the fact of our life in Eastern Naga homeland.
Geographically, Eastern Nagaland is three times bigger than the present state of Nagaland with roughly six lakhs population and approximately five hundred villages. Besides recognized and major tribes such as Khiamniungan, Konyak, Tangsang/Pangmi, Somra, Makury, Para and Lainung, various sub-tribes are yet to be recognized.
However, due to oppression and ban imposed upon the social organization by the Military Junta Govt. of Myanmar, there is no social or civil organization to be found except ENSA and the Naga Uya. Apart from human rights violation and religious persecution, lack of education system is a serious threat to the Naga Communities in the Indo-Myanmar Border. And ever since the clash between the Junta and Students’ community way back in 1988, the word ‘Students’ becomes more or less negative for them. In fact, education which is supposed to be the foremost priority in human society is a distant dream for the Naga youngsters in the East. It is quite pitiable and unfortunate that till today, there are few schools and not even a single college is to be found in the Eastern Nagaland. In this rain- like situation, students community under the banner of ENSA is left with no option other than just to start a new beginning to transform.
Today people sees Myanmar Govt. as all negative/pessimist. However, one should remember that whether Naga or Myanmar, we are ‘like each other, having weaknesses in our own way’. Indeed, the suffering of Eastern Naga rooted in Naga Nationalism. There is ever reason for everything. There is no reason why we are suffering and the reason is our total stand and support to Naga National Movement.
Fortunately or unfortunately, nationalists were the pioneer of Christianity for which religious exploitation is being carried out. And they call Christianity as ‘terrorist/underground religion’. We are also being charged for the destruction carried out during 1970s by the Naga underground against public properties like schools, dispensaries and bridges that provided and developed by Myanmar Govt. God and the pioneers of Naga Nationalist know who are the real National ‘Cross Bearer’.
After all, we found ourselves as remnant and abundant people. Myanmar Govt. hates us for being Nagas and supporting Naga cause without preservation. But today how unfortunate to find our voices missing in Nagas struggle for freedom. Then where to we go from here, to Egypt or Canaan?
For Eastern Nagas the cost of Naga struggle is something like, we have one coin and struggling to make it ten, whereas you have nine coins and struggling to make it ten.
Naga Nationalism cost a lot to us because it involves hundred of lives, sacrifices, tears and the bloods of Eastern Naga people. Therefore, we strongly believe that ‘to stand or to fall Eastern Naga lies in Naga National Movement’.
While sharing our sufferings to Naga brethren, and Global community we also would like to extend our joy and hope to Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for his bold step and standing tall against all odds any time but the echoes of your concern and redemptive work towards eastern Nagas will remain. So far as Naga history is concerned, Rio is a man who have the heart for the suffering Eastern Nagas after A.Z. Phizo, Naga veteran leader.
No leader can rightly deal the six decades aged Naga issue unless he first becomes the lover of all Nagas whether they are in Myanmar or India. And we know that your effort for redemption of Eastern Nagas will be opposed by the narrow minded leaders but we pray that we shall overcome later or sooner.
We also acknowledge Naga brothers who have the heart and concern for the eastern Nagas by sharing and advocating our problem to the Global Community through press media. We put our fervent request to the concern Naga brothers to serve special consideration in every field when you come across eastern Naga brothers and we hope that your contribution and compassionate service will strengthen to stand on our feet in near future.
Though Naga society as such has broken into pieces, but we still have and nobel hope that one day Nagas will overcome and live as one world.
God bless Naga leaders
God bless Naga people.
Y. Khomong Khiamniungan
General Secretary (ENSA)
