Z K Pahrii Pou
Mission Colony, Pfutsero
Albert Einstein is believed to have defined ‘insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.’ If Einstein did indeed say it, he was probably referring to the scientific method of research where different types of experimentation are required to achieve the targeted result. But, what if, this definition is applied to check the progress of Nagas’ freedom movement? Probably our movement had stuck on the definition of ‘insanity’- with no substantial result achieved so far or near in sight. In this situation, it is of urgent importance to strategise a new ‘thought experimentation.’ Here I place two options before the Naga public for perusal.
The first option is to think of attaining freedom through armed struggle. This means strengthening Naga’s armed groups with all the available means including financial and logistics. To start with, all the Naga Political Groups (NPGs- civil and army) must come together for the sake of nation leaving behind all personal, party and ideological differences. Remember, the best well trained guerrilla fighters LTTE was defeated and crushed not because of the might of Sri Lanka armed forces but because of the disunity among the ranks and files of LTTE. The lesson is very clear for the Nagas too. Success and failure depend much on our unity or disunity. Hence, the NPGs should unite and concentrate on fighting for the Naga’s rights unitedly. A strong Naga armed group can shake mighty India and force them to listen to us. India opened its eyes and ears only to the sound of guns and bombs. Without the NPGs, even our own neighbouring communities will undermine our rights completely as Naga’s population remained minority under different states in India and Myanmar. In this context, we need to have a strong, well-trained and well coordinated armed group to achieve not only the right to self-determination but also to protect our land and natural resources from the onslaught of unrestrained global market forces.
To this end, the Nagas need to invest human and financial resources in developing and maintaining freedom fighters. We need only 15,000 to 20,000 well trained and well disciplined fighters to achieve our goal. It is a kind of employment avenues for our youth. Salary/stipend can be paid in handsome amount. The united force of Naga freedom fighters can work wonder. With full support from the Naga public, our fighters (though small in number) will be able to deal effectively with any situation created by the enemy forces. The state government and civil society organisations including the church must give full effort in bringing unity among the various NPGs. Unity is all that matters. However, if unity among the different NPGs is not at all a possibility and if they cannot bring an ‘honourable and inclusive solution’ to the protracted Indo-Naga political problem within a specific timeframe, then our NPGs may humbly give chance to the public to think of another possibility.
The second option is to think of mass based non-violent movement spearheaded by civil society organisation. It means re-imagining the movement without NPGs (both civil and armed cadres). It means re-imagining life with complete demilitarisation (starting with revocation of AFSPA) from the entire Naga homeland. All Indian armed forces will be stationed in their barracks. The constricted gun-toting society would be then replaced by an opened and vibrant society. Fear psychosis created by militarisation and armed conflict will be replaced by freedom of thoughts and expression and healthy debate. Women’s security that has been battered by armed conflict will be restored. Gun’s economy (which is destructive) will be replaced by spade economy (which is productive). Financial resource will be diverted from buying weapons and maintenance of cadres to infrastructural development including educational, health and sports institutions. The freedom of movement and freedom from taxation will enable Naga farmers and entrepreneurs to improve their economy. Labour of thousands of cadres will be diverted towards productive works especially in agriculture and its allied activities. The rampant corruption prevailing in the region will be tackled to a great extent. With strong civil organisation in place, one can expect of building strong Naga nation with active participation from all walks of life.
To protect and to work for the welfare of the Nagas including the right to self-determination, a strong civil society organisation will be required to replace Naga Political Groups. To this end, a serious thought should be given on revamping Naga Hoho (NH) to be a robust organisation. A strong mass-based-movement can be expected under NH. Besides having a Convenor, there can be co-convenor from all the Naga inhabited states of India and Myanmar. There can be Youth Wing and Women’s Wing for mass mobilisation and effective functioning. NH will be the stump of various Naga civil organisations. Naga movement will then reverberate across the Naga homeland. This apex Naga body can reach out to and seek support from likeminded intellectuals and international organisations. It’s time for every sensible Naga leader to come out from the cocoon of regionalism, tribalism and factionalism and fight for greater common cause.
Concluding Remark: The world is changing at fast pace. Time is running out for the Nagas as neighbouring communities are advancing far ahead than us in many areas. Nagas are at the verge of losing everything including all God gifted rich natural resources. The Naga movement must come to an end before sacrificing another generation. We need to counter against the destructive tactics of ‘procrastinate settling the Indo-Naga issue and let it vanish by itself’ adopted by New Delhi. Delaying the settlement of Indo-Naga political talk is benefitting India at the cost of development, peace and security of the Nagas. If we do not take a concrete step and act today, we may never win the battle and our children might become the slave of others tomorrow. We are born free and to be free but we have enslaved ourselves for so long because of disunity. We have to think creatively, wisely and act fast to escape from our own enslavement. If we are willing, nothing is impossible. Decide. This article is written not to malign or to challenge any organisation or the powers that be but to provoke fellow citizens to retrospect the past course of history with sincerity for a better tomorrow. If there is better option, I will be most happy to hear from you all.
