Dimapur, September 20 (MExN): It goes without saying that the Naga people wish the Naga political groups reconcile and bring the unending bloodshed to an end.
Nagas do not doubt whether or not a Naga citizen actually supports reconciliation or the leaders meeting. As last week’s The Morung Express weekly poll results show, the widespread doubt is whether the core principles of reconciliation would be upheld and adhered to by the Naga groups. In fact, there were many Naga voters who said they don’t trust the groups to have an ideal so high as ‘reconciliation’ and ‘forgiveness’ when they still indulge in the low activities of collecting illegal money from the public in the name of “tax.”
One opinion was that most of the leaders are advanced in their age and they are no more aware of what is happening at the ground. “They don’t know the ground reality. If they knew the ground reality and saw how tired and angry the Naga public is with them, I am sure they will immediately reconcile,” one citizen said.
In the poll, 84% voters said ‘yes’ to the question “Do you support the proposed reconciliation meeting among the top leaders of the Naga groups?” 10 % said ‘no’ and others, a 06%, washed their hands off the entire matter. Interestingly, while the outcome of the poll was more than predictable it was the doubt and cynicism the total 16% of ‘no’ and ‘others’ expressed.
While the majority ‘yes’ said they do support the meeting, the more practical 16% strongly emphasized an underlying trend of doubt that the Naga political groups would be sincere at all, a lot less genuinely reconcile. In fact, even the ‘yes’ voters emphasized what the Naga political groups need to do – sincerity and purity of goal and intent – if at all genuine reconciliation is to be brought about.
“Because it will not change anything. Call me cynical. But that’s the reality,” stated a citizen who obviously knows well how Naga “nationalist” politics has been showing itself to be since long.
Another citizen expressed his doubt: “I don’t trust them. They don’t seem sincere enough. They are interested in protecting their own territories, rather than defending the Naga country. I am very disappointed by their attitude. They are only blaming other and justifying their own actions. How can I believe them when they don’t care about the Naga cause anymore?”
“Reconciliation meeting has been going on and on....and like always it’s not going to materialize....all the high level organizations will meet, read out long ready made speeches...go home and forget all about it. What we really need to do is walk the talk,” one said.
An echo was heard: “The meeting will not yield any result because they are not able to forgive each other. They are also serving their own interest,” another voter said.
Even those who expressed ‘yes’ in support advised that the leaders of the Naga armed groups need to do away with their egotism, corruption and self-righteousness – personal or as an organization. The stubbornness, egotism and corruption of the Naga groups was regularly mentioned in the ‘yes’ category as well.
“Reconciliation is the only hope for the Nagas. If our top leaders are too stubborn and egoist to forgive and reconcile with each other, the Naga tribes… should choose one new Naga leaders... How long will we live like this? Aren’t we all tired of paying taxes to four or five groups? We don’t even know what they do with the money they collect. Maybe with the tax money they are feeding their families and building houses and buying cars,” said a voter who said ‘yes.’
The general mood of the people – even those who support reconciliation – may be summed up in the observation of a weary voter: “This (reconciliation meeting) is very much needed. But I remain skeptical because Naga underground leaders are not known for keeping their words. They let the situation dictate their decisions. Our leaders are too emotional and are not able to reason with each other. They are living in their own kingdoms and don’t seem to care about the Naga people and the Naga cause. I want our top leaders to meet, but I don’t trust them, because their actions are opposite to what they say. Our Naga leaders have lost the trust and faith of the people. The only way for them to regain their lost glory is to reconcile with each other.”
