'Kindly withdraw from overseeing'

Khekiye K. Sema IAS (Retd.)
Upper Forest Colony, Kohima  

"NSCN (I-M) clarifies on 4-lane project issue" (Saturday, June 24, 2017). [Quote]:- "The NSCN/GPRN have been overseeing all kinds of developmental Projects being undertaken within Nagalim to see that the works are executed according to the specifications and quality is maintained for the good of the Naga people and the ongoing constructions of 4-Lanes Road between Dimapur and Kohima is no exception". [Unquote].  

This opening statement of NSCN (IM) takes the cake...hands down...as the best joke of the year. One has to however admit that the first part of their statement contains 50% of confirmed truth. Without doubt NSCN (IM) have very efficiently been "overseeing all the developmental projects" within the State of Nagaland at an unsparing rate of 5%. NSCN (IM) definitely qualifies as a "5% Overseer"... being the rate of extortion from all developmental funds in Nagaland. NSCN (IM) was also a "24% Overseer" over every Government Servant's salary across the board...which has now been reduced to 12% as officially declared by them in the local print media with a silent applause from the State Government. There is hardly any space left in Nagaland that the NSCN (IM) has not raped with their "Overseeing". These are irrefutable facts. NSCN (IM)...including all the other Factions..."overseeing developmental projects" is in fact at the core of the damned problem of stagnation and poor workmanship in our State. It is also the core reason which discourages our younger generation from entering the world of entrepreneurship. NSCN (IM) must revisit the meaning of "for the good of the Naga people" because they have been able to accomplish just the opposite on the ground these past decades.  

Because of the fear induced silence of the masses, NSCN (IM) has been emboldened to hypocritically speak half truths without any hesitation from every hole in their bodies and getting away with it for all these years. They have taken it for granted that the Nagas, especially those living within the State of Nagaland, have neither the guts nor the brains to see through their layers of lies. According to MIP (Most Ignorant People?) NSCN (IM) [Quote]: "found that the construction works was halted on 16 June, 2017. Therefore, NSCN/GPRN Officials enquired from the Engineers working in the fields as to why works were stopped and they responded that, as it rained heavily they suspended the work on the previous day". [Unquote]. For the sake of "Nagaland for Christ" could NSCN (IM) not find a better excuse than this?! Was there no heavy rainfall before 15th June 2017 in Nagaland, yet the work had continued? Nagaland experienced the most unusual rainfall on 15th June 2017 afternoon that led to the contractors stopping the work. 5% 'negotiable' demand was heavily raining down induced by Lt. Col. Peter, Medziphima Town Command from NSCN (IM)'s fame, (not St. Peter from the Bible fame) which directly resulted in work closure the following day. ACAUT may be unrecognized and un-mandated by NSCN (IM) but it probably has more recognition and mandate in the eyes of the Naga masses than that of even NSCN (IM). When facts were unearthed ACAUT had a responsible sense to honestly share the same with the people just as much as it was expected for "the likes of KK Sema and Joel Rengma" to join the bandwagon. The same goes for the Governor of Nagaland as well.  

When direct initiative had been undertaken at the level of Ino Ayong, the Deputy Tsapili Kilonser, NSCN (IM), concerning the 'negotiable' 5% demand from every Contractor; When Ino Hukavi, the Kilo Kilonser and Ino Daniel, Deputy Finance Secretary, NSCN (IM) were all well and truly aware of what was going on, what was the farce of pretending to carry out an enquiry "from the Engineers working in the fields" to extract a stupid excuse? These unfortunate Engineers are also human beings. They also have a very strong desire of wanting to continue living like everyone else and therefore they would be prepared to say that 'an apple is an orange' under threat.  

Rather than play the cat and mouse tournament, the Nagas within the State of Nagaland would dare NSCN (IM) to prove their sincerity by publicly declaring that they will stop demanding any percentage of money from the Contractors to eliminate all manner of misgivings...then the 15th/16th June 2017 kind of rain will not happen again to stop the work. Nagas will also be ecstatically grateful to NSCN (IM) if they completely stop "overseeing" this project. Their "Overseeing" is directly and equally responsible for all the poor quality work that we see around us today with an equal partnering help of the Political, bureaucratic and Contracting Overseers. Knowing the ground realities therefore, the Nagas would joyfully thank God and the NSCN (IM) if the latter stops "overseeing all kinds of developmental Projects" within the State of Nagaland even if they want to continue "overseeing the projects" within Nagalim in Manipur Hills, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and elsewhere. Nagaland will be a far better place to live in if NSCN (IM) withdraws from their 'Overseeing' irresponsibility. So plleeaassee withdraw from "Overseeing" anything in Nagaland sector.