Nagaland: Fostering Peace and Understanding

Eastern Nagaland Students’ Leaders Consultative Meeting & Cultural Exchange Event held 

Moses Hongang Chang
Tuensang | November 15

In a concerted effort to address the unique challenges faced by Eastern Nagaland and promote harmony among its diverse tribes, the Eastern Nagaland Students’ Leaders Consultative Meeting & Cultural Exchange Event unfolded on November 14 last at the Eden Resource Centre in Tuensang town. Themed ‘Conflict Resolution,’ the event was a collaborative initiative, co-funded by the European Union and orchestrated by National Foundation of India (NFI), in partnership with Dolen Thangjam Society, Tuensang, and Eastern Nagaland Students’ Federation (ENSF).

The gathering, attended by officials from all federating units of ENSF, began under the moderation of O Akum Chang, Vice Principal, Government Higher Secondary School, Shamator. The enlightening discourse commenced with Rev Dr Chingmak, Secretary of ECS, delving into the intricacies of “Comprehensive Understanding of Peace.” Following this, Rev Achu Chang, Executive Secretary of Chang Baptist Lashing Thangyen (CBLT), shared profound insights on the vital aspect of “Leadership.”

This exclusive event provided a unique platform for participants to engage in in-depth discussions and brainstorming sessions, exploring various dimensions of peace and conflict resolution. The dialogue was not merely theoretical; it resonated with the ground realities faced by the region.

It is observed that Eastern Nagaland grapples with multifaceted challenges impeding its development, ranging from geographical isolation and natural disasters to inadequate transportation, improper connectivity, insufficient investments, and a substandard educational system. The region has been ensnared in a detrimental cycle of ethno-political conflict and under-development, further exacerbated by a lack of democratic governance, basic entitlements, and social infrastructure.

 Consequently, the youth in these regions find themselves vulnerable to unrest, substance abuse, and militarization.

Exploring collective strategies to promote peace 
Recognising the urgency of addressing these issues, the NFI, in collaboration with the EU, organised a one-day consultative meeting that brought together 50 Youth Leaders from the Eastern districts of Nagaland, representing seven distinct tribes-Chang, Phom, Sangtam, Yimkhiung, Khiamniungan, Konyak, and Tikhir.

The primary objective of this consultation was to establish a conducive environment for dialogue built upon mutual trust, with a specific focus on socio-political inclusion in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). The expectation was to facilitate the process of peace-building within communities experiencing conflict.

The consultation also aimed to identify any gaps or shortcomings in achieving a common ground for conflict resolution. As student leaders and representatives of the youth, the participants sought to explore collective strategies to promote peace in the event of future conflicts or tensions, both within and outside their communities.

Adding an international perspective to the discussions, Visiting Professor Ian from Sydney, Australia, spoke briefly on peace and leadership, broadening the horizon of the discourse. The event was not limited to discussions alone; it featured a rich cultural exchange segment where participants from Yimkhiung, Khiamniungan, Sangtam, and Chang communities showcased various activities.

These activities ranged from agricultural practices and head hunting enactments to bamboo pole dancing by the Khiamniungan, warfare dance, traditional games of women, male dance by Sangtam, and traditional folk songs by Yimkhiung. The event also included the classification of different clans, such as Oung, Hongang, Kangshou, and Lomou by Chang.

The gathering concluded with a consultative meeting for the federating units of ENSF, moderated by ENSF officials. The event saw a substantial turnout of nearly 100 participants actively engaging in the discussions and cultural exchange activities.

This comprehensive consultation not only addressed the pressing issue of conflict resolution but also laid the foundation for initiatives supporting minority rights, empowering women, fostering sustainable socio-economic development, promoting education, and encouraging cultural cooperation among the participating communities. The Eastern Nagaland Students’ Leaders Consultative Meeting & Cultural Exchange Event served as a pivotal moment in the ongoing journey towards peace, understanding, and collaborative development in the region.