A new year! A new decade!
As we emerge from our merry-making and celebrations, the above heading may seem cautious, even apprehensive or skeptical to some. But it can also be a really honest question that goes through the heart and pierces the mind of every Naga.
Having opened this piece with such a neutral and broad theme, I now want to concentrate on one issue. Everyone will agree that what occupies, and pre-occupies, every Naga mind, and many of the neighbours, is whether the Naga Political Issue could be settled in a way that would be acceptable to all and, therefore, actually work on the ground.
The search for a workable and acceptable settlement of the Naga Issue has traveled a long way. The Journey of Common Hope and the reconciliation efforts have come quite a distance as well and walked through some rough roads. The important thing is that this Journey, despite difficulties, has not stopped. It is continuing. What is even more important is that the various Naga Nationalist organizations, the Overground political parties, and the Naga public in general are supporting this Journey. This is where the hope springs from. But there is also danger ahead! The danger is that after traveling thus far, the journey could lose some steam! Naga issues, and Nagas themselves, are always sensitive and vulnerable as we have all seen time and again. Therefore, it is important for present efforts not to lose steam. On the other hand, the efforts must be redoubled. The various Naga organizations, the political groups, both Overground and Underground, and the Naga public in general, must strive further.
Sure, a problem that has lasted so many decades cannot be settled easily. But in given Naga society, we have also seen in the past that once things are in place, a little more effort can often effect breakthroughs that were thought impossible not so long before! If such a thing were to happen in this case, hopefully, there could be a settlement this coming year! At least one prays this would happen. Some people thought a settlement could take place last year itself. I was skeptical then. I want to be a little more hopeful during 2011.
However, there are still difficult hurdles ahead before an acceptable, workable and durable settlement could take place. At the risk of sounding presumptuous, one would like to share the following so that they may provoke Naga thinking and bring forth more and better thoughts and initiatives.
1. The inability of all Naga factions to come together and meet across the table on a level playing field is still the biggest hurdle. Given the Naga general mood, those who refuse to do this may find themselves sidelined – and they will have no one to blame but themselves! Once the factions come together on a level playing field, things could move faster. Let the various factional leaders sit across the table in mutual respect for sacrifices they have all made. They can also decide who among them should negotiate with the Government of India. The general Naga public is not too bothered about who negotiates so long as they agree among themselves, take the people into confidence, and there is a prospect of settling this long-standing Issue. Once the Underground agrees, the pressure would fall on the Overground political parties/groups to collaborate and offer support. However, one thinks, this should not prove too much of a problem as the Overground parties have all supported the Peace initiatives till now. In any case, unlike the factions, they have to regularly go to the people for their votes!
2. Most Nagas are basically Naga-centric in their thinking. However, it has always been clear that the Naga Issue cannot be settled to Naga satisfaction in isolation without, somehow, to some degree, taking on board our neighbours. This cannot be done without meeting and talking to them whether they are Meiteis, Assamese or from Arunachal Pradesh. Such meetings with neighbours can also be successful/fruitful only if we have visions for them. Such “visions”, without being patronizing, must take into consideration their concerns and the greatest good for the region. Only then the sincerity of Nagas as neighbours and brothers will become apparent to them and also give them an opportunity to show magnanimity and grace towards the Nagas.
3. What and how to negotiate with Government of India? This will become clear when the Factions unite and also, subsequently, sit down with the Overground political groups – the Overground political groups have administrative and governing experience and will have a lot to contribute. Some of the areas for negotiation also seem to have become clear already. Sovereignty, apparently, is out of the question as far as GoI is concerned. Even Naga Integration (physical land integration) is going to be very difficult, if not impossible. Under such circumstances, what will those who negotiate on behalf of Naga people do, especially after what all the factions have claimed and promised? This is where it is so important for all the factions to sit down together and agree on certain basic points.
4. Whoever negotiates for the Naga people, needless to say, will have a difficult task and need an adequate vision for the Nagas in the present world situation. This vision must be apparent to the Naga people as it concerns their future – “slogans” will no longer work. Such transparency will also create confidence and build the needed support. The task of the negotiators is going to be mountainous and they will need tremendous Naga support for what they may ask or bring. We must appreciate these difficulties. But the negotiators must also realize that their negotiations could result in either peace or more war! This again highlights the need for mutual cooperation among all Nagas. This, of course, does not mean that the negotiators must disclose publicly the hows and whatevers of what they would negotiate with GoI. But, certainly, they will need to disclose the broad contours of what they intend and, perhaps, a little more to those who represent the Naga people in their various ways. To think that a deed can be first done and explained away afterwards is no longer practical or feasible.
5. How to build a common Naga future, or at least provide a level playing field with other competitors in the world, is the concern of all Nagas. Nagas have entered cyberspace, and are no longer thinking within their village scopes. They want to excel and better others. Such aspirations are legitimate and to be encouraged. Anyone, claiming to be fighting for the Naga people must take such aspirations into account and take these aspirations seriously. Yesterday’s generation and today’s are different – Tomorrow’s will be even more different! This may be unpleasant to some but we all have to move with the times, as the saying goes. “Nagas on the march” is what today’s generation wants and needs.
The question now remains how sincere our leaders, of all hues, are! If they are all sincere then one sees the possibility of breakthroughs in seemingly impossible impasses. If they are not, than despite all kinds of slogans and nice sounding words and promises, little will happen. At such a juncture, one dares to suggest for Naga leaders to consider and act upon the following:-
1. Underground leaders to think less of personal and group interests and to come together for the sake of the Naga people and also for themselves so that the sacrifices they, and their families, have made become meaningful.
2. Overground leaders to unite and to keep opening the way for a negotiated settlement at the earliest.
3. For tribe leaders and other umbrella Naga organizations, such as Church fora, ENPO, Naga Hoho etc., to think for the whole and not just for their tribes or organizations. They represent the “people”. If the common good for all Nagas are to happen, their efforts would be most required.
4. The Naga intellectual community, especially those in universities, must play a more active role. They can also help to democratize Naga society more than now so that dissenting and unpopular voices are also heard. If this is not done Mobocracy takes over and Might becomes Right. The result is that society goes topsy-turvy.
5. The media too could play an even more positive role by giving space to all as well as balanced comments on events. Trends are often more important than events/occasions themselves. Such presentation of trends would also provide space for contemporary happenings taking place elsewhere and which might have bearings on our society. Stories of positive changes in society should find more space. Above all, the media could continue its efforts to provide directions to where society ought to be going.
To be fair, it should also be mentioned that the media in Nagaland has been functioning under strenuous conditions and has been performing very well. Where it could do more, perhaps, are in the areas of presenting trends and giving directions on issues and/or presenting “signposts” to society. They should also be able to take irresponsible leaders to task whenever thoughtless actions are taken. For such stands the media would need the support of the Naga public.
A lot has happened since the signing of this second Indo-Naga Ceasefire about 13 years ago. Situations, the world over, have also drastically changed. Some opportunities for Nagas have also come and, perhaps, gone because our people were not ready. But some ground situations have still not changed after this prolonged period. These need to change for the sake of the Naga people. A clear example is for the NSCN-IM to shift their position a little more and give due recognition to fellow “nationalists” in other factions so that a level playing field is created and they could all sit across the table to thrash out the things that are important for our people. I am sure the IM faction will be unhappy but it also seems unlikely for GoI to sign a final agreement with them alone. Nevertheless, several shifts have also taken place in Naga perceptions and actions, be they of leaders or led. They give hope.
Finally, one’s best wishes to all for the New Year and the new decade. May Nagas find peace and may Naga children begin to pursue their aspirations the way they would wish to. And may Naga people, like the Communitization Programme, continue to make singular contributions to the human family, thereby proving our uniqueness!
As we emerge from our merry-making and celebrations, the above heading may seem cautious, even apprehensive or skeptical to some. But it can also be a really honest question that goes through the heart and pierces the mind of every Naga.
Having opened this piece with such a neutral and broad theme, I now want to concentrate on one issue. Everyone will agree that what occupies, and pre-occupies, every Naga mind, and many of the neighbours, is whether the Naga Political Issue could be settled in a way that would be acceptable to all and, therefore, actually work on the ground.
The search for a workable and acceptable settlement of the Naga Issue has traveled a long way. The Journey of Common Hope and the reconciliation efforts have come quite a distance as well and walked through some rough roads. The important thing is that this Journey, despite difficulties, has not stopped. It is continuing. What is even more important is that the various Naga Nationalist organizations, the Overground political parties, and the Naga public in general are supporting this Journey. This is where the hope springs from. But there is also danger ahead! The danger is that after traveling thus far, the journey could lose some steam! Naga issues, and Nagas themselves, are always sensitive and vulnerable as we have all seen time and again. Therefore, it is important for present efforts not to lose steam. On the other hand, the efforts must be redoubled. The various Naga organizations, the political groups, both Overground and Underground, and the Naga public in general, must strive further.
Sure, a problem that has lasted so many decades cannot be settled easily. But in given Naga society, we have also seen in the past that once things are in place, a little more effort can often effect breakthroughs that were thought impossible not so long before! If such a thing were to happen in this case, hopefully, there could be a settlement this coming year! At least one prays this would happen. Some people thought a settlement could take place last year itself. I was skeptical then. I want to be a little more hopeful during 2011.
However, there are still difficult hurdles ahead before an acceptable, workable and durable settlement could take place. At the risk of sounding presumptuous, one would like to share the following so that they may provoke Naga thinking and bring forth more and better thoughts and initiatives.
1. The inability of all Naga factions to come together and meet across the table on a level playing field is still the biggest hurdle. Given the Naga general mood, those who refuse to do this may find themselves sidelined – and they will have no one to blame but themselves! Once the factions come together on a level playing field, things could move faster. Let the various factional leaders sit across the table in mutual respect for sacrifices they have all made. They can also decide who among them should negotiate with the Government of India. The general Naga public is not too bothered about who negotiates so long as they agree among themselves, take the people into confidence, and there is a prospect of settling this long-standing Issue. Once the Underground agrees, the pressure would fall on the Overground political parties/groups to collaborate and offer support. However, one thinks, this should not prove too much of a problem as the Overground parties have all supported the Peace initiatives till now. In any case, unlike the factions, they have to regularly go to the people for their votes!
2. Most Nagas are basically Naga-centric in their thinking. However, it has always been clear that the Naga Issue cannot be settled to Naga satisfaction in isolation without, somehow, to some degree, taking on board our neighbours. This cannot be done without meeting and talking to them whether they are Meiteis, Assamese or from Arunachal Pradesh. Such meetings with neighbours can also be successful/fruitful only if we have visions for them. Such “visions”, without being patronizing, must take into consideration their concerns and the greatest good for the region. Only then the sincerity of Nagas as neighbours and brothers will become apparent to them and also give them an opportunity to show magnanimity and grace towards the Nagas.
3. What and how to negotiate with Government of India? This will become clear when the Factions unite and also, subsequently, sit down with the Overground political groups – the Overground political groups have administrative and governing experience and will have a lot to contribute. Some of the areas for negotiation also seem to have become clear already. Sovereignty, apparently, is out of the question as far as GoI is concerned. Even Naga Integration (physical land integration) is going to be very difficult, if not impossible. Under such circumstances, what will those who negotiate on behalf of Naga people do, especially after what all the factions have claimed and promised? This is where it is so important for all the factions to sit down together and agree on certain basic points.
4. Whoever negotiates for the Naga people, needless to say, will have a difficult task and need an adequate vision for the Nagas in the present world situation. This vision must be apparent to the Naga people as it concerns their future – “slogans” will no longer work. Such transparency will also create confidence and build the needed support. The task of the negotiators is going to be mountainous and they will need tremendous Naga support for what they may ask or bring. We must appreciate these difficulties. But the negotiators must also realize that their negotiations could result in either peace or more war! This again highlights the need for mutual cooperation among all Nagas. This, of course, does not mean that the negotiators must disclose publicly the hows and whatevers of what they would negotiate with GoI. But, certainly, they will need to disclose the broad contours of what they intend and, perhaps, a little more to those who represent the Naga people in their various ways. To think that a deed can be first done and explained away afterwards is no longer practical or feasible.
5. How to build a common Naga future, or at least provide a level playing field with other competitors in the world, is the concern of all Nagas. Nagas have entered cyberspace, and are no longer thinking within their village scopes. They want to excel and better others. Such aspirations are legitimate and to be encouraged. Anyone, claiming to be fighting for the Naga people must take such aspirations into account and take these aspirations seriously. Yesterday’s generation and today’s are different – Tomorrow’s will be even more different! This may be unpleasant to some but we all have to move with the times, as the saying goes. “Nagas on the march” is what today’s generation wants and needs.
The question now remains how sincere our leaders, of all hues, are! If they are all sincere then one sees the possibility of breakthroughs in seemingly impossible impasses. If they are not, than despite all kinds of slogans and nice sounding words and promises, little will happen. At such a juncture, one dares to suggest for Naga leaders to consider and act upon the following:-
1. Underground leaders to think less of personal and group interests and to come together for the sake of the Naga people and also for themselves so that the sacrifices they, and their families, have made become meaningful.
2. Overground leaders to unite and to keep opening the way for a negotiated settlement at the earliest.
3. For tribe leaders and other umbrella Naga organizations, such as Church fora, ENPO, Naga Hoho etc., to think for the whole and not just for their tribes or organizations. They represent the “people”. If the common good for all Nagas are to happen, their efforts would be most required.
4. The Naga intellectual community, especially those in universities, must play a more active role. They can also help to democratize Naga society more than now so that dissenting and unpopular voices are also heard. If this is not done Mobocracy takes over and Might becomes Right. The result is that society goes topsy-turvy.
5. The media too could play an even more positive role by giving space to all as well as balanced comments on events. Trends are often more important than events/occasions themselves. Such presentation of trends would also provide space for contemporary happenings taking place elsewhere and which might have bearings on our society. Stories of positive changes in society should find more space. Above all, the media could continue its efforts to provide directions to where society ought to be going.
To be fair, it should also be mentioned that the media in Nagaland has been functioning under strenuous conditions and has been performing very well. Where it could do more, perhaps, are in the areas of presenting trends and giving directions on issues and/or presenting “signposts” to society. They should also be able to take irresponsible leaders to task whenever thoughtless actions are taken. For such stands the media would need the support of the Naga public.
A lot has happened since the signing of this second Indo-Naga Ceasefire about 13 years ago. Situations, the world over, have also drastically changed. Some opportunities for Nagas have also come and, perhaps, gone because our people were not ready. But some ground situations have still not changed after this prolonged period. These need to change for the sake of the Naga people. A clear example is for the NSCN-IM to shift their position a little more and give due recognition to fellow “nationalists” in other factions so that a level playing field is created and they could all sit across the table to thrash out the things that are important for our people. I am sure the IM faction will be unhappy but it also seems unlikely for GoI to sign a final agreement with them alone. Nevertheless, several shifts have also taken place in Naga perceptions and actions, be they of leaders or led. They give hope.
Finally, one’s best wishes to all for the New Year and the new decade. May Nagas find peace and may Naga children begin to pursue their aspirations the way they would wish to. And may Naga people, like the Communitization Programme, continue to make singular contributions to the human family, thereby proving our uniqueness!
