For someone who can only call a spade a spade, it is difficult to comprehend the ACAUT’s very lofty slogan ‘One Government One Tax’ when such slogan is followed by words such as ‘for one strong Naga National movement’. There would be no confusion if the ACAUT take only the unequivocal stand that the state government alone has the right to impose tax and that taxation by any other entity is illegal, but such is not their stand, and this is what confounds the mind. From their public avowals, it can be gathered that the ACAUT is for and not against the cause of Naga Nationalism. The ACAUT is also in support of an honourable final solution to the Naga issue. The ACAUT’s slogan itself concedes that taxation is necessary to sustain the National movement, and yet, at the same time, it aggressively seeks to thwart all taxation by the NSCN (IM). The ACAUT’s stand cannot have any credibility so long as it is mired in such contradictions.
The Naga Freedom Movement, since the very formation of the Naga National Council (NNC) in 1946, is sustained by taxes paid by the people of Nagaland. After decades of struggle, we are on the verge of a historic settlement through the ongoing talks between the Government of India and the NSCN (IM). One may recall that the peace process that began in 1997 has the full support and blessings of the people of Nagaland. The highlight of the ceasefire agreement of 1997 is that the Government of India under Prime Minister Narasimha Rao agreed to political negotiation with the NSCN (IM) in a foreign country and the then Prime Minister even went to the extent of meeting the two Naga leaders at Paris, France. In January 2005, at the consultative meet organized at the Hebron camp, more than 10,000 representatives of all Naga tribes comprising of Headmen of all the villages, all tribal HOHOs, Student Organizations, Women organization, concerned Naga Senior Citizens etc. gathered and after serious deliberations unanimously placed mandate upon the two leaders of the NSCN (IM) to bring about a peaceful political settlement to the Naga issue with the Government of India based on the Indian Government’s recognition of the ‘Uniqueness of Naga History’. The mandate so given cannot be viewed lightly or cancelled or recalled by any group or persons. No matter how unpleasant it can be to some sections of society, the mandate includes the power to mobilize funds required to sustain the process till the final objective is attained and this power includes the power to impose tax. Of course, it is also the duty of those imposing the tax that the tax should be reasonable and must not overburden the taxpayer. The issue, therefore, is a very delicate one which needs to be handled with care and objectivity, and not emotionally. It would do well for the ACAUT and other like-minded groups to work at achieving a balance rather than take a confrontational stand.
The Congress Party and the Naga National Movement
It is human nature to claim responsibility in victory but deny participation in defeat. Now that solution to the Naga issue is near at hand, the Congress Party in the State is staking claim that the Congress Party has all along been in active support of a peaceful solution to the Naga Issue. Whether such claim has substance or not only history can tell and if one may go back in time and follow the course of history of the Naga struggle, apart from the fact that the ceasefire of 1997 was signed during the Congress rule under P. Narasimha Rao, the then Prime Minister, one shall find no evidence to substantiate the stand taken by the Congress. In fact, only ample evidences abound of the Congress machinations aimed to crush the Naga movement at any cost, the author and conductor of which has been the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty. Jawaharal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India arbitrarily ceded a greater portion of Eastern Nagaland to the Burmese Government subsequent to his meeting with U Nu, the then Prime Minister of Burma, at Kohima, in the year 1953. This was followed by the deployment of the Indian Army to Nagaland that started the reign of terror and bloodshed in Nagaland, the extent and degree of the atrocities of which requires no mention herein. This again was followed by the imposition of the Unlawful Activities Act and the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which to this ery day remain in force.
In 1960, bypassing the Federal Government of Nagaland, the 16 Point Agreement or the 1960 settlement was brought into effect by the Congress, which in Nagaland was then named NNO. This settlement introduced the ‘divide and rule policy’ into Nagaland. With the first election to the Nagaland State Legislative Assembly coming up in 1964, the Democratic Party of Nagaland was formed in December 1963 under the leadership of A. Kevichusa as the President with the objective to bring about a political negotiation between the Federal Government of Nagaland and the Government of India. Owing to manipulations of the Congress/NNO at the time of filing of the nomination for the 1964 Elections, the Democratic Party could set up candidates in 18 Assembly Constituencies only, out of which 12 were returned. Why I say that the Congress/NNO resorted to manipulations is because I was at the receiving end of such action as one of the candidates at the election. Immediately, the next day after the submission of my nomination papers, the VG (Village Guards) arrested me and took me to their camp at Mopungchuket village. Two prominent leaders and elders of the party, namely, Metongnokchaba and Imlimeren were also arrested by the VG and brought to the camp in gunny bags. Seeing the gunny bags, I thought the VGs were carrying their ration. From the Mopungchuket VG Camp, I was taken to the Mokokchung Jail. At the gate of the jail, the two gunny bags were opened and, to my great surprise, out came the two elders. I and the two elders remained lodged in the jail until uncle A. Kevichusa, the party president, came all the way to Mokokchung to bail me out. The day I was released was only two days away from the date of polling. Thus, I was prevented from campaigning for the election, but fortunately, because of the freedom loving mass support, I was returned at the election.
The 12 elected candidates of the Democratic Party formed the opposition bench with Vizol as the leader and Tajen Advocate as the deputy leader, and the opposition, in earnest, exerted pressure on the ruling Congress/NNO government to bring about ceasefire and political negotiation between the Government of India and the Federal Government of Nagaland. The effort bore fruit in the form of the declaration of ceasefire on 6th September, 1964, and the start of the negotiation between the two Governments. The objective of the Democratic Party having been achieved, the 12 elected members resigned en block on 8th December, 1964, to pave way for smooth negotiation between the Government of India and the Federal Government of Nagaland. The NNO, however, continued in office and in time nominated 12 members in place of the 12 seats vacated by the Democratic Party.
The ceasefire of 1964 was followed by several rounds of negotiations between the representatives of the Federal Government of Nagaland headed by Late Zashie Horray, and the Government of India represented by Shri. Gondavia. In the meantime, Indira Gandhi became the Prime Minister of India and with her ascension, the talks broke down. Haing managed to win over Late Sukhai, Ato Kilonser (Prime Minister) of the Federal Goernment of Nagaland, Indira Gandhi terminated the negotiation declaring that thenceforth the talks would be held at the Prime Ministerial level meaning thereby that she as the Prime Minister would directly negotiate only with the Ato Kilonser of the Federal Government of Nagaland. The outcome was the formation of the Revolutionary Government by way of huge monetary sanction for some and for others by way of creation of a brigade of the Border Security Force (BSF), and ultimately, the abrogation of the ceasefire. This was the beginning of factionalism in Nagaland politics.
The abrogation of the ceasefire by Indira Gandhi led to fresh atrocities and bloodshed that culminated in the now infamous Shillong Accord of 1975, which further splintered the freedom fighters and as a result, the NSCN was born, and the struggle continued. After the death of Indira Gandhi by assassination, her son Rajiv Gandhi, who succeeded her, continued her legacy until he too was assassinated. With the death of Rajiv Gandhi, the Congress party chose P.V. Narasimha Rao to be the Prime Minister of India. P.V. Narasimha Rao, not being of the Nehru-Gandhi family saw the senselessness in perpetuating the war with the Nagas and saw it fit to declare ceasefire and to conduct peaceful political negotiations with the NSCN (IM). Thus, the 1997 ceasefire happened. In the meantime, the NDA Government led by the BJP came into power at the Centre, headed by Vajpayee as the Prime Minister, and it was during this Government that the ‘Uniqueness of Naga History’ was given recognition and earnestness was shown to bring about an amicable settlement to the Naga Issue.
Unfortunately, at the next ensuing election, the Congress led UPA Government came to power at the Centre and another Gandhi, i.e. Sonia Gandhi became the de facto Prime Minister, and this government, as we know, continued for two full terms, during which period, obviously, the talks virtually came to a standstill. During this period, in 2009, the Congress Government even made an attempt to hijack the political negotiation by trying to convince the State Government to accept huge financial package instead of political settlement. Fortunately, the State Government did not succumb to the offer. Chidambaram, the then Home Minister was the architect of this move. An article relating to this was published in the national papers. The Concerned Naga Senior Citizens having learnt of this act of treachery travelled to Delhi on 14th July, 2009, to address the Prime Minister, the Home Minister and few other leaders on this issue. The next day, the Senior Citizens first met K. Padmanabhiah, the then interlocutor and apprised him of the dangers involved in the move made by the Home Minister. After this, they met the Home Minister and when confronted, he became restless and evasive. The following day, the Senior Citizens met Manmohan Singh, the then Prime Minister, and enquired as to how the Home Minister came to make the move against the peace process. The Prime Minister also became evasive, but assured the Senior Citizens that the peace talks with the NSCN would continue unhindered. The assurance notwithstanding, the talks led nowhere during the entire tenure of UPA Government. Finally, as a savior to the Nagas, the Lok Sabha Elections came around, and the Congress party and its allies were thrown out of power paving the way for the BJP Government. The BJP had earlier given assurance that if the party should come to power at the Centre, the talks shall commence in earnest and final settlement arrived at without delay. As promised, the talks are proceeding positively and the settlement is expected soon. Not surprisingly, the Congress party led by Rahul Gandhi, though reduced to a miniscule opposition, continues to make noise against the ongoing settlement process.
History alone is witness to the attitude of the Congress party towards the Naga National Movement. No matter what the leaders of the Congress party may say at the present juncture, their statement cannot erase the deeds of their Government from the pages of history. As the Leopard cannot change its spot, the Congress cannot change its position with regard to the Naga issue.
On Reconciliation and Unification off all Naga Groups
It is human nature to make mistakes, but very difficult for human beings to admit them. It is also human nature to bear grudges for wrongs, actual or perceived, and it is very difficult to fully forgive a wrong though admitted. Enmity persists in human society because of refusal to admit a mistake or wrong, or because of refusal to forgive a wrong though admitted. But there is also a higher nature in human beings which when attained makes insignificant the human failings. It is this noble quality that separates the great from the ordinary mortals. For the past many years, the Naga society has been ailing with the disease of petty mindedness. More than six decades ago, we started the journey as one united family, but along the way, our baser instincts took control of us leading to fragmentation of the family through bitter infighting. We have been found wanting in the area of the higher and nobler human qualities. Experience is the best teacher and the experience of the past should teach us to realize the noble qualities. It was the attainment of this higher quality that made Mr. Isak Chishi Swu utter the sincere appeal for forgiveness of past mistakes in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and thereby for reconciliation and unification of all groups. It is now for the leaders of the other groups to respond and their greatness or pettiness shall be measured by the nature of their response. Isak Chishi Swu, the great man, is no more with us and we are the poorer for his absence. It was heartening to see adversaries and friends come together at his funeral to bear witness to his greatness. May this be a sign of greater things to follow for the Naga Society!
Bendangangshi, Ex-MLA Ungma
