Can the FNR craft Peace in boisterous Nagas just by imploring? Can a Hare tell the Tiger not to kill Sheep? Will the Lion listen to the Lamb’s pleading for Peace? Yes, only as long as it is advantageous to the Beast of Prey! I do not know for sure how Nagas look at it, but to my fallible perception, Peace can not come to the Armed Groups in Nagaland peacefully from the FNR just ‘imploring’ peace with them. Peace can come only when there is a real intension for Peace in the Leaders otherwise Peace must be forced on them. This intension for Peace is a commitment and an honest hard quality of Head & Heart in the Leaders.
In Reality, as I see it and if I see it, there is no such real hard honesty for Peace in the Leaders. They pronounce Peace only because the FNR prays for them. They say it with their mouth, sign the Paper with their intelligent fingers and their worldly wise Heads but not with their Hearts. They are either insincere and not honest enough about their signatures. To speak unkindly; the Leaders do not seem to have these qualities of courage.
Do the Nagas believe the Parties really mean Peace in their hearts? I foolishly think the Parties say ‘Peace’ only when they perceive it would serve their own Group’s interest. In naked unrefined language, this is called Self Interest and all Self Interests in Groups or in the People ends in unhappiness. This is how it is often with us Homo sapiens. Peace comes only when one looks at the Interests of our Rivals also in magnanimity, not just in how to defeat them only.
Very simply but unfortunately, the Groups can not bring Peace because they cannot abandon their dear present Live Styles–Jeans, Nike Shoes and motorbikes for the Conscripts, -Cars for the next Higher Ups, -RCC Building for the next higher; then Bolero, RCC Building and Posh Schools too for their sons and daughters in Delhi, Mumbai or Kodaikanal etc, and not only these but also ‘Mud floor to Marble floor’ Mansions in Dimapur, chauffeured Car of the latest Mitsubishi Models and perhaps a Foreign Account Book too for those at the Top. From where will they get Peace from all these worldly cares?
None of the Groups, from the lowest to the highest, can escape this Continent. Lo, this is the Continent of Circe and it is why the Groups cannot abandon it. They will give their lives for this in spite of the FNR. The present tentative Peace is good business. Their Cottage Industry needs Head Quarters, in Hebron, in Athibung, Zunheboto, Mon or somewhere in Dimapur Sub-Jail area and of course in the various Check Gates, the Brick Kilns, Petrol Stations, Manipur Trucks carrying essential goods for the people, down to the last tiny Ghumti shop impossibly wedged between two big Buildings in the City.
This is the reality of Nagaland today.
It is embarrassing and unrefined to talk like this in the public. Only indecent people like this Writer would hang out such dirty linens in public. But this is the naked Reality of Nagaland. Poor FNR, the ceiling hits its Heads if it stands up and the mud spoils its Pant if it sits! There is no fighting or killings among the Naga civilians: all are in nice Christian Camaraderie, having Sekrenyi, Tuluni, Tsüngremong, Hornbill Festivals, Jubilees, Centenaries, Faith Healing Crusades and Government Road
Shows galore. Even people from thousands of Miles off in Thiruvanandapuram have their Oinam festival in great frolics in Nagaland. All are interested only in getting rich and not in killings; except that the ENPO wants to opt out of Nagaland and merge with NEFA, the Zeliangrongs, now quiet at their Union Territory, the UNC Manipur busy at Alternative Arrangement in Manipur and the Nagas of Burma testing their Ground with the Burmese Government.
It is only in Nagaland that the violent armed Groups are killing each others and spoil the whole peaceful Christian atmosphere of Nagaland. Somebody must FORCE Peace in the feuding armed Groups in Nagaland.
Thepfulhouvi Solo
