Morung Express News
Mokokchung | October 18
Nagaland Minister of School Education, SCERT, S&T, IT and Technical Education Imkong L.Imchen today while speaking at the “Traditional Friendship” day between Dobashis of Mokokchung and Tuensang districts at Mokokchung Deputy Commissioner’s official residence defined the Dobashis as the “guardians of customary law” and as “judiciary officers.” With that virtue, he regarded the Dobashis as endowed with “judicial and executive powers.” He exhorted the “guardians of customary law of the districts of Mokokchung and Tuensang” to uphold their “traditional friendship” or “Akangjungshi” in speech and in action, during good and bad days, during times of adversities. “Office and dignity of Dobashi should be respected and preserved,” he said. He also cited Article 371 (A) and its provision for Naga customary law and its practices. While extending admiration for the “traditional friendship” arrived at between Mokokchung and Tuensang, he lamented that the two districts alone do not comprise Nagaland and encouraged the Dobashis to extend the bond of traditional friendship to the rest of Nagaland.
Bringing to the fore the underpinnings of his speech, Imchen said present day “gun culture” is just the same as the head-hunting culture during pre-Christian era. “There are ceasefire agreements with India, but not amongst Nagas… Ceasefire with Government of India does not mean that it is a license for the Nagas to kill among themselves,” he expressed with anguish. The 60 MLAs, leaders elected by the people in their office of five years does not pass without being warned and threatened by “them,” he said. “What kind of a Nagaland, what shape of Nagaland do they want to make after threatening all the leaders?” he questioned, “they” referred to here being the “underground factions” in his words. He alleged that “they” perpetuate fear psychosis and use it as a weapon to silence freedom of speech. “So many learned people of wisdom are refusing to speak out of fear. Some speak, and they are warned.” He alleged that even those who write in the newspapers are being warned.
He argued that guns silencing freedom of speech during struggle for freedom and human liberation never occurred through out history except in Nagaland. He was of the view that Naga movement is “misdirected and in the wrong path” and added that Nagas should change course. He regretted that any peace effort initiated by anybody is being “threatened by them” and wondered if peace initiatives should be left to the animals. He said that there is no meaning of human society and civilization if everybody wanted to take law in their hands. He reiterated that he is with the GBs and DBs in their effort to create “the right atmosphere.” “Since day one, I for one support the peaceful movement.”
“Today, my speech will appear in the newspaper. Tomorrow, I will get a warning from them,” he assumed. He then challenged the Nagas to continue to work for peace and unity, regardless of being threatened or not. He expressed deep satisfaction of two districts unifying, and advised them to win the confidence and trust of the rest of the districts. “We are against nobody. Let the Almighty God give His blessings in your unity. Let today’s bond turn to an eternal friendship,” he prayed, and quoted a Bible verse, “Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be called children of God.”
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