Some of those who voted YES had this to say:
• Yes, we are all so fond of picking up only the differences. Sometimes we even start creating differences out of nothing when there are no differences in the first place. Even when something starts for a good thing, we try to make differences out of it. The tribal mentality is very strong along with the India policy of divide and rule.
• Yes. There is a strong ideological divide. Even on the women reservation issue, the Nagas are divided. Also Nagas of Nagaland think that they are the only Nagas. This obviously is false. The majority of the Naga population lives outside Nagaland. These differences overshadow our commonalities.
• Yes, Lack of positive ideas, negative ideas bring destruction
• Some so-called Naga elders, using the political or ignorant ideology, are manipulating some of our younger people to go to the street, for their selfish ends, including those usual old fanatic writers who provoke even more turmoil in the name of Christianity, nationalism or democracy in our state. The story is more like LET THE RAT FIGHT WITH THE ELEPHANT AND DIE HONORABLY. Dear brothers and sisters lets not be fooled by these idiots and fight for our rights in the proper legal way to keep our Naga identity and follow the perception of the global world.
• Yes. It is a fair observation. Naga people have many commonalities, but we keep focusing only on our differences. Let us not forget that Nagas consist of many villages and many tribes. It is unity in diversity. We cannot and should not expect Nagas to be the same. We have become too Indian.
• Yes, when we do not even know our own history what do you expect.
• Yes in the present situation there is going to be more and more confusion, and people will blame each other more and more. There is going to be more chaos. People will point out the differences more and more. Very sad situation. Government of India must be having a good laugh.
Some of those who voted NO had this to say:
• No. Its because we have bad and selfish leaders.
• Not really because against all odds we Nagas have kept the Naga flag flying high. There are so many divisive forces that are trying to destroy us, but we have prevailed against a might force.
• No. Rather, it is selfishness and -ism at its height. Nagas have to wait and fight for another fifty years among themselves and negotiate another 20 years more to come to a common goal.
Some of those who voted OTHERS had this to say:
• There was a time when all Naga organisations came together and worked on building upon the commonalities. This was particularly the case before the 1997 ceasefire between GOI and NSCN-IM. During those days the people were must more alert and aware. The ceasefire seems to have had an adverse effect upon the population. Today the youngsters dont even know their history. They dont even know that the peaceful situation is because of the ceasefire. They have failed to appreciate how fortunate they are that this is ceasefire period. Alas, their ignorance is only creating more divisions.
• This question has been very bluntly put, but it has hit the nail on the head. Many Nagas may say that there is no ideological divide. There is a lot of denial in our society.
