Kedi Haralu
Christmas always has a nostalgic effect on every soul, be him young or old, for it is a time for feasting and well wishing. All hum bug characters also seem to have changed their attitude and have started to enjoy the winter holidays, for life in this age and time has become very hectic and unpredictable. Natural calamities tyoo seem to have increased and the crime rate has shot up to a point where every family man needs to arm himself with a weapon, or surveillance cameras or guard dogs, for even the Police are enjoying the holiday season too. The time of forgiveness and giving is now, and due to this every person is in a jovial, mission accomplished mood. Nagaland too has changed within these few months and the Government has achieved various milestones and also two repeated Coup’s by those MLA’s who are never satisfied. But the Neiphiu Rio led Government has survived another season of winters, thus gearing up to come back to power in the coming Assembly elections of 2008. Although elections are never predictable, the weighs on the present Governments side is tilted, due to various reasons, one important factor being, the people of Nagaland now seem to feel that they too are involved in the political change, thus labeled correctly as “the people’s Government.” This Christmas will be a memorable one, for it is a season of predictions and fore say. But only will the time bring the real answers to all our unanswered questions.
The year can be classified into three stages: first, time for peace and reconciliation, secondly, the period of political instability, due to politicking by unsatisfied politicians and lastly i.e. the period of encroachment in a large scale. The Intangki Reserve forest, rich in mineral recourses has become a hotspot for land encroachers in wholesale. Imagine, enemies are willing to unite and let bygones be bygones due to the greed for Intangki. Anyways, if this an opportunity and an avenue to unite under one banner, good for them, but at who’s expense?
1. Peace and Reconciliation and Infrastructural Development: this year, Nagas has seen some development, where the peace talks were concerned, and though there has been numerous set backs, the Center has been rather forthcoming and honest. The Streets are cleaner, and the roads are mostly repaired and blacktopped. The most significant for the people of Peren District is the soiling and metalliung of the short cut to Jalukie, via Kopanallah - Shukovi ARTC - Kiyevi B – Mhainamtsi –Jalukie. All recognition and praise needs to be given to the Nagaland MP in the Rajya Sabha, who managed to get fun-dings for the improvement of the road which has seen the downfall of two ruling MLA’s. All praise also should be given to Minister for PWD (National Highways) and Roads and Bridges. His priority in seeing the road fully completed at the earliest has to be lauded. The long pending peace initiative has seen its ups and downs, with the Central Government giving much recognition to the Underground Factions, unlike the other years, where all peace talks ended in a stalemate. Although the issue of Nagalim is never a possibility, for other neighboring states will not part with an inch of their land without a confrontation. Nagas are not royalty nor are we superior and special, for us to get everything our way, our leaders, both in the underground and over ground needs to realize this. It is time to be more realistic, and leave aside our patriotic ideologies and start focusing in the reality of life and its actuality. Anyways Nagas have taken a quantum leap in other sectors, especially the Agricultural and computerization sector. Nagaland has become more politically conscious and are more attuned to the latest invention and innovative ideas. In other words, we have not been left behind.
2. Political instability: This year, the Nagas saw two attempted Coups, due to dissension in the lower ranks of the Legislative assembly. Some had wisely joined back with the ruling Government, thus being given a bigger opportunity, but some were too proud to return to the mother-fold, since the word “sorry” does not figure in their dictionary. Anyways, it was not the MLA who has been effected, but it is the Constituency from where the MLA’s hail from have suffered complete neglect and have not been a part of the developmental activities, taking place in the other Constituency. It is something like South and North Korea and East and West Germany. The public too have become so fed up of the immature attitude of some legislators and this is the reason why even getting a National Party or Regional Party Ticket will be given to them. The day they had revolted, they had committed political suicide. The time given to them as their grace period has expired and it is their own fault, for listening to wrong advice from Advisors who are as immature as the Legislators. Political Instability in the Government will continue, until there is a quick election, for then, the public can give their verdict, once and for all and also at the earliest.
3. Intangki Reserve Forest: The greed for land has seen numerous scenarios, but what takes the cake is the unification move. Every right thinking Nagas know that Unification is just because of our human greed for land and the resources it provides, be it in Natural Gases, gem stones, Petroleum and 1st grade wood products. Plus the soil is so fertile, that anything planted grows beyond proportion, which is why the Intangki Forest is the centre of attraction. Some say that it is a “No Man’s” land, and thus have every right to encroach and grab land in the forest, but the actual facts are clearly written and even pre-independence survey maps clearly depict the area which has been there and there is no mention of another tribe, apart from the Dimasha’s and Karbi’s. The Dimasha’s are now using the backing given by gun toting land encroaches in the name of Nationhood, but do they realize that one day, they too will be in front of the barrel of these gun totting hooligans. It is going to be a long fight, but in the end, as usual, truth will prevail. The punishment for encroachment is always “Cancer” (All earlier leaders involved in encroaching activities have died of Cancer, and for the respect of the family and tribe, I take no names). For one thing I am sure, Intangki Forest will be the building of our Nationhood but it can also be our Downfall and Destruction.
In Conclusion, this season of thanksgiving will be a time for the truthful and the honest and that all dishonest and lying individuals will be given “divine” punishment. Although we forgive all encroachers during this season, those who are continuously breaking the law of the land, will be the ones to suffer. Nagaland has seen a fruitful year and also a sad and unfortunate year. Fruitful, being the development of various sectors and unfortunate due to political Instability and land encroachment. It is time we looked at the future in a more honest and practcle manner and also be more generous instead of being self indulgent and doing things for selfish gains. We should realize that Nagaland will never frorge ahead without each and every Naga are contributing positively in one way or the other. Let 2008 be a different, more positive year and also let this coming elections elect leaders who are generous, educated and committed to the people who have elected them to power. The past mistakes should be a lesson for each and everyone of us, and thus we should never repeat the same mistakes, ever again.
