Joel Nillo Kath (Social activist)
How many times shall we bail them out? 70 times 7? Reconciliation, though on everyone’s lips its implementation is very difficult as the Naga political groups have shown themselves to be startlingly myopic. With all gratitude, atleast, FNR, despite the disillusionment still believes in the miracle that all political groups will reconcile because at this critical juncture, at stake is not just the “peace talks” but our ability to forge our own identity.
However, the ground reality is something else. To put it bluntly, for the assorted UG groups, their sense of history and freedom stops at the doorsteps of trade-hub Dimapur. For all their high talks of blood, sacrifice and tears, the NSCNs and NNCs have become provincial and petty in outlook. It becomes downright embarrassing when outsiders too realize that for these groups controlling Dimapur is akin to achieving sovereignty and this is visible in the never-ending factional fights despite the best efforts of civil society. For the NSCN (IM), installing ‘friendly’ governments in Nagaland, Arunachal and Manipur has been its primary policy in the last one decade and it was “allowed” a free run by the Indian government looking the other way until now. NSCN (IM), during this free-wheeling period of 14 odd years extracted the maximum but delivered none on the talk front. Now the Indian government smells blood.
The rebel group probably overestimated itself and in all possibility has shot itself in the foot in the aftermath of the recently concluded Manipur elections. If the much derided Ibobi comes back to power in Manipur, it will be a personal setback for strongman Th. Muivah after tacitly engaging in Indian constitutional elections. A victory for CM Ibobi will most certainly fuel India’s claim that the election result is a verdict against NSCN (IM), thereby reducing its political leverage causing irreparable damage to Naga cause. An already badly limping NSCN (IM) further crippled will create a domino effect paralyzing NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) and other allies piggy-backing on NSCN (IM) anticipating an imminent solution. Whatever the outcome of the elections, it is clear that the Naga UG groups do no longer have the strength or the political bargaining power to bring about an “honourable solution” to Indo-Naga conflict. The UGs are almost a spent force bringing frightening memories of Tamilian tragedy in Sri Lanka. This is where the public steps in to bail out its brothers for the umpteenth time. The “Naga Reconciliation Meeting” to be held on 29th Feb’, at Agri Expo’ Dimapur, has arrived at a most opportune moment in history when the Naga political groups are on the edge.
With almost 100,000 Nagas expected from all over Nagaland, Manipur, Arunachal, Assam and even Burma, the warring Naga political groups will seek peoples’ support or risk sinking into oblivion. It will be historic. Reinvigorated with fresh mandate given by the people, the Naga political groups will try to kick start its dialogue with the Indian government on equal footing. Ideally, such gatherings should send a clear cut message to all, including MHA and the PMO that the Naga nation is solidly behind the Naga political groups. However, it is doubtful if everyone can be fooled all the time. Political solution, sovereignty, Greater Autonomy, Unique History, etc., are opium-itic words keeping gullible Nagas in perpetual hope due to the high emotional context of these words but this will be the last time Naga people will bail them out. As for me, I’m tired of this bail sideshow.
