The prevailing climate of mistrust and tension as witnessed in several related incidents in the past few weeks in Nagaland does not augur well for harmony and peaceful coexistence among the different socio-tribal identities. It is somewhat disturbing and something which the State government must take immediate note of which is that many of our social tension arise out of disputes over land and resources, the latest being the proposed State Road Show at Pungro. This had to be cancelled in the last minute by the government because of misunderstanding among tribal groups over the status of a particular land. Reports of communal tension and violence erupting is all the more of serious concern more so at a time when the Naga public irrespective of political creed, ism or other differences have been encouraging the path of nonviolence, peace and reconciliation among the warring Naga national groups. Today after years of bloodshed and cruel enmity and after much tireless effort from everyone concerned, there is comparative peace in our land. However it will take only one misstep to spark the flames of division and thereby all the good work done to restore peace would have come to nothing. As such the current problem being witnessed over Pungro and the Road Show must not be allowed to fester into violence or mob justice. All stakeholders must exercise restrain. The public leaders, villagers and the respective MLAs representing the area must show maturity and foresight to work together in defusing the immediate problem. The Eastern Nagaland Peoples Organization (ENPO) will also be called to use its diplomatic skills and restore goodwill among its constituent units. For Nagas, the need of the hour is harmony and peaceful coexistence.
For the long term, it will be wise for an appropriate platform to address the plethora of disputes related to land. Recently we saw tension along the Mokokchung-Longleng inter-district boundary. Similarly Tobu issue between two tribal body remains. Like the Pungro Road Show, a similar situation arose a few years back when the apex tribal body of the Changs, the CKS decided to boycott Independence Day celebration in Tuensang following the decision of the State Cabinet to approve the inauguration of a DIS office at Tobu. In fact the Tobu land dispute had become a trigger point for tribal conflict claiming many innocent lives. Then we have the unresolved boundary question between Dimapur and Peren district which has led to several acrimony among tribal and even national groups. There is other bone of contention over land and resources. It is not that the government of the day is not doing anything. However more serious attention will have to be given in solving the issues/disputes permanently through a more concerted effort. And by tradition since land system is unique among the Nagas, disputes can hardly be resolved by the government. The State government should also be more cautious so that it does not get itself involved in more controversy. Rather it can help in creating a positive environment for conflicting parties to come to understanding. Earlier there had been suggestions that the government can facilitate formation of citizen groups consisting of the conflicting parties in the area. Once such a modality is put into place in all the disputed areas, they should be encouraged to initiate dialogue in a spirit of give and take and to resolve all issues once and for all through peaceful means.
