I regret being unable to show solidarity with my fellow Nagas at the protests yesterday but I felt elated to see the picture of an ACAUT leader standing alone facing water cannons a. I am very glad this happened or rather this picture was taken. To people it may seem a sad commentary on the lack of willingness of the masses to step out of their comfort zone to participate in change. Let us remember during this season of hope that symbols like this are the beginning of something greater than the reality that the picture seems to represent or even the limited goals of the movement in the first place. To me what started as a protest against a limited agenda could lead to much greater change if the leaders of the ACAUT are wise in their leadership. My only request is please refrain from falling into the various traps that will come your way in form of division and other distractions. People don’t need me to spell out what these distractions will be but every right thinking person knows what they are. Nevertheless let us remember it was pictures/symbols like this that sparked of movements far beyond the limited agendas they were begun. Regardless of the outcome “The Standing man” of Gezi park which started as a movement to protect a park went beyond the initial goals and earlier the lone man facing Tanks in Tiananmen Square brought changes that transformed the world. So a plea from a nobody unable to be there please do not take bail tomorrow. We will spend many Christmases together in our lives but chances like these are once in a life time. Let not missing comfort for a cause deter the leaders of the ACAUT as this could be a pivotal moment in the fight against State corruption. Kuknalim.
AoTemjen Jamir, Dimapur.
