God keeps me alive and in good health at the age of 95 years. I am in the age of exhorting the youngsters, guiding them to the truth, praying for them and rebuking them if there is wrong. I have to share my experiences and concern with the people with real love and sincerity.
ABOUT NAGA POLITICS In the beginning there was Naga Club and later it became Naga National Council. When Zapuphizo (A.Z. Phizo) became the President of NNC, he pleaded for independence. Rev. Longri Ao said that when some ones said that the Nagas should be in Indian Union, Phizo cried like a child. The initiative of Phizo led the Nagas to the movement for full independence. He said that the Government of India offered Rs 10,000/- for his head.
Before the Federal Government was set up, when I heard that the Head Quarter of NNC was at Khonoma village, for the first time I made up my mind to go to that village to know about NNC and I went there. When I went to the village, all suspected me to be a C.I.D. A man said, “If you are a CID, your whole head is your mouth.” Even at Kohima Town they were said to have told the people that I was a CID.
After that I had a meeting with my village Rüsoma and my village decided to donate Rs 1000/- to NNC. When some of my villagers went to Khonoma with the donation, the villagers were surprised and most of the elders who came to the meeting had apologized to me.
In 1953 – 55, there was a Naga High School with Lungshim Shaiza as the Principal and Vizol as the Vice – Principal. I too taught in lower section. During that time Co – operation was started by some leaders of NNC and I wrote a hand bill against it. I was arrested and was in jail for three months in 1956.
I was the President of Angami Tribal Council in 1958. In 1959 I was a delegate of Angami to the Naga People’s Convention meeting held at Mokokchung in which the historic 16 points Agreement was put to vote and I was the lone delegate who voted against it.
In 1963 when I was the Caretaker of War Graves Cemetery at Digboi under Samuel Mezhür, I was insisted to be a candidate of Northern Angami - II in Democratic Party. I was resolute not to contest, but I could not escape and contested. But without canvassing not to speak of in other villages but even in my own village. But the 12 Democratic Party MLAs had resigned en – masse in support of the peace talk between the GoI and the FGN in the same year. Unexpectedly I joined Church Ministry in 1966. In 1974 I was the Secretary of the newly formed Nagaland Peace Council appointed by NBCC. We attempted to restore the abrogated Ceasefire between the GoI and FGN and met with the Nagaland Governor, Union Ministers and even Phizo but could not be successful.
Uncle Phizo in response to my letter, he flew to Lausanne where we could have had ample time of discussion. We told him that sooner or later, the underground National Workers would be eliminated. So the Nagas better accept the Peace Mission Proposal which said, “To accept the Union of India on their own volition.” He did not respond. After that year I resigned the Secretaryship.
As a pre – emptive measure, I wrote to several Federal and NNC leaders suggesting that the remnant underground men should come out individually to avoid surrendering of the FGN. Unfortunately the Shillong Accord was signed. But I did not blame the Signatories.
After more than 30 years, peace talk of the same level between the GoI and the FGN was resumed between the GoI and the NSCN (I–M) and since 1997 – 2016, the peace talk between the GoI and the NSCN has been going on without conclusion. It is clear that no Group is to blame another except to get together as one. It is not logical or rational to blame one another.
Now NNC has several groups and NSCN also has several groups. The world knows it and the Government of India knows it better. So the more settlement is delayed, the worse will be for the Nagas and the better for the GoI. So tendency for delaying tactics cannot be ruled out.
Candidly speaking I personally have found that once NSCN (I–M) was misguided to excessiveness by their wrong concept, “Politics and humanity are different.” But next to Phizo Th. Muivah is the most capable leader in the Naga National Movement. But I do not know why they have isolated themselves from the general public as if what they are doing are for themselves and not for the general public as a result there has been communication gap between them and the general public and it is a matter of fact that to a great extent the general public do not have sense of belonging. In 1964 when a Secretary Gundevia and the Federal leaders had talk at Chedema Peace Camp, the proceeding of every meeting was produced in cyclostyled paper. It made the general public to have sense of belonging and they were regarded as their real leaders. But our NSCN leaders have been keeping everything for themselves in their talks with the GoI for nearly two decades. The most important thing is to build up and to maintain public relationship but it is taken as secondary.
Regarding the Accord of Framework for settlement, the substance under the cover of the accord is not made known to the people despite the general public are very eager to know. Even Rahul Gandhi said that blank cheque cannot be given remark. Whatever thing is done, we have confidence that the spokesmen of the people have done it out of their best possible and capable effort. If I am opposed to it, can I do better? No need to be afraid of opposition for anything done out of sincere love for the people.
Sentiment of Tribalism, sectarianism and selfishness should not be allowed to prevail. We are not proud of our forefathers and mothers. We are not proud of our cultures. We are not proud of our pioneer leaders. We are not proud of our past achievements if there is any. We are not proud of ourselves, our families, our organizations, our villages, our tribe (once I was). We are not proud of our race or community. We are not proud of our country and the world. We are proud of our Creator God and Lord only. Our God alone is to be honoured and trusted and our heart should be fully yielded to Him. He only be given praises and glory. He only be feared and loved.
Our Creator alone is the Life. The flow of all good things from Him to be showered on our people should not be hampered by doing anything against His will.
Rev L Suohie Mhasi
