Dr. Kamei Sanjit Rongmei
Gwangphun Gangmei
While analytically considering the anthropological dimension (origin, culture & custom, evolution, physical affinity, lifestyle, social behaviour and norms etc,) of the Nagas and its historical facts and events, the genesis of Naga nationality is proven to have emerged from the perception of their distinct colour, physical structure, racial family relation as the Mongolian people and different from that of Indians. Since ages past up to the present, the Nagas remains a distinct people from India and have decided to remain so till human generation shall end.
It is a common saying that, an eaglet reared by a hen along her chicks remains an eagle no matter how caring and how hard the mother hen wants and try to change her eaglet-chick into a real chick or just like her. A leopard cannot change its skin nor an Ethiopians their race. The Nagas too felt that they are a people with their own unchangeable reality. This truth to them is the seed that give birth to Naga Nationalism. From this plain truth and perception, they believe the spirit of resisting the occupational outside forces gain power and the indomitable wills of the Nagas to be free from India was embedded in the minds of the Naga people.
To them the power that unites the Nagas to come together as a people and nation is the plan of God in His own season. It is not human power or wills that binds the Nagas but the wonder working power of the unseen shepherd tending back of the scattered Naga families to the common fold again. Against this uniting force, no force on earth however powerful that may work within or without can alter it. Viewed that a time will come when outside forces will be withdrawn from the Nagas’ land and the sunshine of freedom will reign on the Nagas again. India will understand that, just like them, Nagas will and must live as a free Nation. The longer they hold on the Nagas, the weaker and guilty they will sense, because the universal truth will prevails and work in their minds and the God of the Nation will interpose on their behalf. The Naga people felt that the beginning of the final realisation has come for the Nagas to unite their forces with the divine power. The current stage of seeming disintegration manifested by factional fragmentations among the Nagas are considered to be the sign of the final count-down of the Nagas Freedom; the last fight or the final blow on the Nagas.
Notwithstanding the facts and threats of factional divisions, hitting the Nagas today, the vision and the right to self-determination will and must prevail in the hearts of the Nagas. Hearing from the living elderly Naga persons’ oral confession of their aspirations proved beyond doubt that Nagas will fight for their right and freedom till the last drop of their blood fall on their land.
While retrospecting some of the past events to see if there be good left unearthed. Reasoned that, the so called, road block Shilong Accord of 1975 can be viewed as the necessary silly accord or disguised blessing. Observed that, there is no better term or definition that can be drawn out of the so much blamed about, or condemned Accord other then that the accord was termed as sell out of the Nagas rights. However, viewed that, something good and positive can also be extracted out of the dead body (Shilong Accord)?. Out of the brave action of Samson, honey is drawn out of the dead lion: extraction of thought from the Bible. It can be considered good to accept that God in his own time and for the good of the Nagas allowed the accord to happen so as the Nagas may stand upright and steadfast. Responded, What is actually in the accord? The accord can be called by any other name negatively or also positively but the truth remains the same. “If silly things were not done, intelligent things would not have happen”. Viewed that the famous accord that divided the Naga National workers must be the steppingstone that makes the Nagas to come these far despites the hurts, pains, deaths and losses. The Nagas have experienced bitter war among themselves in the name of the Naga nation. Taken into consideration that the Shilong accord was the seed of factional war and the beginning of confusions for the Naga people. The other positive aspect of the event can be taken as God’s intervention for peace and protection from the genocide that could have happen. If the accord is taken as the blame point or reason for creation of many bloody factions, what action or output can be truly be the way out that is acceptable for all the Nagas? Proposed that the accord be taken as an act inadvertently committed that has misled many to wrong doings. What is needed today is realisation of the past mistakes and misdeeds and the present essentiality to forgive the wrongs done to each other for and in the interest of the nation.
Opined that the Nagas should sincerely reconcile with God and then with each other in the true spirit of submission, repentant and renewing of hope. It is pertinent to realize that the Nagas are marching onto the final stage of struggle to resolve the prolonged conflicting situation. Let the Nagas disarm themselves of factional blaming, claiming or counter claiming of rights or legitimacy over the Naga National legacy and regenerate a new chapter of understanding, unity and solidarity culminating to form a better and accommodative movement; a movement of mass renaissance from era of ignorance, arrogance, hostility and impatience into era of humanity, tolerance, forgiving and understanding each others as imperfect and liable human being.
(The above extraction is reproduced from the Free talk interviewed taken with the Naga national leaders and workers during the Researching field work, March 2012. For any query, readers may kindly feel free to talk to the concerned writers through the given Nos. 9612848686 & 9856294881)
