Kailong Leinong
MA International Relations, North East Christian University
The Naga public is in dilemma due to new development that is taking place among the NPGs (Naga political groups). Since the 1988s the spirit of divisive ideology was born in our kitchen which led to destroy our unity for 75th years. The evil spirit still remains in many of the leaders today. We promote division rather than unity and the word ‘reconciliation’ seems to be the most difficult task to leaders as no one wants to compromise. Everyone believes in their theory and sees only egocentric within the leaders.
When we look back at our history, our leaders started then Naga National Movement in good spirit where we witnesses the humble beginning amongst them in order to protect and preserve our unique cultural identity. However, in today’s present context, the humbleness is lacking amongst the society. We consider our land as a holy land with Christian spirit (Nagaland for Christ) but in reality it’s just a terminology. There is no practicality. Instead, we hardly see any peace and unity in this beautiful blessed land. In fact, it is full of betrayal, division and bloodshed where there is no harmony and peaceful. We must learn a lesson from the past history of how our pioneers had given us their precious lives for the common cause. We had lost many precious innocent lives and many who sacrificed for the nation were still lying in the deep forest untraceable.
When we look at the current scenario, we hardly see any people with true Christian spirit who have the grit of “forgive and forget’’ attitude. It is very hard for our leaders. If we engaged too much on domestic issues we may end up missing the common aspirations that everyone yearns for. We had lost many young and old noble souls in the last 7th decades because of the fratricidal killings as we killed our own brother and sisters rather than with the enemies. We even betrayed our own families for the sake of self-interest.
Nagas also have an identity dilemma. Today, Nagas are scattered in two different countries which many young people may not be even aware of. That is, India and Myanmar. The world is looking at Naga as one but when it comes to our state we are deeply divided into many pieces among ourselves. In today’s time it is very sad to see that everything seems to be divided amongst ourselves accept our history and culture remains.
Let us ask a simple pertinent question to ourselves. How did we start and why did we start our Naga National movement and for whom did we start?
Is it we started our Naga Nationalism for internal or external problems?
What is our main objectives and interest?
Do we really concern for our future using the same tools and what are the criteria should we be added to?
We have no doubt that Nagas are one and that “oneness” is shown through our unique culture and history and our political stands. Though we have different administration, our history reminds us that Nagas are one people and one nation and we have a common destination but what is lacking among the Leaders is that the unity which is why the young people and the general public is in dilemma at this juncture. This feeling of oneness is hardly seen in Naga society.
The role played by the tribal community and civil society organizations in political issues is limited. Instead, they promote the ism than the common interest even at the grassroots level. There is no unity in our society which may further lead to making our problems even more complicated. Everywhere we see and read about peace and unity but in reality, there’s no such thing taking place in our society. In the eyes of the Naga people we are one and there is no such thing as East, West or South Nagas. Nagas are one but due to our internal problem, our society is further divided into many pieces.
However, it is never too late to once again come together and reconcile to live together in harmony if we want to achieve our common aspirations.
We must learn that “unity is strength”. And thus I will end up with an adage that says, “United we stand and divided we fall”.
