The 21st NPMHR’s Morung Dialogue series examines different narratives, observes ‘Onae Reh Dah’
Dimapur, July 11 (MExN): The Naga Peoples Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR) Delhi conducted its 21st Morung Dialogue on the theme ‘One History: Many Stories’ via Zoom on July 9.
The 21st edition was held as a “tribute to ‘Onae Reh Dah’, the Great Battle of Oinam that continues to both tear and bind us” and Dr PS Lorin, the first Convenor of NPMHR, “a person who is a beautiful story in the tapestry of the Naga narrative,” informed a press release from NPMHR Delhi.
Chairperson, Ayo Jajo Aier, Principal, Charis High Academy, Dimapur opened the session by throwing light on the case of the ‘Great Battle of Oinam’ and noted that the incident continue to “haunt the common conscious.”
She further pointed out that while the High Court of Manipur on June 13, 2019 has passed an order stating that Home Secretary, Government of Manipur should constitute a committee within a period of three months from the date of order to “ into all allegation, complaints and atrocities that was listed,” the latter is yet to do the same.
Accordingly, a contempt petition filed by the NPMHR is still pending in the High Court, she said. Aier also recounted the life of educationist and activist, Late Dr PS Lorin, who among others was an “inspiration to the Nagas in the pursuit of just peace and self-determination.”
Associate Professor, University of Delhi and author of the book ‘Waiting for the Dust to Settle’ Dr Veio Pou recounted how “ordinary citizens were affected by Operation Bluebird and July 9 is a landmark day for the Nagas.”
His aforesaid novel was to give voice to the ordinary citizens and the need for voices to emerge, he said.
The Nagas have multiple stories that can contribute to the Naga story and these everyday experiences of lesser known people who are affected by the movement need to be documented, he opined.
Nagas are fed by a single narrative and the same story is told differently in other regions where different groups dominate and the Nagas are still not ready to listen to one another and are not listening to people who were part of the movement, he added.
Dr Pou, quoting Naga anthropologist Dolly Kikon’s view on silencing of women’s narrative in the whole Naga movement, said that “‘women are reduced to anonymity’ and their identities are silenced to ‘nameless soldier/wife’, even though they have sacrificed their blood and life for a common cause.”
"Unless the Nagas are able to weave this small narrative to emerge in the scene we will not be able to see the larger picture,” he stressed.
He also lamented that for too long, the Nagas have enforced the idea of one history and one story, and this has impacted the society adversely.
“And this could be one of the causes for the birth of factionalism, killing and bloodshed within the Naga society,” he averred.
James Wanglat, former Home Minister, Supply, Transport and Aviation, Arunachal Pradesh and Convenor of Naga Hoho in the state opined that the leaders should be willing to place the need of others above oneself as exemplified by leaders like late Dr Lorin.
According to him, the Oinam incident was a “calculated violation of human rights and a sad day in the history of Indian democracy.”
He also lamented the press statement of the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) that ‘there are no Nagas in Arunachal Pradesh as claimed by NSCN (IM)’ and published in various national newspapers and online portals.
Wanglat maintained that the AAPSU was well aware of the presence of the Nagas and even participated in its conference ‘Weaving Vision’ which was held in Itanagar on March 2-3, 2001.
He also pointed out the Arunachal government has derecognised the Naga people from the list of Scheduled Tribes the state and are now only recognised as individual separate tribes.
With regards to the issue of violation of human rights, Wanglat detailed that the Nagas in Arunachal have faced the same atrocities experienced by the Nagas located in different geographical regions and said that “atrocities committed by government agencies from 1996 to 2019 are “well documented.”
He also pointed out that Operation Hurricane was removed from Naga areas on August 7, 2002 when he was the Home Minister and a motion was moved in Arunachal Pradesh Assembly for the repealing of the draconian law known as the ‘Arunachal Pradesh Control of Organized Crime’, on 19th August 2002.
‘What we need most today is not to pick up the misfortune of the past...we are on the crossroad and the Nagas must learned to live together as one people, one nation under one umbrella,” Wanglat said.
Kegwayhen Tep, President of the Naga Students’ Federation dwelled on the challenges and aspirations of the youth and compared the situation to Charles Dickens’ “...best of times... worst of times...” narratives.
He stressed on the need for Naga leaders to “clean our mirror to have a clearer vision towards a Naga cause for self-determination” but noted that lot of issues are creating disunity among the Nagas.
"It is not just the artificial political boundaries but the also the self-centredness of Naga leaders, as a result of which the Naga society have paid a heavy prize through the blood and martyrdom of the sons and daughters of the soil,” he said.
But the aspiration and hope are strengthened by such sacrifices and the youth will remain grateful for the supreme sacrifices, Tep said, saying that the “bloodshed and tears of Oinam will continue to inspire generations to come.”
Meanwhile, he cautioned that the Naga society is on the “verge of self-destruction as a result of tribalism, regionalism and factionalism which have destroyed the credibility of the people.”
“There is only one Naga and we cannot afford to further divide ourselves today,” he said and underscored the big role of Naga intellectuals, seniors and young leaders.
He cautioned that the Naga national movement is losing impetus due to “polarised camps and factional groups thereby threatening the very fabric of our existence today.”
“And in order to unite the society, the Nagas should come out from tribal cocoons,” the NSF President said, further asserting that the “most challenging tasks today is to defend our people not only from outside forces but from the narrow mindedness of our people.”
“The way forward is to revive the consciousness of the young generation on our common ancestry and common welfare, and educating the youth about the ethos, struggle and collective aspiration of our people which our elders and visionary leaders have stood for,” he added.
The series organised by NPHMR, Delhi since 2014 ended with one-minute of silent prayer was observed in memory of the people of Oinam Rae and late Dr Lorin.
