SC Jamir
The third of August 2015 marks another important milestone in the long and tortuous struggle of the Nagas for an honourable settlement of the vexed Naga political problem. The peace Accord between the NSCN (IM) and the Government of India signed in the presence of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister was received with a sense of cautious optimism by all sections of people in the State. Up to date, the signatories of the accord have not shared the contents of the framework to the people of Nagaland and this had led to doubts and confusion. Time has come to take the people of Nagaland into confidence and spell out the details of the framework and what lies ahead. There should be no ambiguity whatsoever in an agreement which promises to bring to an end decades of violence and bloodsheds.
It is obvious that a political accord signed in the presence of the Prime Minister cannot be outside the ambit of the Constitution of India. This, however, needs to be stated unequivocally by the Government of India for the benefit of all underground factions and the Naga people at large. In addition, the contours of the framework agreement and the fine print of a final solution package should be discussed with and endorsed by representatives of all Naga tribes and the underground factions. In a democratic polity like ours, nothing should be done without the knowledge and consent of the people while deciding their political future. The mistakes of the past should not be repeated this time around. An agreement for a final settlement should also entail a just and fair resettlement package for the UGs and their integration into the mainstream of the society.
Nitty-Grity of Naga Politics.
Uniqueness of Naga history:-
The dream in the heart of every Naga is for a better future. Their desire and pursuit is to achieve this dream. And for this, Naga people on their own volition gave their mandate to the original NNC through a plebiscite. Ironically, at present,, all the factions of the underground are claiming the ownership of the same, this historical fact should be accepted ungrudgingly by all. Nagas are also a part and parcel of the human community and as human beings of all ages, genders, nationalities and ethnic groups, they, too are in search for a purpose and significance life. They are also in search for an identity of their own and significance in human society. The quest for a unique, optimally developed and respectable self-identity is one of the basic pursuits of any evolved person, community or a nation. As distinctive people, a cohesive tribe and a flourishing human community with a glorious long and cherish history and prolific cultural heritage, the Nagas too have the fundamental right to protect, preserve and promote their inalienable social, political and cultural endowment and to nurture and realize their unique socio-economic dreams and genuine political aspirations.
March With Times.
The Nagas cannot afford to undermine the changes that are taking place in the World. They have to live and march with the times. It is common parlance that “Change is the only constant in the universe. “All great thinkers, philosophers and visionaries of the past have explored, cogitated and eloquently expounded on the inexorable forces of change that impinge on all spheres of human and natural environment with the ceaseless passage of time. The mighty mountains are ground to dust over time, powerful empires have risen and fallen, civilizations flourished and floundered. Societies learn and mature and humanity as a whole perpetually evolves and incessantly progresses. The frontiers of our scientific knowledge, technological expertise, socio and cultural attainments, philosophies and arts are constantly pushed further and further as the human race breaches new and hitherto unknown barriers of physical, mental and intellectual progress. Our knowledge, ideas, thinking, attitudes and outlook are reoriented, reshaped, reenergized and refresh in consonance with the changing times.
History bears testimony to the fact that any individual, organization, group, society, empire or philosophy that attempted to ignore, resist or block these progressive and powerful forces of change, has itself been reduced to the dust.. Communities and nations have succeeded and attained greatness, not by stonewalling progress and positive changes sweeping their social, political and economic spheres, but appropriately adopting, remodelling and recognizing their activities, attitudes and mindset to be in perfect tune with the rhythm of the changing times.
The great and pivotal lesson to be learnt here is that change does not mean submergence, tuning with modernity does not imply inundation and progress does not mean the death of the unique identity. On the contrary, change is synonymous with positive reorientation, intelligent reassessment, cogent revaluation and harmonious assimilation and seamless synthesis of the old with the new. The process of change requires us to carefully analyze and investigate the entire gamut of our social, Cultural, historical and political heritage in the fulgent light of modern ideas, progressive thoughts and dynamic ideologies and discard all dysfunctional, distorting, vestigial, and incongruent elements, which are thwarting our collective growth and progress. But we must resolutely and diligently preserve, promote and protect the gems of our core values, pearls of our traditional wisdom and inviolable credos, which not only project our unique identity and place in the modern World but also facilitate in our socio-cultural and political progress. It is in this inescapable realization that has dawn on our contemporary Naga society, especially the vibrant younger generation of Nagas, who have to awake and arise from their somnolence, shake off the dust of despair and frustration and take their destiny in their own hands. The entire cross-section of the Naga community, including our Naga brothers, have to thoroughly reflect and introspect with care, caution and meticulousness on our past, as it compares with the present and how it aligns with our future goals and ambitions. And in the process, we must jettison the burden of the past and the dreariness of yore, and reshape our ideas and outlook to suit our present needs and future requirements.
Ground Realities:
Nagaland as the 16th State of the Indian Union was formally inaugurated by the President of India on 1st December, 1963. It is, thus, a part of the great Indian family and should be treated as such. The mistake of the past in treating Nagaland as merely a law and order problem should not be repeated. On their part, the people of the State should also take a practical view of things instead of deluding themselves with lofty ideals.
Nagaland is a small State with a geographical area of 26,579 kms. and population of 2.275 million. Its socio-political and economic problems, however, are very complex. There are 16 recognised tribes with 60 different dialects. The State is economically under developed with predominantly an agrarian economy and a very difficult mountainous terrain. For a State of its size, it has a disproportionately large number of government employees numbering close to one lakh. To add to its woes, the State has an educated unemployment figure of 72,687, a majority of whom are youth. This in itself presents a potentially explosive situation unless tackled timely.
The State’s revenue base is very low and cannot match the requirements of its expenditure, both revenue and capital, it is therefore necessary for the Government of India to provide a special financial dispensation for the overall development of the State. As part of the arrangement within the framework of the Peace Accord, a comprehensive and detailed blueprint for development of Nagaland be drawn up jointly by the Government of India and the Nagaland Government fully funded by the Government of India as Central projects. At the same time, the Central Government will have to vigorously monitor the expenditure of the State Government so as to prevent leakages and ensure efficient utilization of funds in development projects.
Article 371-A of the Constitution of India which was an offshoot of the 16 Point Agreement that provides certain safeguards to the State and its people needs a relook in view of the changes that have taken place since. The cloud of ambiguity over some of its provisions also needs to be cleared. For instance, the phrase “land and its resources” should unambiguously be interpreted to include natural gas and its by-products. Their exploitation by the State would, without doubt, add to its resources and make it economically more viable.
Impact of Look East Policy:
At the 12th ASEAN-India Summit and East Asia Summit in Myanmar, the Prime Minister of India announced in clear terms that the Government of India had decided to move with priority and speed to transform India’s ‘Look East Policy’ into ‘ Act East Policy’. Of particular interest, he added, was the issue of enhancing connectivity between India and ASEAN, not just by land, and sea but also by air. Moreover, institutional, digital and people-to-people connectivity were no less important. There will also be free movement of people, particularly professionals; creation of regional value chains to increase economic inter-dependence for mutual benefits; recognition of each other’s educational qualifications and degree, and such like.
In a non-too-distant future, when the Act East policy bears fruition matures, the entire North East region including Nagaland will witness heightened economic activities. Multi-nationals from many countries especially from the South Asian countries, will be interested to invest in the region which will per force become one big economic hub to accommodate the prevailing economic forces. We shall be witnessing unprecedented influx of populations –traders, scholars, students and tourists into India through North East. There is every possibility of submergence of the local populations by outsiders. Inter-marriages between the local girls and outsiders may assume serious dimensions. Outsiders from different parts of the neighbouring countries with different linguistics and religious identities will set in their foothold all over the region including Nagaland, and in the process, Naga identity and, more particularly , their Christian identity may be severely affected. Any final accord on the Naga political problem therefore should take cognizance of this likely problem and provide safeguards.
It will be expedient and prudent on the part of the Government of India to approach the Naga problem with brotherly spirit. The problem at hand should be treated as a family matter and resolved as disputes are in the family. An opportunity has presented itself when the people by and large are inclined to shed their past ideological baggage and confront reality. A sense of pragmatism and benevolent accommodation by the big brother at this juncture will go a long way in resolving a problem that has defied solution for over six decades. “We may not be able to change the direction of the wind but then we can always adjust our sails.”
