“We have not seriously understood the real meaning of reconciliation and peace, yet have uttered them for our benefit over all these years,” MLA Vikheho Swu
Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 24
Critical of the overused word ‘Peace and Reconciliation’ by the government as well as civil society, MLA Vikheho Swu from the opposition bench today expressed that the meaning of ‘Peace and Reconciliation’ has not been seriously understood yet have been used to benefit oneself. “We have not seriously understood the real meaning of reconciliation and peace, yet have uttered them for our benefit over all these years. It is time now to understand its real meaning and its applicability to our situation,” stated Swu while debating on the motion of thanks to the Governor’s Address on March 24 during the Assembly session.
Reconciliation, according to Swu, should be looked at in two angles. One is understanding what reconciliation is all about and the approach to achieving it. Secondly, who do we truly reconcile with? Drawing cases on the Truth and Reconciliation Committee in South Africa which was based on establishing the truth, Swu paraphrased a verse from the Bible, “When mercy and truth meet and when justice and peace kiss, only then reconciliation will come about.” Despite the much talked about the need for reconciliation in Nagaland, Swu pointed out, “We don’t want to talk about forgiveness and mercy. We want reconciliation but we don’t want to talk about establishing the truth. We want reconciliation but deny justice. It is time now for the State Government to establish our approach towards reconciliation.”
Secondly, in Swu’s view, reconciliation should first come between India and the Naga people. “India must seek forgiveness from the Naga people, for the many wrongs committed on the Naga people through its various agencies. Correspondingly, Nagas must seek forgiveness to the Indians for the wrongs Nagas have committed to them. The main process of reconciliation should start with India. Once this process begins, the whole process of reconciliation will bear its true meaning,” said Swu adding that Nagas must reconcile within themselves and with their neighbouring states and countries.
Swu, also commenting on the Governor’s March 6, 2018 reported statement on solving the Naga political issue in six months stated, “If Solution does not come in 6 months, we will consider his statement as a false propaganda to influence people’s mind towards supporting formation of NDPP-BJP alliance in the State. The custodian of the State cannot afford to mislead or lie to its people; therefore if Indo-Naga political solution does not come in six months he must resign from his position.”
Set up panel of Economists for economic reforms
When the government is talking about change it should be talking about paradigm shift of the situation, said Dr. Chumben Murry from the opposition bench. He said change should come from the politicians and legislators. Criticizing the Governor’s address, Dr. Murry asserted, “What Nagaland needs at this juncture is a good economy and fiscal reforms. Nagaland’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) stands at 30th among 38 states and Union Territories of India which is far behind the sister states of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur and Tripura."
The Governor's address should have addressed how this government aims to bring Nagaland’s GSDP at a comfortable level in the next five years. What it aims to do in the primary, secondary and tertiary levels of development,” pointed out Dr. Murry. Nagaland which has enough resources to generate revenue was emphasized where the MLA from the opposition remarked that the Governor’s address should highlight the government’s plans to revamp revenue generation to scale it up.
Dr. Murry suggested that the present government should set up a panel of Economists to work on a road map for economic reforms and fiscal change. Further agriculture in Nagaland must also be developed by setting up of a Research and Development Cell under Agriculture Production Commissioner for innovation in our farming system.
Viewing that actual change should begin at the grassroots level, Dr. Murry also suggested for the immediate construction of MLA offices in district headquarters so that all the legislators are made to compulsorily visit the grassroots and enable them to be more accessible to the people.
