Promoting mutual understanding and collaboration through people-to-people exchanges and dialogue in the northeast region is an idea whose time has come. Greater time and effort must be invested into these processes so that we are able to facilitate a more peaceful approach towards conflict resolution in the region. Let us face it that governments of the region in their respective State, are tied down by the pressures of everyday governance besides they are unable because of political circumstances to go beyond the State’s interest. Also every government will engage in populism given the electoral calculation involved in attempting to win or retain power. But if people take the initiative to change the rules, then those in power can always be brought on board to talk about difficult issues. And this is precisely what is happening with regard to the long drawn border row between the States of Assam and Nagaland. A subject that would usually not be taken up by State power, it was therefore welcome to hear that the Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi had stated that he would be happy if the border row between his state and Nagaland was resolved mutually and amicably. Lauding the attempt made by members of Assam-Nagaland Goodwill Team, which called upon him, the Assam CM assured them of all support and cooperation. Gogoi went on to say that his government would extend all support and cooperation if the people of both sides sit together and arrive at a mutual understanding. The Morung Express has on many occasions while writing about the border row between Assam and Nagaland suggested that mutual resolution to any problem is the best solution.
We need to build on this kind of diplomacy in order to address the number of issues around us. On the other side of the border with Manipur there is actually no channel of communication with Nagaland and vice-versa. This is worrying and needs some initiative. A kind of a Meitei-Naga forum is indeed long overdue. There are fundamental differences especially on the question of ‘State integrity’ as stated by the Meiteis and ‘integration’ as stated by the Nagas. Overcoming them will not be easy at all. The point is that rather than every time react and retaliate against each other, it makes good sense to keep the lines of communication open. Differences should be resolved through a people to people approach. A people to people contact between the Meiteis and Nagas can be a starting point. The result may not be immediate but this will be beneficial in the long term. Nagas need to talk to our neighbors and not shout at them and vice-versa. Perhaps the media can step in and play the role of mediator. Further, in a region such as ours where we are faced with so many difficult issues centered on ethnicity, land, unresolved conflicts etc. how can the media meet these challenges?
While we speak of the conventional role of the media in terms of disseminating news and information, the media has to look beyond that. Be a platform for peace and dialogue to take place. We will be covering an area in which there will be different ethnic groups of people with dissimilar goals and aspirations. There is going to be sharp differences over the question of history, land, resource and identity. And therefore we in the media must first and foremost play the role of facilitating dialogue and giving space to opinion sharing in order that difficult issues can also be talked about in an atmosphere of mutual trust. As a newspaper we should not shy away from giving space to all shades of opinions. Be fair and impartial. Gain the trust and respect of those from other communities so that we can play a constructive role in promoting peace and understanding. The media in the region must therefore be conscious of its unique role and responsibility it has to play—give space to promote dialogue and reason so that the media can be an instrument for peace and mutual understanding in the NE region.
