The editorial column of Morung express of 23rd November, 2011 edition has rightly stated on supra State Body as reported in Seven Sister Post and the position of Naga Organisations. “Strangely the Nagas are not saying anything and have remained so quite even though others around us are making their protest known. Isn’t it high time for the Nagas to also make known their stand and take a position?” The furious opposition to Naga solution in the guise of supra state by O Ibobi Singh, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Manipur, The president of MPCC (I) none other than a Naga Mr. Gaikhangam, the utterance of highly communal tone by MPP party chief, Mr. Biren, spokesperson of SPF government’s insane utterance that there is no Nagas land, or kukis land in Manipur, UCM’s confused childish statement and other periphery clubs in the Imphal valley have hit the headlines of both electronic and print media of national and local channels/papers. Sadly as said in the editorial column, Naga organizations be it Naga apex parent body or tribe bodies have remained silent. Even students’ bodies, women and Human Rights body have not said anything or responded. Naga Hoho, the apex body of all Naga tribes prefers to comfort into silence even though their strong resolution of May 8, 2010 remain just a paper manuscripts for name sake in the history.
I must admit that the Naga organisations in Manipur have been in its lowest ebb in the history of its struggle for freedom of exploitation and regaining its dignity as fellow human race. Strategy and planning continue to be unprepared. The counter blockade on the Sadar Hill district demand was unfortunate. It had boost up the strength of the Kuki politics of blockade which ultimately had reached into an agreement of MoU. The sudden move by both Government of Manipur and Government of India, signing MoU with Kuki on 31st Oct and Hon’ble Indian Home Minister visit on 2nd and 3rd only to Naga areas was to hoodwink both Naga and Kuki. Right after SHDDC blockade was called off, the sudden twist in the mindset of Meitei and its strong journalist lined up in various Media platform, came out abruptly in demonizing the Nagas on the blockade. This was not handled well as it should be.
Naga organisations seem to be caught up in too many issues like Sadar Hill, Alternative Arrangement, Indo-Naga Peace talk and micro internal issues. All issues are so interlinked to one another that Naga organizations’ strategies appear to be bankrupt in operational planning. One formidable reason that thwarts its operation is the absence of basic economic sustenance of its people. That’s where the politician play their popular politics of favors in beneficiary distributions where we are made to think that even NREGS schemes are brought by them though it is implemented all over India. Having said, one of the uniqueness of the Nagas is when their rights of freedom are questioned they will resist it to the last breathe. This is what the Naga Organisations’ leader need to vibrantly understand while exploring their approaches.
I believe many rational and intellectual Meiteis who reasons to all grievances’ from the perspective of aggrieved party have been silenced through coercion of threat from underground and radical groups like UCM and political ruling party or oppositions in connivance with armed groups. The opportunities to address the facts of the issues are completely surmised through distorted reports in Meitei controlled electronic media like local channel ISTV and print medias in Imphal. The concocted clipping of an old Meitei couple cooking with firewood was portrayed in national Television as hardship during blockade. If cooking with firewood depicts as hardship because of economic blockade than what about 90% of Tribals in the Hill who still continue to survive through firewood, leaving aside the complete absence of electricity, safe drinking water and primary healthcare centre and so on. Is it not human right issue of economic exploitation that the facts of the situation should be addressed in all fairness? However, only negative images are created as one sided reports because there are no star hotels for accommodations in the hill area.
Intricacies within Naga society persist to survive by few motivated people for the reason best known to them. Collective wisdom to survive as a people is done away with individual wisdom to profit at the expense of collective rights of our paramount issues. The crucial decisive period of Indo-Naga talk outcome is being trampled upon in conspiracy with anti-Naga outside people for individual profits mesmerising the common innocent people through hate and regionalism.
It is so outrageous that Congress (I) launched its political convention for the coming election from Ukhrul on 24th November 2011, a home town to all heavy weight NSCN leaders, when their party position has been clearly defined that “Manipur Territorial Integrity will not be compromised with any form of Naga solution” Such anti people activities were allowed to execute in the soil of Nagas undermining the thousands of precious innocents’ lives laid down in defense of their inalienable rights to be a distinct people and the present crucial peace talk. Such pre conceived motives, be it a Kuki or Indian or American or anyone around the world would not have even allowed to speak of it. Showering of Naga traditional valued shawl to O.Ibobi Singh during his visit to Jessami village along with Indian Home Minister, devalue Naga ethos of gift and also contradicts the decision of Naga People convention (NPC) to severe-tie with the Government of Manipur. These activities question the credibility and commitment of that area or tribes’ social bodies, Students, Women, Youths. Such wave should not be at all allowed, be it any other National or regional parties, when their position remain anti Naga people and their land. This budding crisis within and without must be nib out before pretentious ignorant stupidity wave spread into every Nagas’ family.
The chain of command within Naga traditional bodies need to be refreshed. Despite series of consultation meet in different layers it has not been able to translate or percolate to its people. Lack of leadership quality will surely be like a general without soldiers. Time for retrospection within leaderships in different areas of operations one may operate. We must learn from the past and live on with the future. No matter how uncomfortable it may be, the need of the hour is to save our in formidable legacy we inherited with correct and timely decision to live in full dignity.
Hopeson Shatsang
Delhi University, South Ext. New Delhi
I must admit that the Naga organisations in Manipur have been in its lowest ebb in the history of its struggle for freedom of exploitation and regaining its dignity as fellow human race. Strategy and planning continue to be unprepared. The counter blockade on the Sadar Hill district demand was unfortunate. It had boost up the strength of the Kuki politics of blockade which ultimately had reached into an agreement of MoU. The sudden move by both Government of Manipur and Government of India, signing MoU with Kuki on 31st Oct and Hon’ble Indian Home Minister visit on 2nd and 3rd only to Naga areas was to hoodwink both Naga and Kuki. Right after SHDDC blockade was called off, the sudden twist in the mindset of Meitei and its strong journalist lined up in various Media platform, came out abruptly in demonizing the Nagas on the blockade. This was not handled well as it should be.
Naga organisations seem to be caught up in too many issues like Sadar Hill, Alternative Arrangement, Indo-Naga Peace talk and micro internal issues. All issues are so interlinked to one another that Naga organizations’ strategies appear to be bankrupt in operational planning. One formidable reason that thwarts its operation is the absence of basic economic sustenance of its people. That’s where the politician play their popular politics of favors in beneficiary distributions where we are made to think that even NREGS schemes are brought by them though it is implemented all over India. Having said, one of the uniqueness of the Nagas is when their rights of freedom are questioned they will resist it to the last breathe. This is what the Naga Organisations’ leader need to vibrantly understand while exploring their approaches.
I believe many rational and intellectual Meiteis who reasons to all grievances’ from the perspective of aggrieved party have been silenced through coercion of threat from underground and radical groups like UCM and political ruling party or oppositions in connivance with armed groups. The opportunities to address the facts of the issues are completely surmised through distorted reports in Meitei controlled electronic media like local channel ISTV and print medias in Imphal. The concocted clipping of an old Meitei couple cooking with firewood was portrayed in national Television as hardship during blockade. If cooking with firewood depicts as hardship because of economic blockade than what about 90% of Tribals in the Hill who still continue to survive through firewood, leaving aside the complete absence of electricity, safe drinking water and primary healthcare centre and so on. Is it not human right issue of economic exploitation that the facts of the situation should be addressed in all fairness? However, only negative images are created as one sided reports because there are no star hotels for accommodations in the hill area.
Intricacies within Naga society persist to survive by few motivated people for the reason best known to them. Collective wisdom to survive as a people is done away with individual wisdom to profit at the expense of collective rights of our paramount issues. The crucial decisive period of Indo-Naga talk outcome is being trampled upon in conspiracy with anti-Naga outside people for individual profits mesmerising the common innocent people through hate and regionalism.
It is so outrageous that Congress (I) launched its political convention for the coming election from Ukhrul on 24th November 2011, a home town to all heavy weight NSCN leaders, when their party position has been clearly defined that “Manipur Territorial Integrity will not be compromised with any form of Naga solution” Such anti people activities were allowed to execute in the soil of Nagas undermining the thousands of precious innocents’ lives laid down in defense of their inalienable rights to be a distinct people and the present crucial peace talk. Such pre conceived motives, be it a Kuki or Indian or American or anyone around the world would not have even allowed to speak of it. Showering of Naga traditional valued shawl to O.Ibobi Singh during his visit to Jessami village along with Indian Home Minister, devalue Naga ethos of gift and also contradicts the decision of Naga People convention (NPC) to severe-tie with the Government of Manipur. These activities question the credibility and commitment of that area or tribes’ social bodies, Students, Women, Youths. Such wave should not be at all allowed, be it any other National or regional parties, when their position remain anti Naga people and their land. This budding crisis within and without must be nib out before pretentious ignorant stupidity wave spread into every Nagas’ family.
The chain of command within Naga traditional bodies need to be refreshed. Despite series of consultation meet in different layers it has not been able to translate or percolate to its people. Lack of leadership quality will surely be like a general without soldiers. Time for retrospection within leaderships in different areas of operations one may operate. We must learn from the past and live on with the future. No matter how uncomfortable it may be, the need of the hour is to save our in formidable legacy we inherited with correct and timely decision to live in full dignity.
Hopeson Shatsang
Delhi University, South Ext. New Delhi
