Pakinrichapbo
Advocate, Dimapur
It has always been physically dangerous in one way or other to comment, work and sacrifice for a Naga cause by a Naga individual due to identity crisis which worsen after the creation of the Nagaland Statehood, but as a true believer in Naga Race, Identity, Culture and most importantly in future of the Nagas, I muster up my courage to pen down my thoughts which I believe are relevant in the present context. And in order to avoid complication of the said statement, let me put this way: long ago a group of related tribal’s groups identifying themselves as Nagas came together to fight for independence, they fought and fought, where in between, separate groups put up other demands to Union of India, giving their own valid reasons leading to the establishment of Nagaland State, to which I believe has created both positive and negative impact on the Nagas. But the struggles never end till today. In the process, it breaks the already divided Nagas into numerous groups. A careful/ sensible Naga avoid choosing sides and prefer living outside for their own safety but only a rich man can do that not the poor public who will soon be forced to choose sides if the actors like in the near past resort to terror to settle their disagreements and old scores. The victims as usual will be the poor innocent publics not the decision makers.
It is already clear that our future is not bright like a clear summer sky for various selfish reasons. We are living right above the melting pot of a volcano where wrong decisions taken by the old and new actors will bring inferno along with generation of chaos if the responsible leaders of different groups fail to compromise and decided to go forward with their own respective agendas. Here the present leaders must never ever forget that many capable past leaders has gone before solving the complex Naga Political Issues as the then leaders had clash of ideologies and what not, in these matter, it is imperative to remember that unlike the Chinese population, Naga population is so few and leading to much fear civil war will be the end of our race and identity making us the smallest minority groups in the world. China was able to rebuild its National economy and resources by the hard working people surviving the Chinese Civil War whereas Nagas are lazy. Returning to the main topic, the question now is whether we face the repetition of the same old political drama with new and different players or to rest the Naga political conflicts to bed once and for all where all the Nagas can sleep with a peace of mind. Superficial unity and superficial peace do not last long. Only permanent peace can ensure all round development for the majority of the poor Naga populace. The present leaders hold the key to the bright and promising future and failing to guarantee better future, they will fall in the same line with their predecessors who failed the economically poor Nagas, by blindly following their own selfish agendas and ignoring the larger picture.
The present debates between the leaders of various political groups including self styled Righteous Naga intellects/think tanks have only shown the replay of the past debates where the then leaders too debated by not compromising on their views and interests. Nothing new and positive developments are visible till now adding more fears and uncertainties to the ongoing unhealthy debates. Even the public opinion is not clear and will never be after all the poor public is confused. One of the chief factors to our infighting I strongly believe is that almost all Naga individual consider Naga entity to be a mere apex organization of different Naga tribes the very reason Naga cause fell succumbed to respective tribe’s cause and interest and also Naga leaders occupying the top post has no power to go against his tribe dictates. But one phenomenon which topped the lists and has done irreparable damage to Naga cause is the subject of defining proper and improper Naga. The said practice not corrected in short time, permanent solution shall remain elusive leading to the dissolution of Naga entity. Nothing is permanent. The present political scenario shows that we are heading to our dooms day. The Naga destiny lies in the hands of the good and brave Nagas who can deliver justice in this world where the word “Justice” is long gone.
Another reminder to democracy loving Naga is that USA was built on the principles of compromise and integrity even in the times of great clash of ideology between the Federalist and Anti-Federalist camp. The Nagas still clashes as we are not yet enlightened and will never be as long as we blindly follows federal structure without knowing properly how to follow it.
