I am compelled to give rejoinder to “Intangki subject; its time we close” which appeared on the local daily on 11 July 2009 by one Pawan Rahaa, Jalukie. He seems to be a writer who is expert in twisting the facts diplomatically and threatening at the same time through his melodious write-ups or shall we call it cover-ups. Is it not threatening? When he cited an example of Varun Gandhi and the use of yardstick applied to writers. When one uses the word yardstick on Intangki issue, if you do not understand, I will enlighten you. Yardstick on Intangki should be applied at par on both Inavi/Naga United Village and Beisumpukam Village. While Inavi/Naga United Village had been evicted 27 times Beisumpukam has not been evicted once though both the villages are within Intangki forest. This is, my friend where you have misinterpreted the word “yardstick”. Your views are purely a chauvinistic statement.
You are right when you said my write-up should be a wake up call for us Nagas. All the Nagas are not aware of the fact that Zeliangrong people are immigrants from Tamenglong district under Manipur. Nagas are also not aware of who are real land holders and people who are settled in Beisumpukam. At this juncture, Naga should be vigilant on different writers on Intangki issue. Remember, aggressive supporters of Beisumpukam have now altered the very nomenclature “Intangki” into “Ntanki”. This is another tactical step to claim what rightfully does not belong to them.
The seed of segregation between the Nagas of Nagaland and Manipur was sown on the soil of Nagas by those who came from Manipur. I will not elaborate on the term ‘Naga” though I am accused of having a limited knowledge on the term. My limited knowledge on any subject is not related to Intangki issue in any way.
It is very amusing to know that Beisumpukam village existed since time immemorial starting with Naga history. Does Naga history began only in the early 80’s when Zeliangrong people established Beisumpukam? How funny? Naga history is thousands of years old and not just 20 - 30 years old. This shows Pawan Rahaa’s vague knowledge on Naga history.
Every one knows who’s who in NSCN (IM) set-up. Tangkhul and Nagas of Manipur are the elite authority. Every word they speak is the law itself. Don’t you know why Nagaland was renamed Nagalim? Because to subjugate other Nagas, it is essential to eliminate ‘land’ from Nagaland. The terminology of Nagaland itself defines exactly who are the people and specific boundary of Nagaland. Nagalim is just a recent coinage in Naga political movement though Nagaland had been the nomenclature used from the time of NNC/FGN.
I am not surprised when I am accused of excessive use of my right to speech. No one can deny the fact that Nagas of Nagaland are treated like dogs in Manipur. Forget Nagas of Nagaland, Nagas of Manipur are treated second class citizen in Manipur by the Meities. It is no wonder you have never been offended by Manipur Nagas or Meities in Manipur became Meities attitude towards Nagas have been the same since time immemorial. Discrimination of Nagas by the Meities is no new development. You who hail from Manipur have been accustomed to it. It is a way of life in Manipur.
When you Bay “No one has so far claimed the NC Hills carnage a Naga issue” the sentence itself clearly depicts itself that it is in the process of becoming one. The truth is NC Hills is a part of Assam and therefore is not Nagaland issue. Nagaland itself have many headaches to be cured instead of interfering in others business. It will be like a wife wailing for her lover/paramour on her husband’s death bed.
Chased out 27 times and calling it a social shame of greed and wantonness, stubbornness and against ethics of Naga men and women is a very funny statement, something to be laughed at. Imagine the hardship faced 27 times at the expense of human lives and material assets. Have you no moral sense for loss of human lives for claiming what rightfully belongs to them? Are you a Psychopath who have no value for human lives? .
Intangki issue if not settled amicably will be an ever burning issue down generation. It is not a simple issue that one forgets after a lapse of weeks. It is not a subject to be closed. Closing the issue will be a surrender to unwarranted pressure. Every question has its answer and Intangki question too will find its answer is just a matter of time. For the Nagas there had never been any traditional landownership in noman’s land, under which category Intangki falls. Therefore, it is better to understand and admit the truth instead of pointing fingers and calling names which standing on the false ground.
KIVIKA S. SUMI
Social Worker,
Naga Cemetery, Dimapur
