Please note that, this is neither supporting nor justifying the black deeds of our Naga National workers. I urge people’s patience and prudence, if they must read and understand the concept of what I am going to convey through this write-up.
I completely understand that people in Nagaland state, as well as in other parts of Naga inhabited areas are overloaded with the burdens of multiple taxation by our ever sprouting Naga Political Governments, NPG factions. I thus vehemently detest factionalism, extortion, robbery and high-handedness of our Naga National workers towards the general public at gunpoint, who actually feed them. I also condemn in the strongest term to those self-enriching mongers in the name of the National Movement. And spit upon those reckless fanatics, who are the root cause of all our predicament in the face of the world.
To tackle with these unwarranted activities as well as the various forms of corruption in the State Government’s establishment, the “Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation” (ACAUT) came out to the rescue of the victims; which is indeed commendable and noteworthy. However, it startled me and did confuse me, when ACAUT came all out against a certain NPG which at present, is the only organisation negotiating with the Government of India (GoI) at the highest level; to bring about an amicable political solution to the protracted Naga Political Issue, for which almost all the Nagas have been desperately yearning with the hope that, it would mitigate our burdens.
Notwithstanding that the ACAUT, as proclaimed, is a civil movement against corruption and unabated taxation, now ACAUT questioning the legitimacy of the mandates of this organization which in the eye of the world and GoI, is the one representing the Nagas sounds like a gross utterance. It has made ACAUT appear like a full fledged political opponent like one of those rival faction, in the eyes of the critical observers of Naga political journey.
I, for one, as a keen and passionate observer as well as a Naga, could not refrain myself from sharing my concerns over this issue. I therefore, shall get down to brass tacks of it just as what I perceived without sugar-coating nor exaggeration.
Let us examine and weight the eminent crusades of “One Govt. One Tax” by ACAUT with an open and conscious mind, dear Nagas of today’s developed age. Although the Slogan is striking and irresistible of gaining influence and support of the general public against the rampant taxation by multiple NPGs, the modus operandi of the campaigners is off-centre and extremely flawed.
“One Govt. One Tax” is indeed a tip-top manifesto of all the concerned Naga citizens. However, in the context of vexed Naga Political Movement, the slogan “OGOT” is an uncooked mechanism or instrument with which we are trying to unify our NPG factions, on the condition of not paying taxes. It’s like, we are dictating a divorced couple for a forced re-union. Here, we are trying to make our NPG factions Ignite rather than Unite by strangulating their throats that, they must unite or else die out. Since unifying of the conflicting parties has to come through a well orchestrated road-map, for peace and unity through some means of: ethical, diplomatic, rational and non-violent approach.
Moral pressure and smooth-talking to bridge the gap, and removing the isolation between the conflicting or excommunicated groups is imperative to arrive at any sort of peace treaty or concord. It involves a painstaking brain-work:- deliberate, purposeful and disciplined approach, without which, “OGOT” has the potential to jeopardize our National Cause and not just a certain NPG faction as may have targeted.
The diplomacy of ACAUT or any other agent in this regard is thus charged with a double task: studying and comprehending the nature of the relations between various NPG factions and civil societies and communicating with all, concerning the parties’ interests and aspirations is indispensable. Due to claims made by all factions to be representing the people, and it is an undeniable fact that they got the mandates of their respective supporters. The question here is, whether or not the interests and aspirations of all the stakeholders are correlative, corresponding to the conventionally declared Naga National Movement. If yes, then the ACAUT’s job is to be the bearer of the views of all the parties involved and tries to bring a diplomatic consensus to get everyone on-board the movement with the coalition at the Front Line to keep the impetus going and to bring about a solution that we all thinks we Nagas truly deserved.
Is calling the Front-liner back, demanding them to leave the headway they already made just to form ‘One Govt. For One tax’ was what ACAUT was up-to, just because those parties behind the battlefield are not willing to go forward? Then it is a suicidal and crooked move. And the problem here can be termed as a matter of conflict, over domination of power and of regions, for taxation or vying to replace the plate which would end up fetching nothing, but full of dirt.
In this case, the crux of Naga Political Movement is placed under the questions. And the “OGOT” drive is just to make the Issue murky from outside worlds’ view, not to forget our foe’s haughty supremacy over our discord. Be advised that, ethically it would create ambiguous situations where-in, we would get nothing but lost everything. In a fundamental sense, the people who are voluntarily out for people’s rescue cannot effectively perform the task of a saviour without acting with a least modicum of professional ethics. Ironically, it is observed that even an immoral NPG faction as labelled, is badly served by an acclaimed moral agent. Herein lies the ethical dilemma, which often faces the concern agent.
Has ACAUT initiated or facilitated our NPG factions with any of the basic fundamental decorum of conflict resolution in the first place, when they imposed “OGOT” besides intimidation, provocation, confrontation, lodging FIR or even serving the ultimatum against our negotiating group? Have they ever tried to talk and listen to what NPG factions had to say on a round table talk with a brotherly gesture?
If the answer is no, please don’t let ACAUT tell you that they were really for OGOT and not against our Political Cause, but against all or a certain NPG faction. Since it is a matter of our Priceless Political Cause, for which we have bled and paid enough and still paying for, no matter what. We as Naga citizens cannot afford to have our hard earned National Cause to be jeopardized or annihilated with the conspiracy of any agent, and in exchange of “One Govt. One tax” without an honest and genuine approach.
Do enlighten them of the need to work like the way the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR), led by Dr. Rev. Wati Aier, who in his capacity and wisdom had showcased phenomenal achievement in bringing our NPG (s) leaders on a table of brotherhood for understanding, resulting in evading of factional killings and subsequent signing of various agreements including the Naga Concordant on August 24 and 25, 2011 to form One Naga National Government. Although it has not been materialized for whatsoever the reason it may be, it was unanimously welcomed and acclaimed by all the section of people and that very accomplishment was a milestone in the history of Naga political movement.
ACAUT as professed, that they are only against corruption and unabated taxation, should drop the Motto “One Government One tax” and come out cleaned and straight with their real facade and focus on their core objectives rather than getting themselves into political wrestling like those rival factions. Apply or lay the same yard stick to all, give strident and thunderous directive against any kind of corruption and unauthorized taxation whosoever may it be without any bias or prejudice so that people would not get confused and support ACAUT unhesitatingly.
Equipped with “One Govt. One Tax” which was one of the primary objective of the FNR’s exemplary work that actually symbolize, “A Journey of Common Hope” but going offensive against our NPGs to the extend advocating unpleasant outcome looks bizarre and offbeat the slogan. If ACAUT still believes that our NPG factions would come together on the condition of just not paying taxes and think that our National cause would not be put to jeopardy, it would be a very big blunder on their part and it would not go down well in the discourse of Naga political movement.
Be mindful, that, the political milestone of our movement, earned with sweat, tears, blood and thousands lives would be stunted and distorted in pursuits of superiority unless the strive for superiority is over our difficulties rather than over others. And our movement may end up a self-defeated tendency.
V Luikham, New Delhi
