Rev. L. Suohie Mhasi
Facts about the different political organizations and suggestions for solution to the imbroglio are being presented to the readers with positive attitude and courage as follows:-
1. NNC/FGN.: I don’t blame NNC/FGN leaders for signing the Shillong Accord. I don’t blame my colleagues the Church leaders for the Accord. Their labors cannot be thrown into the dustbin. When the Accord was signed as a result military operation was stopped, the public heaved a heavy sigh of relief regardless of what the substance of the Accord was. The substance of the Shillong Accord was, “to accept the Constitution of India on their own volition”. The Accord No. 1 Clause 3, “It was agreed that the representatives of underground organizations should have reasonable time to formulate other issues for discussion for final settlement”. As far as NNC/FGN is concerned, it was not a dead and forgotten accord. For example:-
(a) When ex-CM Vizol was MP, he raised a question on NNC and the reply to his question was, “for NNC we have an agreement.
(b) When Dr. Rev. V.K. Nuh and myself went to Delhi, the then Lok Sabha member Asangba arranged a meeting at his residence and in meeting the Additional Director of Intelligence Bureau said, “If we talk with NNC, we will talk over the 3rd clause of the Shillong Accord”.
Let alone others, even I myself had time and again urged NNC/FGN leaders to admit the truth and reorganize and restrengthen NNC so that it may be instrumental in bringing about better understanding among the Nagas but all were fanatic. Without reuniting and restrengthening the NNC, it cannot regain its position of 1964 by claiming their right or with endless explanation and now the parent organization NNC/FGN was split into fragmented groups.
2. NSCN: The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) was formed in 1980 and in place of the Federal Government of Nagaland, Government of People’s Republic of Nagaland (GPRN) was formed. The new organization was the survival of the Naga political movement but they also got split into two- NSCN (I-M) and NSCN (K).
3. NSCN (K): NSCN (K) also have a ceasefire agreement with the Government of India. They are backing Naga Unification movement but only raising slogans without bringing up any concrete idea is wastage of time and finance. If any workable or practicable way is found, nobody will object to it. So how to formulate any practicable way is far more than mammoth gatherings over the issue.
4. NSCN (I-M): According to the media statement, NSCN (I-M) is the most powerful insurgent group in India. Their leadership is highly intellectual and capable. So the Government of India had recognized their existence and a ceasefire agreement was reached between the GOI and the NSCN (I-M) on 01.08.1997 which was followed by the second highest level political talk between the Nagas and the GOI and it continues up to date however unfruitful it ma be. The Naga National political movement which was at its terminus with the Shillong Accord has been superseded when the GOI had accepted terms and conditions of the highest level talk between the GOI and the NSCN (I-M). The Naga general public has to make use of the opportunity when the original stand of the Nagas was restored through NSCN (I-M). It is too irrational and very unwise on the part of the Naga public or Organizations if the ongoing political talk is opposed or sabotaged. It will be detrimental to the people because the success or failure of the talk will reflect on the people. On the other hand, the NSCN (I-M) which is leading the talk have to have more magnanimous attitude towards others instead of doing anything which is designed to crush the opponents.
5. HOSTILITY: Hostility among the political groups has deflected the mechanism of the whole set of the Naga political movement. Naturally the intention of an enemy is how to oppose, how to paralyze, how to sabotage, how to destroy, how to defeat and how to obstruct the work of the rival. How can an enemy be expected to do good to the opponent? How can an enemy be blamed for his action against his rival? Nagas need to build up, to construct and to go forward, but the national workers became enemies of one another and their focus is not how to achieve the destiny but how to retaliate the enemies’ action against them. As long as hostility continues, consistency and decency cannot be brought about. Jesus Christ is the end of enmity, so real Christian will end hostility with any others. Hostility should cease and it is not a matter of complying with the appeal of anybody or any organization but it is obedience to the commandment of Christ. Don’t look up to anybody or any organization but look up to Christ and obey him. Cease hostility with anybody spontaneously now as the spirit of God inspires you.
6. SUGGESTIONS: The Bible said, “A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up. A time to love and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace”. (Eccl. 3: 3, 8). “Enlarge the place of thy tent and let them stretch forth the curtains of their habitations, spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes”. (Is 54:2).
It is suggested that leaving everything of the past irrespective of what it is, first of all, the delegation team for talk be enlarged which is inclusive of the National workers from other camps. For instance; one from NNC/FGN, one from NSCN (K)/GPRN and another from at large. NSCN (I-M) will have to continue to lead the team but the delegation for talk be named as Naga delegation team or Naga delegates. The talk is between the GOI and the Nagas instead of between the GOI and the NSCN (I-M). In the past only the name of NSCN (I) was used because there were divisions and oppositions but if the talk is inclusive of all the organizations, the name of the country has to be used such as “Naga delegates”. For instance; Indian delegation or Indian delegates. The different political organizations will continue to function till such time that a change is brought about. In the mean time the representatives of the respective organizations be converged in the team of Naga delegation. It is not at the expense of any organization and is the gain of all which will be a great day of jubilation for all of the Nagas!
In the context of the present situation, if you come to Christ and consult him, he will tell you nothing other than “peace”. If you opt for peace it is obedience to Christ.
