For once in the democratic history of the Nagas, the Ruling and the Opposition parties have displayed a laudable initiative of solidarity for the greater interest of the people who have suffered a crippling brunt of conflict both from the Indian Army and the National Workers. As long as the world keeps revolving, controversy among men will continue unabated. I am about to initiate one such subject. The onus of responsibility lies with those at the helms of affair to see through the mist of confusion with conviction, resolve and courage to steer the destiny of our people towards a cherished dream of lasting peace with dignity. A wise matured decision in a momentous time such as this will ultimately define the true grit and quality of the leaders in the anal of our history. Perhaps the Almighty has opened a window of opportunity and hope for our leaders and our people to achieve what has so far been perceived as unachievable.
It is unfortunate that our Home Minister had suffered a momentary foot in the mouth infection for which his own esteemed party men have forthrightly rendered their regret publically. The opposition members should show a gentlemanly spirit of accommodation to let the matter rest in order to accomplish the higher objective for which Joint Legislators Forum (JLF) was formed. This is a time for serious brain storming among our leaders to find ways and means to forge ahead constructively and not waste time for petty bickering. The task ahead is formidable and requires all hands on deck. It would do us well to sincerely remember and acknowledge that the seriousness of the ultimate sacrifices made by the generation before us is not for nothing. They all deserve to be honored in a befitting manner not by cold heartedly relegating their selfless sacrifices, into the realm of statistic. Furthermore, it is more the common man who feels the suffocation of 65 long years of bearing the cross going way beyond the rational boundaries of human endurance. If we let this moment to slip away, we could be staring at an infinite time frame before the fate of the Nagas crystallizes.
I am under no illusion to presume that the thoughts being reflected herewith would be a fool proof approach to a solution. This is more of an exercise to further the cause of brain storming within the JLF. At this stage the JLF has opted for a limited scope of offering to step aside if any interim Government arrangement is initiated by the GOI. As magnanimous as their offer is, it is less likely that the GOI would initiate anything substantial without an element of realistic pressure. Therefore while truly appreciating the spirit of our Legislators in wanting to pave the way forward through the log jam the seriousness of their intent is still unclear as to the extent they are really prepared to go. It is here that our Legislators could register the seriousness of their intent by showing solidarity beyond the present point to that of abstention from participation in the coming election in 2013. This entails a core commitment of the highest order. It is bound to make the GOI to sit up and think for sure. It is understandable that the past experience of a similar call for abstention resulted in a fiasco where the Congress defied the call and went ahead with the participation in the electoral process. This experience will have undoubtedly given birth to a wide range of skeptics. But the one major difference in the present scenario is that of the emergence of JLF which otherwise did not exist then. It is also a plausible consideration that even if the 60 Legislators abstain from the husting, unlike the regional parties, the High Command of the National Parties could flex its muscle and declare its sitting members as rogues and set up other willing alternative candidates for the contest. This of course is a possibility which cannot be undermined lightly. The larger picture however could be painted if all the nagas, no matter which National Parties they may be affiliated to, resolve to stand united for the greater good of our people, alternative candidate could be prevented. Can the present ruling Govt. initiate such a coordinated move? If this comes to pass we are all well aware that no National Party candidates can be imported from other States for the State Assembly Election. Abstention would be effective this time round. It would be of utmost importance if the group of 60 along with all the respective party workers follows this through with a mass awakening campaign within their respective constituencies down to the grassroot level to let our people clearly understand the consequences of our inability to maintain solidarity. The resolution of each village towards this end could then be obtained. Once the public at large endorses the decision in all seriousness, following the examples being shown by the responsible leaders, the voters would represent the mass pressure group. Additional means of discouraging rogue elements from contesting would solidly be in place. It would literally amount to a second plebiscite being invoked with potential consequence to our advantage.
This brings us to a very contentious subject of a gigantic proportion: the honorable placement of leaders of all factions within the interim Government in order to preempt a possible civil war in the aftermath. It would be worth a gamble if the effort of public solidarity endorsement is successfully pushed to its limits. A strong signal goes out to all the factions to clearly understand that their continuance of in fighting despite clear option being made available, would greatly devalue their motives and public standings. An argument could still persist that any public voice can be silenced with the gun. Going by the timid response of the public at large so far, this would sound reasonably accurate. However the change of circumstance could hopefully be taken into account. We already have had experience of some daring village(s) or an area sectorally declaring non-cooperation with A/B faction(s). True, such pocket rebellion has never dented the convenience of the faction(s) in a general way. The writing on the wall could well be read however, if a State wide endorsement of non-cooperation becomes a general occurrence in the event of their failure to opt for an honorable position within the interim arrangement. The compulsive momentum would decidedly be significant. The all important EGO fixation between the factions should be locked away once for all in the deepest dungeon and the key thrown away for good. From their stand point, a self serving status should not be prioritized to supersede or compromise the National interest. This may sound like asking for the moon but a concerted statewide public pressure could turn the tide. The National workers would have understood by now that no struggle can be sustained without the willful support of the people. Tapping the fearful support will ultimately become unsustainable in the long run.
This is the most sensitive and controversial aspect of an adjustment parameter likely to be thrown out of the window before the ink is dry. However, basing on the ground reality, that NSCN (IM) is spearheading the negotiation with the GOI they would perhaps claim the lead role in the formation of an interim Govt. Beyond this point Nagas would have high expectation that the NSCN(IM) exercises an open mind to ensure an inclusive Govt. where all other factional leaders finds an honorable placement. FNR has been working towards such a development of a National Govt. becoming a reality. Their inputs should be harnessed for a better understanding of the conflict zones on the subject. In this context it would also become imperative for NSCN (IM) to transparently lay down the terms of negotiation that it has carried out so far with the GOI for a finer appraisal and understanding of all the other factions. Once a pragmatic possibility is collectively streamlined the united effort should have a better impact in the final negotiated outcome. At no point of time in the history of our people is the element of TRUST become more relevant in order to open the door to our destiny. This will be the litmus test of their faith in the Almighty even as they proclaim “Nagaland for Christ”.
All these years the Govt. in power has been expounding its position as a facilitator. It would be appropriate to presume that the time is ripe to implement this claim directly or indirectly and really facilitate an opportunity for all the factions to come to a realistic and pragmatic understanding and conform through dispassionate reasoning. The idea of a National consensus would be well served provided each sectoral effort is activated with a committed input.
The views reflected above will perhaps be written off as a wild impossible dream to achieve. What must be kept in mind is that the moment we allow Mr. Impossible to take control of our thought process we would have already lost the battle before it has begun. However impossible a task may seem, if efforts are sincerely committed we are more likely to achieve something even if it is not a complete fulfillment of the goal. Therefore, let something be born from nothing by following the impossible dream.
Khekiye K. Sema IAS Rtd
Forest Colony, Kohima
