Z Lohe
Following the seeming progress of the negotiations on Naga political issue, a special correspondent of a local paper published his/her observations under the caption ‘Naga solution in suspense’ on the prospect of the likely Naga political solution in local papers on 25.10.2021. Of all, the last sentence attracts my attention, and I quote, “Government of Nagaland agreeing to rehabilitate those from outside Nagaland within the State and expecting increased Parliamentary and Assembly seats besides a hefty financial package” unquote.
The assessment of this correspondent may not be necessarily a figment of imagination. The possible enhancement of Parliamentary/Assembly seats or financial package is no doubt important but secondary to the donation of land within Nagaland for rehabilitation that matters. In my personal observation, the said assessment seems to have corresponding relation with the Nagaland Special Development Zone, Bill 2009 which was passed by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly on 29.03.2010. Consequent upon the approval of the State Assembly, the then Chief Secretary, Nagaland issued directive to his subordinate officer to instruct the concerned DCs ‘to start negotiation with the civil societies for identification of the area’ vide CSO/1/GEN/2013 dated 25th November, 2013. For information of those who may not know what does it mean by NSDZ. Briefly this Development Zone proposes to cover the whole foothill, the plain sector starting from Dimapur till Tijit. Within the Zone, the ILP will not be enforced and the land ownership with regard to Land Revenue Amendment Act, 1978 will be relaxed. Secondly, the quoted comment has very similar tone to that of the language used in the press statement of the Global Naga Forum (GNF) published in local papers dated 13.10.2021 under the caption ‘Homeland for Nagas.’ The GNF was translucent enough in harping on ‘a settlement package’ in the solution corresponding to the assessment of the Special Correspondent of the paper.
Whereas, the integration of the Naga contagious areas is no more the issue as to both the 2015 Framework Agreement of NSCN (IM) and to the 2017 Agreed Position of the WC, 7 NNPGs respectively, and thus there is no more confusion. Yet, if any area of land within Nagaland is to be earmarked for settlement of the non-stakeholders, it is going to be a mere population integration. Whereas, the said statement goes that the “Government of Nagaland agreeing to rehabilitate those from outside Nagaland within the State“ implies that the opposition-less Government, UDA, may like to give away certain area of land within Nagaland for those Nagas particularly from outside Nagaland to settle. Such decision may be taken on the floor of the House by 60 MLAs. And any decision so taken by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly becomes legal. In my perception, the present Government called UDA may not hesitate to give away huge chunk of Nagaland in the name of peaceful coexistence as if without which we cannot have peaceful coexistence and as if for whom such land is sacrificed are landless.
The other imperative is the recent collective reactions of the 14 indigenous Naga tribal Hohos of Nagaland. Firstly, to Naga Hoho that the resolutions so adopted by the Naga Hoho “should not be treated as the voice of (the) Nagas of Nagaland” as appeared in local papers on 18.10.2021. It was expected of the 14 Tribal Hohos for the reason that they are non-members of the controversial Naga Hoho, and therefore the Naga Hoho has no locus standi to speak anything on behalf of Nagaland except on behalf of those tribes which are affiliated to it. After a long time, the 14 Nagaland tribal Hohos did well in clearing a mess of who is the legitimate authority and who is not over Nagaland. The second reaction is the stern caution to the Naga National workers not to promote the creation of new groups. The admonishment is appreciable and subsequently the split was averted as reportedly known by the necessary and timely intervention of the right people.
Nevertheless, I wonder as to what would be the stance of the 14 Naga Tribal Hohos in the event of the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland deciding to donate an area of Nagaland for the settlement of the Nagas from outside Nagaland post political solution in view of its assurance of “fullest cooperation” to the Core Committee of the UDA Government as appeared in local papers on 18.10.2021. May God protect Nagaland from destruction.
