ZB Dyilan
The trail, the failures and the success of the Naga Nation is laid clear. The start with one accord for Naga people movement took great exodus from ignorance to many realities in the process of struggle. The Naga movement and its journey of struggle can be compared to Exodus of Isreal from Egyptian bondage to the promised land of freedom. In order to get to the Promised Land we have to negotiate through the wilderness of hardships. The Journey of six hundreds thousand men besides women and children of Israel took 40 days walk to 40 years long journey because of disobedience and complaints against God and the leaders. On the way, they revolted their leaders; some betrayed, some misled and some plotted treasons against the leaders and people.(Exodus 12:37). Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. God chose another leaders; Joshua and Caleb to continue the journey till the Promised Land. In the Nagas’ context, A.Z. Phizo had led the Nagas’ out of Bondage to Independent on the 14th August 1947 and declared Naga Nation before the world. The creation of Ceasefire 1964 and subsequent emergence of revolutionary group had weakened the NNC/FGN. The journey continued led by the weakened leader through thick and thin till 1975 when the Naga National Council succumbed to Shillong accord. The aftermath of the fatal wound of 1975, a necessity arose to revive, restore and heal the Naga Nation. Accordingly a great awakening took place at the creation of NSCN/GPRN in 1980 in the nick of time when the Naga Nation stood at the cross road of change. The events and the incidences before and at the time of the Shillong accord was like crossing the red sea. The new light of hope, have kindled the minds of the present generation amidst the seeming defeats. God had chosen new leaders. Under the collective leadership, the journey of common destination leads the Naga Nation like that of Joshua and Caleb to cross the Jordon of Naga final settlement. The collective leaderships have made remarkable achievements since the inception of a new journey till date; affiliation to UNPO recognised the Naga unique History, Internationalised the Naga issue, India recognised Naga National entity, Nagas’ case to be settled outside the box. Since recent past and present, there have been many undue events of fall away or breakaways groups distorting the common hope and journey of the Naga people. Nevertheless, the cause and the rights to self determination remain steadfast.
God said to Joshua, “be strong and be of good courage, be not frightened neither be dismayed; For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”- Joshua 1:9. When the new journey is in progress and the talk on the progressive move, let us come together, march together upward leaving behind us all factional interest and ideologies which are but factors that had divided and fragmented us in the past. We must denounce all that weaken and destroy our fibre and bond of unity and solidarity as one people and Nation. Let us press on forward without faltering or falling away from the path of truth that will ultimately set us Free.
Perceives that, we are inter-dependent being and not isolated Island or sovereign being. We need to seek the support of the neighbouring people and Nations in a very diplomatic approach. Sovereignty does not mean Freedom in its truest human term. It implies universal force over the people and land by Sovereign will of God. Not by man. Freedom is self reliance and power of choice in humanly term. We are to grow, sustain and obtain our freedom within our parameter with intra and international partnership. What is not right is impossible. What is right is possible. For right cannot be wronged or wrong cannot be righted. Let us know what our right vision is and go for it instead of wavering on what is humanly impossible. Let us stop the attitude of sectarianism, tribalism or factionalism and go for national sentimentalism with our common hope and goal in constant focus. We have no time to waste on trifle things. Let us focus and strive hard on together toward the mark our forbearers have set before us. Let us grow and go together with the rest of the Nations of the world.
