The quest for Naga Independence against colonial English and neo-colonial India brought to the fore, the existence of the Nagas as people and nation. Militarization of Naga issue resulted violent and bloody aggressions over a period of several decades across Naga country. The unflinching determination of Nagas forced India to devise various policies to dis-stablise Naga national movement. On the pretext of de-escalation of tension, peace and socio-economic development, gullible educated Nagas were lured to India’s interpretation of Naga sovereignty as myth. Nevertheless, the awakening of the Naga’s political and socio-economic consciousness may successively be attributed to the birth of Naga nationalism. The once isolated Naga hill tracts was gradually organised into a compact self-governing entity and finally the present Nagaland state was carved out of Assam state. It may be recalled that erstwhile Nagas under Assam state were a neglected minority lot with hardly any privileges or say even in governance of daily affairs.
On the whole, the Nagas were regarded as backward, ignorant, savages etc and were restricted from having any access to the outside world. Thus remained in dark seclusion while the rest of the world was enjoying the fruits of modernization and liberalization. The dramatic transformation of Nagas from primitive to modernity within a span of four, five decades- the driving forces behind such changes is the ‘Naga National Movement’.
The compromising determination of the Nagas in pursuit of her goal countered by India’s firm thrust to quell the same, serve as catalyst of transformation and changes.
Today, we see a paradigm shift in the entire political, economic and social scenario of the Nagas. The tremendous development of the Nagas specially in the filed of human resources global exposure, infrastructure and economic developments etc, despite ill-effects still stems from Naga freedom struggle. Had there been no Naga struggle, Nagas would have still remained stagnant and isolated under Assam state.
Like erstwhile administrative arrangement represented by lone legislature in the Assam legislative Assembly instead of what we have today, sixty MLA’s, two MP’s, sixty secretaries, etc with complete and unique autonomy. Though these achievements are not ‘final and ultimate’, yet we cannot deny the positive growth and progress brought about by the struggle.
The discriminative and hypocritical tendencies of certain affluent and enlightened sections of the Nagas especially those in the helm of affairs in repudiating the contributions of Naga national workers in the making of Nagaland today is quite paradoxical. Palatial buildings, fleet of luxury cars, children’s education in abroad, technocratic and bureaucratic exploitation, tax free business enterprises etc being harvested by this section directly or indirectly are but the exploits of Naga struggle and the fruits of the sacrifices of pioneer national workers.
For instances, millions of rupees are pumped into Nagaland and millions siphoned off every year, where as developments remain dismal, yet those white collared criminals are hardly brought to justice. Criminal investigations either by CBI, SIT, CID etc has never been conclusive, citing underground elements as threats and obstructions.
In some cases, vested underground elements may have abetted such crimes but on the whole, the deal is a bigger conspiracy of the assorted bureaucrats, politicians and high officials to escape accountability. The image of the National Workers is tarnished thus and plight of common toiling aggravated. The irony here is ‘artificial elite’ has emerged amongst the hitherto egalitarian Naga society, these elitists has not only become opinion makers of the day, but appallingly materialism is getting entrenched into the very core of our social foundation.
At this rate, their whims and fancies may one day become the accepted norms of the Nagas. Even the course of our National movement is in the danger of getting diluted by these elements.
Rather than acknowledging the sacrifices and contributions of the Naga freedom fighters, respect and honour the pride, ideals and ethos of revolution upon which we struggle, they stand to disavow, disunite and undermine the very cause, all but for covetous ambitions.
If not exaggerated, I may say with pride that, every single drop of Naga patriot’s blood that has been shed serves as a source of life of thousand Nagas.
Major General, Niki Sumi
People’s Army of Nagaland
GPRN/NSCN
